Showing posts with label Skin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skin. Show all posts
Friday, 6 January 2012
0
Friday, 6 January 2012
Ramit Hooda
There must be some truth to the saying, “You are what you eat,” if the health of one’s skin is any indication. While many people spend a fortune in getting their skin to glow as healthily and as attractively as possible, it is actually possible to enjoy glowing skin simply by altering your diet. Does this mean you can stop reaching for that bottle of cleanser or trying out every brand of moisturizer in the market?
Indeed, before you spend another cent on a new brand, in hopes of finally having the skin you want, why don’t you check out the following food choices to add to your diet? These are considered the best choices if you want to enjoy healthy skin:
1. Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes are not only healthy options if you want to keep your weight down, they are also known for working magic on one’s complexion. This is because sweet potatoes come with beta carotene, a red-, orange-, and yellow-pigmented antioxidant that helps fight against the damage that your skin undergoes as a result of sun exposure. If you want to enjoy the full benefits of this starchy food, keep the skin on and you will get an extra serving of fiber.
2. Salmon – This fish high in omega-3 fatty acids benefits your skin by giving you more softness and luster. This is largely due to the high level of healthy fats nourishing your skin by reducing the production of substances in the body that increase the risk of inflammation. It also helps decrease the possibility of your pores getting clogged, while also preventing wrinkles and fine lines. To make sure you never forget to give your skin a healthy boost, buy extra salmon fillets from the market and keep them in the freezer.
3. Snapper – This is another tropical fish that is high in healthy fats, and it even comes with another booster for your skin: selenium. This mineral helps in reducing the possibility of sunburn and helps you enjoy an even skin tone. If the skin of the fish itself is any indication, you might notice that it is typically served skin-side-up in restaurants to boast of its luminous scales. To avoid the extra oil in frying, you can bake snappers with a little olive oil and some almonds—a combination that will also greatly benefit your skin and your body overall.
4. Kiwi – This tangy-sweet fruit is another hero for supple skin. This is because of the high levels of vitamin C that this fruit has over every other fruit. This vitamin is well known for maintaining the collagen in skin, which keeps it firm. Unfortunately, vitamin C can easily evaporate once it is exposed to water, heat, or air. Thus, the furry skin of kiwi is effective at keeping the nutrient locked in, making the fruit an ideal carrier of the vitamin. Cutting off the ends of a kiwi fruit makes it very easy to peel and eat.
5. Sunflower seeds – These seeds are a great source to keep the development of wrinkled saggy skin to a minimum. They boast of a high level of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant known for decelerating the aging of cells in the skin, making you look younger much longer. Scars are also another skin issue that vitamin E helps diminish. You can take sunflower seeds on their own as a snack or pair them with raisins for that nice sweet and savory combination.
6. Turkey – Turkey contains high levels of zinc, a mineral that helps maintain elastin and collagen in the skin, giving you the perfect balance of firmness and elasticity. Be sure to choose smoked or roasted turkey to keep it as healthy as possible. Steer clear from flavoured varieties as they come with much salt additives and sugar. You can opt to toss your turkey with spinach leaves for a healthy salad instead of relying on a sandwich-version of the healthy poultry.
7. Tea – While the body needs at least 8-10 glasses of liquids each day, experts recommend alternating water with hot tea or iced tea minus the sweetener. Both green and black tea is high with antioxidants that fight acne.
Add these items into your daily diet and your friends will wind up wondering why your skin glows more healthily than ever!
read more
7 Foods for Healthy Skin
Indeed, before you spend another cent on a new brand, in hopes of finally having the skin you want, why don’t you check out the following food choices to add to your diet? These are considered the best choices if you want to enjoy healthy skin:
1. Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes are not only healthy options if you want to keep your weight down, they are also known for working magic on one’s complexion. This is because sweet potatoes come with beta carotene, a red-, orange-, and yellow-pigmented antioxidant that helps fight against the damage that your skin undergoes as a result of sun exposure. If you want to enjoy the full benefits of this starchy food, keep the skin on and you will get an extra serving of fiber.
2. Salmon – This fish high in omega-3 fatty acids benefits your skin by giving you more softness and luster. This is largely due to the high level of healthy fats nourishing your skin by reducing the production of substances in the body that increase the risk of inflammation. It also helps decrease the possibility of your pores getting clogged, while also preventing wrinkles and fine lines. To make sure you never forget to give your skin a healthy boost, buy extra salmon fillets from the market and keep them in the freezer.
3. Snapper – This is another tropical fish that is high in healthy fats, and it even comes with another booster for your skin: selenium. This mineral helps in reducing the possibility of sunburn and helps you enjoy an even skin tone. If the skin of the fish itself is any indication, you might notice that it is typically served skin-side-up in restaurants to boast of its luminous scales. To avoid the extra oil in frying, you can bake snappers with a little olive oil and some almonds—a combination that will also greatly benefit your skin and your body overall.
4. Kiwi – This tangy-sweet fruit is another hero for supple skin. This is because of the high levels of vitamin C that this fruit has over every other fruit. This vitamin is well known for maintaining the collagen in skin, which keeps it firm. Unfortunately, vitamin C can easily evaporate once it is exposed to water, heat, or air. Thus, the furry skin of kiwi is effective at keeping the nutrient locked in, making the fruit an ideal carrier of the vitamin. Cutting off the ends of a kiwi fruit makes it very easy to peel and eat.
5. Sunflower seeds – These seeds are a great source to keep the development of wrinkled saggy skin to a minimum. They boast of a high level of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant known for decelerating the aging of cells in the skin, making you look younger much longer. Scars are also another skin issue that vitamin E helps diminish. You can take sunflower seeds on their own as a snack or pair them with raisins for that nice sweet and savory combination.
6. Turkey – Turkey contains high levels of zinc, a mineral that helps maintain elastin and collagen in the skin, giving you the perfect balance of firmness and elasticity. Be sure to choose smoked or roasted turkey to keep it as healthy as possible. Steer clear from flavoured varieties as they come with much salt additives and sugar. You can opt to toss your turkey with spinach leaves for a healthy salad instead of relying on a sandwich-version of the healthy poultry.
7. Tea – While the body needs at least 8-10 glasses of liquids each day, experts recommend alternating water with hot tea or iced tea minus the sweetener. Both green and black tea is high with antioxidants that fight acne.
Add these items into your daily diet and your friends will wind up wondering why your skin glows more healthily than ever!
Thursday, 5 January 2012
0
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Ramit Hooda
Lemons, tomatoes, papaya, bananas, eggs are a few to name that top the list of leftovers in the fridge. Its time to stop fretting about wastage and the money spent.
We tell you a few ways of using it wisely...
Lemons are very good for hair. Wash your hair with lemons. It is very good for oily and greasy hair. It has excellent nourishing properties like Vitamins B and A. This will take care of the dandruff and get rid of similar scalp problems.
Leftover bananas that changes colour to black are very useful in making your skin glow. Overripe bananas are very high in vitamin A, B and E, all of which benefit the skin. Mash a banana and put it all over your face till it completely dies up and rinse off after 15-20 minutes.
Papayas are good cleansers. It has Enzyme Papain which removes blemishes and rejuvenates an undernourished skin. Mash papayas and mix some honey to make a pack which you can smear all over your hands, neck and face. Wash after 15-20 minutes for a blemish free skin.
Eggs works wonders for skin and hair. Mix egg white with mayo and honey to make a thick paste. This can be applied to your hair as well. Egg has pure protein which will make your hair strong and honey that will bring out the lustre that was till now lacking in your tresses.
So, leftover fruits, vegetables and even poultry can contribute to your healthy skin and hair. Next time you spot something lying in your refrigerator unused, you know what to do.
read more
Leftover fruits give you radiant skin
We tell you a few ways of using it wisely...
Lemons are very good for hair. Wash your hair with lemons. It is very good for oily and greasy hair. It has excellent nourishing properties like Vitamins B and A. This will take care of the dandruff and get rid of similar scalp problems.
Leftover bananas that changes colour to black are very useful in making your skin glow. Overripe bananas are very high in vitamin A, B and E, all of which benefit the skin. Mash a banana and put it all over your face till it completely dies up and rinse off after 15-20 minutes.
Papayas are good cleansers. It has Enzyme Papain which removes blemishes and rejuvenates an undernourished skin. Mash papayas and mix some honey to make a pack which you can smear all over your hands, neck and face. Wash after 15-20 minutes for a blemish free skin.
Eggs works wonders for skin and hair. Mix egg white with mayo and honey to make a thick paste. This can be applied to your hair as well. Egg has pure protein which will make your hair strong and honey that will bring out the lustre that was till now lacking in your tresses.
So, leftover fruits, vegetables and even poultry can contribute to your healthy skin and hair. Next time you spot something lying in your refrigerator unused, you know what to do.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
0
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Ramit Hooda
Many women are so concerned about how they look that they spend fortunes on moisturizers, exfoliators, and just about everything for the skin that comes up in the latest advertisements. But there are actually tested and proven ways to care for one’s skin that does not necessarily depend on the latest fads. Knowing how to cleanse your face properly is just as crucial as what you use to cleanse it, and knowing how to choose the right sunscreen and moisturizer is time-proven wisdom when it comes to skin care.
First of all, before you start with any of the skincare routines, you will need to know what your skin type is. The way you care for your skin is critically related to what type your skin is. A “skin test” will tell you what your skin type is. You can do this by washing your face; after that, pat it dry. Take some rice paper or tissue paper intended for lens cleaning. Press pieces of this paper onto different areas of your face. If the paper winds up sticking and picking up oily spots, and even becoming translucent, your skin is oily. If it does not stick or pick up any oily spots, you have dry skin. If it sticks only on the T-zone, or the area from your forehead, down your nose, to y our chin, then your skin is normal, or combination. Combination skin occurs in about 70% of women.
Now that you know your skin type, you can proceed with the basic 4-step regimen for taking care of your skin. The first step is cleansing. For cleansing, simplicity is the key. Find a good cleanser to which your skin responds well. Once you find that brand, stick with it. Typically, bar soaps should not even be in your list of choices, as they cause skin to dry out. For dry skin, a creamy cleanser is preferred, while oily skin works best with a clear cleanser. When you cleanse, be sure not to do it too often. A night ritual should be enough. For dry skin, a cold cream is a good choice, and you simply apply it and then wipe it off without using water. The water method may also be helpful: warm water helps loosen dirt as well as clogging in the pores. Then, use a bit of cleanser, a dollop the size of a dime, and then rinse it off with lukewarm or cool water. When you wake up in the morning, splashing lukewarm water may be all that is necessary to remove the extra oil coming from your night time moisturizing. Avoid washing your face using cold or hot water, as these can damage your capillaries.
The next step is to exfoliate. This is the step that most people forget over the week. But properly exfoliating one’s skin actually gives an almost instantaneous difference. In fact, experts believe that this is one reason why the skin on men’s faces tend to look more youthful compared to women’s: men unconsciously exfoliate whenever they shave. Good tools to use for exfoliating include a basic washcloth, exfoliating gloves, and a dry brush. A loofah tends to collect bacteria and is better off tossed in the trash. For the face, the suggested frequency for exfoliating is once to twice a week, using a scrub.
The third step is to moisturize. The purpose of moisturizers is to seal the moisture into the skin. This means that even oily skin can benefit from moisturizing. However, the amount of moisturizer you put on will depend on your skin. Just be sure not to overdo it, as moisturizing too much can cause clogged pores. In line with moisturizing, many experts recommend eye creams, because the area around the skin is apparently very thin and contains no fatty tissue. Eye creams are designed to help thicken this area. Then again, other beauty experts also believe that a regular lotion is just as effective on this area.
Lastly, do not forget to apply sunscreen. Sun damage has been found to be the leading cause of wrinkles, so even younger people can benefit from using sunscreen even on cloudy days. A great tip is to use two moisturizers: one for the day which contains sunscreen, and the other, with no sunscreen, for night time application, as sunscreen ingredients tend to aggravate skin when used 24/7.
read more
Basic Skin Care
First of all, before you start with any of the skincare routines, you will need to know what your skin type is. The way you care for your skin is critically related to what type your skin is. A “skin test” will tell you what your skin type is. You can do this by washing your face; after that, pat it dry. Take some rice paper or tissue paper intended for lens cleaning. Press pieces of this paper onto different areas of your face. If the paper winds up sticking and picking up oily spots, and even becoming translucent, your skin is oily. If it does not stick or pick up any oily spots, you have dry skin. If it sticks only on the T-zone, or the area from your forehead, down your nose, to y our chin, then your skin is normal, or combination. Combination skin occurs in about 70% of women.
Now that you know your skin type, you can proceed with the basic 4-step regimen for taking care of your skin. The first step is cleansing. For cleansing, simplicity is the key. Find a good cleanser to which your skin responds well. Once you find that brand, stick with it. Typically, bar soaps should not even be in your list of choices, as they cause skin to dry out. For dry skin, a creamy cleanser is preferred, while oily skin works best with a clear cleanser. When you cleanse, be sure not to do it too often. A night ritual should be enough. For dry skin, a cold cream is a good choice, and you simply apply it and then wipe it off without using water. The water method may also be helpful: warm water helps loosen dirt as well as clogging in the pores. Then, use a bit of cleanser, a dollop the size of a dime, and then rinse it off with lukewarm or cool water. When you wake up in the morning, splashing lukewarm water may be all that is necessary to remove the extra oil coming from your night time moisturizing. Avoid washing your face using cold or hot water, as these can damage your capillaries.
The next step is to exfoliate. This is the step that most people forget over the week. But properly exfoliating one’s skin actually gives an almost instantaneous difference. In fact, experts believe that this is one reason why the skin on men’s faces tend to look more youthful compared to women’s: men unconsciously exfoliate whenever they shave. Good tools to use for exfoliating include a basic washcloth, exfoliating gloves, and a dry brush. A loofah tends to collect bacteria and is better off tossed in the trash. For the face, the suggested frequency for exfoliating is once to twice a week, using a scrub.
The third step is to moisturize. The purpose of moisturizers is to seal the moisture into the skin. This means that even oily skin can benefit from moisturizing. However, the amount of moisturizer you put on will depend on your skin. Just be sure not to overdo it, as moisturizing too much can cause clogged pores. In line with moisturizing, many experts recommend eye creams, because the area around the skin is apparently very thin and contains no fatty tissue. Eye creams are designed to help thicken this area. Then again, other beauty experts also believe that a regular lotion is just as effective on this area.
Lastly, do not forget to apply sunscreen. Sun damage has been found to be the leading cause of wrinkles, so even younger people can benefit from using sunscreen even on cloudy days. A great tip is to use two moisturizers: one for the day which contains sunscreen, and the other, with no sunscreen, for night time application, as sunscreen ingredients tend to aggravate skin when used 24/7.
0
Ramit Hooda
If you have oily skin, you are likely prone to acne as well. This is just one of the disadvantages of having this skin type. Other downsides are having visibly larger pores and the embarrassing shine on the nose, forehead and cheeks, also known as the T-zone. Summertime is the worst season for someone who has oily skin hence the appropriate skin care regimen is needed to keep excess oil at bay. The right products are also needed to prevent acne from developing. In the following paragraphs, you will learn tips for proper acne and oily skin care.
Finding the right facial wash is a must for someone who has oily and acne-prone skin. Skin experts advise the use of a gentle cleanser that is oil-free and formulated with 2 percent salicylic acid to fight acne. This ingredient works by unclogging the pores with oil and dirt without leaving the skin dry. Remember to pick out a cream-type cleanser for the cold season and a foaming cleanser during the hot season. Cleanse your face twice a day, in the morning and evening. If acne leaves your skin reddish, you can use Aloe Vera gel as a natural facial cleanser. It is effective in reducing skin redness and contains natural ingredients that can treat pimples quickly.
The next step to an acne and oily skincare regimen is toning and moisturizing. Be careful in using products on oily skin type because harsh products can leave the skin dry. You don’t want this to happen because once the skin misses on moisture, the sebaceous glands will act double time to produce more sebum. So, to avoid this from happening, learn to treat your skin well by avoiding alcohol-based toners, hyrdroquinone and mineral oil. Serum or light lotion should be used as moisturizers for oily skin. Oil-free, water-based and hypoallergenic preparations are also recommended as to not leave the skin oilier. If there is a moisturizer brand that has acne-fighting formulations and SPF15 or higher, then that would be hitting two birds with one stone.
Exfoliation is also essential in keeping the skin shine and blemish free. Large pores, excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells are the perfect ingredients for pimples. Exfoliating your skin once or twice a week can clear pores with dead skin cells and stimulates new cells to form. Remember to use a gentle exfoliating scrub and be careful around blemishes as to not irritate and inflame your face all the more. After this, go ahead and pamper yourself with a facial mask. A deep-cleansing, clay-based mask can help tighten the pores, absorb excess oil and make your skin feel refreshed.
Moving on to makeup, a lot of women know how to care for oily and blemish-prone face but most of them fall short in choosing the right makeup for their skin type. For oily skin, using liquid foundation is not a good idea. Especially under the hot weather, oil-based liquid foundations will easily melt. If your face is oily and you don’t want to end up with blemished skin, it’s best if you use oil-free makeup like tinted moisturizers and mineral makeup. For a just-pinched look that lasts a long time, a powder or gel blush does the trick. Be sure to cleanse your face completely from makeup before retiring to bed.
Blotting paper is one of the niftiest beauty inventions. Use these to blot your face everytime you feel that you’re already shining with oil. It works well in touching up your makeup without smudging it. It is also better if you wear your makeup light to keep it from caking in the middle of the day. Another beauty trick to make your cosmetics intact all day and night is to use a makeup setting spray. Spray some on just before leaving the house.
Lastly, use acne spot treatments only if you have seasonal acne. Otherwise, consult a trusted dermatologist for prescription acne medication to address severe acne problems. Be careful in using acne treatments because most of them are too strong. It can also make the skin dry and sun sensitive so be sure to follow instructions carefully (acne medications are usually applied minimally and at night) and apply sunblock lotion. Following these helpful tips will ensure skin that is glowing with health and not with too much oil.
read more
Acne and Oily Skin Care Tips
Finding the right facial wash is a must for someone who has oily and acne-prone skin. Skin experts advise the use of a gentle cleanser that is oil-free and formulated with 2 percent salicylic acid to fight acne. This ingredient works by unclogging the pores with oil and dirt without leaving the skin dry. Remember to pick out a cream-type cleanser for the cold season and a foaming cleanser during the hot season. Cleanse your face twice a day, in the morning and evening. If acne leaves your skin reddish, you can use Aloe Vera gel as a natural facial cleanser. It is effective in reducing skin redness and contains natural ingredients that can treat pimples quickly.
The next step to an acne and oily skincare regimen is toning and moisturizing. Be careful in using products on oily skin type because harsh products can leave the skin dry. You don’t want this to happen because once the skin misses on moisture, the sebaceous glands will act double time to produce more sebum. So, to avoid this from happening, learn to treat your skin well by avoiding alcohol-based toners, hyrdroquinone and mineral oil. Serum or light lotion should be used as moisturizers for oily skin. Oil-free, water-based and hypoallergenic preparations are also recommended as to not leave the skin oilier. If there is a moisturizer brand that has acne-fighting formulations and SPF15 or higher, then that would be hitting two birds with one stone.
Exfoliation is also essential in keeping the skin shine and blemish free. Large pores, excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells are the perfect ingredients for pimples. Exfoliating your skin once or twice a week can clear pores with dead skin cells and stimulates new cells to form. Remember to use a gentle exfoliating scrub and be careful around blemishes as to not irritate and inflame your face all the more. After this, go ahead and pamper yourself with a facial mask. A deep-cleansing, clay-based mask can help tighten the pores, absorb excess oil and make your skin feel refreshed.
Moving on to makeup, a lot of women know how to care for oily and blemish-prone face but most of them fall short in choosing the right makeup for their skin type. For oily skin, using liquid foundation is not a good idea. Especially under the hot weather, oil-based liquid foundations will easily melt. If your face is oily and you don’t want to end up with blemished skin, it’s best if you use oil-free makeup like tinted moisturizers and mineral makeup. For a just-pinched look that lasts a long time, a powder or gel blush does the trick. Be sure to cleanse your face completely from makeup before retiring to bed.
Blotting paper is one of the niftiest beauty inventions. Use these to blot your face everytime you feel that you’re already shining with oil. It works well in touching up your makeup without smudging it. It is also better if you wear your makeup light to keep it from caking in the middle of the day. Another beauty trick to make your cosmetics intact all day and night is to use a makeup setting spray. Spray some on just before leaving the house.
Lastly, use acne spot treatments only if you have seasonal acne. Otherwise, consult a trusted dermatologist for prescription acne medication to address severe acne problems. Be careful in using acne treatments because most of them are too strong. It can also make the skin dry and sun sensitive so be sure to follow instructions carefully (acne medications are usually applied minimally and at night) and apply sunblock lotion. Following these helpful tips will ensure skin that is glowing with health and not with too much oil.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
0
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Ramit Hooda
The lips are among the body parts that many women are so preoccupied about, with a big percentage envying and wishing they had the attractive, pouty lips they see in the movies on in advertisements. But there is another reason why women pay attention to their lips: when puckering becomes too painful and pursing their lips becomes almost unbearable.
Chapped lips are actually more common than anybody would guess, as they can easily be caused by harsh winters, dry indoor conditions with high temperatures, or even the habit of licking one’s lips constantly. All of these contribute to drying out the skin on one’s lips by causing any moisture to evaporate from them. Eventually, this will result in cracked, rough, and sensitive lips that keep you from making even the slightest smiles.
Not only is protecting one’s lips crucial for keeping a pretty appearance and daily comfort, health issues are also at stake. Lips damaged by chapping tend to be breeding grounds for bacterial infections, cold sores, as well as many other problems. Whatever your reason for healing your chapped lips, the following tips should prove helpful:
1. Avoid licking – While licking your lips might make you feel better, it is actually just a temporary relief, and you will wind up making things worse. Think of how constantly washing one’s hands dries it out; this is also what happens when you lick your lips constantly: your lips get exposed to water repeatedly, subsequently robbing moisture from your skin. The end-result would be lips that are increasingly dry.
2. Use a protective barrier – For this, you can apply petroleum jelly on your lips, or apply lip balm, if you prefer having a nice scent or taste. Thankfully, there are many brands of lip balm now available in the market, and no prescription is needed. From the different scents and flavors, pick the one that you like; this way, you will have no qualms about using it frequently. Lip balms are mostly greasy or waxy, and they work by sealing in the moisture with their protective barrier.
3. Use sunscreen – While you will probably not be able to use your regular sunscreen on your lips, the point is that you understand how the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun can be just as damaging, if not more, on the sensitive skin on a person’s lips as they can be on skin on other body parts. This is because the lips do not contain melanin, or the pigmentation that protects the skin from UV rays. You can apply sunscreen on your lips by picking a lip balm that has sunscreen. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15.
4. Use lipstick – Women who already use lipstick may not need to be told to do so. Studies have indeed shown that older women had a lower risk of developing skin damage on their lips compared to older men, and speculation revolves around lipstick being the helpful barrier. Lipstick apparently offers a certain degree of protection against UV rays, and it also functions as a moisturizer. If you can find lipstick that comes with sunscreen, it would be even better.
5. Check your toothpaste – Some toothpastes or mouthwash may be to blame for your lips becoming rough and red, perhaps due to an allergy. If none of the above seems to help, consider using other brands of toothpaste or skipping your mouthwash over a few days. Also remember to rinse well after you brush.
6. Watch what passes your lips – Chapped lips are more sensitive, and there are certain types of food that may cause more irritation than others. If your lips are chapped, try to steer clear of acidic foods like orange juice, barbecue sauce, or pepper, as well as alcoholic beverages and mustard, to give your lips a chance to heal properly.
From these simple tips, you should be more informed about the proper way to care for your lips, not just when they are damaged but also for daily care. Once you are armed with the right information, you can very well kiss your chapped lips goodbye, and enjoy those sweet kissers puckering anytime you want without any pain or discomfort.
read more
Home Remedies for Chapped Lips
Chapped lips are actually more common than anybody would guess, as they can easily be caused by harsh winters, dry indoor conditions with high temperatures, or even the habit of licking one’s lips constantly. All of these contribute to drying out the skin on one’s lips by causing any moisture to evaporate from them. Eventually, this will result in cracked, rough, and sensitive lips that keep you from making even the slightest smiles.
Not only is protecting one’s lips crucial for keeping a pretty appearance and daily comfort, health issues are also at stake. Lips damaged by chapping tend to be breeding grounds for bacterial infections, cold sores, as well as many other problems. Whatever your reason for healing your chapped lips, the following tips should prove helpful:
1. Avoid licking – While licking your lips might make you feel better, it is actually just a temporary relief, and you will wind up making things worse. Think of how constantly washing one’s hands dries it out; this is also what happens when you lick your lips constantly: your lips get exposed to water repeatedly, subsequently robbing moisture from your skin. The end-result would be lips that are increasingly dry.
2. Use a protective barrier – For this, you can apply petroleum jelly on your lips, or apply lip balm, if you prefer having a nice scent or taste. Thankfully, there are many brands of lip balm now available in the market, and no prescription is needed. From the different scents and flavors, pick the one that you like; this way, you will have no qualms about using it frequently. Lip balms are mostly greasy or waxy, and they work by sealing in the moisture with their protective barrier.
3. Use sunscreen – While you will probably not be able to use your regular sunscreen on your lips, the point is that you understand how the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun can be just as damaging, if not more, on the sensitive skin on a person’s lips as they can be on skin on other body parts. This is because the lips do not contain melanin, or the pigmentation that protects the skin from UV rays. You can apply sunscreen on your lips by picking a lip balm that has sunscreen. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15.
4. Use lipstick – Women who already use lipstick may not need to be told to do so. Studies have indeed shown that older women had a lower risk of developing skin damage on their lips compared to older men, and speculation revolves around lipstick being the helpful barrier. Lipstick apparently offers a certain degree of protection against UV rays, and it also functions as a moisturizer. If you can find lipstick that comes with sunscreen, it would be even better.
5. Check your toothpaste – Some toothpastes or mouthwash may be to blame for your lips becoming rough and red, perhaps due to an allergy. If none of the above seems to help, consider using other brands of toothpaste or skipping your mouthwash over a few days. Also remember to rinse well after you brush.
6. Watch what passes your lips – Chapped lips are more sensitive, and there are certain types of food that may cause more irritation than others. If your lips are chapped, try to steer clear of acidic foods like orange juice, barbecue sauce, or pepper, as well as alcoholic beverages and mustard, to give your lips a chance to heal properly.
From these simple tips, you should be more informed about the proper way to care for your lips, not just when they are damaged but also for daily care. Once you are armed with the right information, you can very well kiss your chapped lips goodbye, and enjoy those sweet kissers puckering anytime you want without any pain or discomfort.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
0
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Ramit Hooda
The importance of skincare, however, cannot be overlooked, if you want all round self confidence which adds to looking sexy. As people get older their skin tends to lose the suppleness, firmness, vitality, and glow. Bring that sexy young skin back with these skin care tips.
1. Skin Creams- There are thousands of skin creams in the market. Some are very effective if used properly. The problem with most of these special skin creams is that once you stop using them the improvements revert. Look for skin creams that include alpha hydroxy acids, kinetin, coenzyme 10, or antioxidants. Researchers found these ingredients bring rapid results and the sexy glow back to dull dry skin.
2. Pay close attention - Observe your skin for any imperfections. If there are acne, pimples or irregular patches, visit your dermatologist to determine the root cause of your problem. It may be the food you eat, or your lack of sleep. It can also be hormonal. Before you can even think of smearing your face with irritating creams, determine the cause of your skin problem and eradicate it. Eliminating the root problem will solve your problem once and for all. In serious, incurable skin conditions, plastic surgery may be an option.
3. Personal hygiene is important - Sexy skin is clean skin. Washing your face before going to bed is one routine facial skin care that you should do. This simple personal hygiene will eliminate make-up, dirt, dust and oil on your skin and face. Going to bed with the dirt, oil and grime still on your face will allow them to lodge deeply into your skin pores causing blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Your skin would not be able to breathe too because oil and dirt has clogged its pathway to fresh air.
4. Try cutting down on alcohol - Alcohol contains acetaldehyde, which is its active component. Acetaldehyde has the property to keratinize cells too. It can cause irreversible liver cirrhosis. If this substance can do that to the liver then how much can it do to your skin? Alcohol also causes malnutrition, because it prevents the proper re-absorption of essential nutrients, which are vital to health.
5. Feed you skin from the inside - Nutrition, good fats, eating healthy and exercising are of course basics you need to follow for healthy, sexy, glowing skin. Read more tips on great skin with emphasis on nutrition.
read more
Tips for smooth and sexy skin
1. Skin Creams- There are thousands of skin creams in the market. Some are very effective if used properly. The problem with most of these special skin creams is that once you stop using them the improvements revert. Look for skin creams that include alpha hydroxy acids, kinetin, coenzyme 10, or antioxidants. Researchers found these ingredients bring rapid results and the sexy glow back to dull dry skin.
2. Pay close attention - Observe your skin for any imperfections. If there are acne, pimples or irregular patches, visit your dermatologist to determine the root cause of your problem. It may be the food you eat, or your lack of sleep. It can also be hormonal. Before you can even think of smearing your face with irritating creams, determine the cause of your skin problem and eradicate it. Eliminating the root problem will solve your problem once and for all. In serious, incurable skin conditions, plastic surgery may be an option.
3. Personal hygiene is important - Sexy skin is clean skin. Washing your face before going to bed is one routine facial skin care that you should do. This simple personal hygiene will eliminate make-up, dirt, dust and oil on your skin and face. Going to bed with the dirt, oil and grime still on your face will allow them to lodge deeply into your skin pores causing blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Your skin would not be able to breathe too because oil and dirt has clogged its pathway to fresh air.
4. Try cutting down on alcohol - Alcohol contains acetaldehyde, which is its active component. Acetaldehyde has the property to keratinize cells too. It can cause irreversible liver cirrhosis. If this substance can do that to the liver then how much can it do to your skin? Alcohol also causes malnutrition, because it prevents the proper re-absorption of essential nutrients, which are vital to health.
5. Feed you skin from the inside - Nutrition, good fats, eating healthy and exercising are of course basics you need to follow for healthy, sexy, glowing skin. Read more tips on great skin with emphasis on nutrition.
Monday, 26 December 2011
0
Monday, 26 December 2011
Ramit Hooda
Not only do tomatoes taste great but they also keep the skin healthy. It is necessary to consume tomatoes as they have lycopene, which is an antioxidant and hence works as a sunscreen from within. These antioxidants make tomato an anti-aging product as they help in fighting cellular damage and reddening of skin.
It is recommended to have at least 16 milligrams of lycopene per day as they reduce the number of free radicals in the body and also help to retain the moisture in people who are used to sitting in air-conditioned environs. You don't need to spend your hard-earned money on expensive cosmetic treatments if you follow these simple steps to get healthy-looking skin:
Big pores? Shrink Them
Big pores provide easy access to dirt and grime thus increasing the chances of infecting the pore. Take a tablespoon of fresh tomato juice. Add two to four drops of fresh lime juice to this. Use a cotton ball to apply this mixture on your face. Massage it in circular motions. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash off with cool water. Regular application will shrink pores greatly.
Acne healing
The acidity in tomatoes helps in reducing and clearing up your acne. Vitamin A and vitamin C are commonly found in a lot of acne medicines and tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K. If you have mild acne, cut a tomato in half and apply the inside on your face. For severe acne mash a fresh tomato and use the pulp as a pack on the face. Leave it on for an hour. Rinse it off and moisturise. Do this on a regular basis or as many times as you can. Your acne is bound to dry off soon.
Astringent
If you have oily skin and struggle to keep your face from shining like a fried papad, tomato is the solution to your agony. Crush a fresh tomato and strain it. Make a little cucumber juice and add it to the tomato juice. Apply this juice with a cotton ball daily to control excessive oiliness and acne.
Good to eat, great to clean
A tomato and avocado mask works wonders on combination skin. This is because tomato works as an astringent as well as a blackhead and oil-reducing agent while avocados have an antiseptic and moisturising effect. A pack of mashed tomatoes and avocados help in soothing and cleansing combination skin (oily and dry), as they are rich in vitamin A, C and E. Apply this pack and wash off after 20 o 30 minutes with lukewarm water.
Burns no more
Summer is fast approaching and with harsh summer comes burnt, inflamed skin. A lot of people's skin gets sunburnt, raw and itchy due to exposure to the sun. Crush half a tomato and mix it with two tablespoons of plain yogurt. Apply this concoction on face, neck, hands and feet. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Tomato cools the skin and neutralises the surface while yogurt gives it a much needed protein boost while leaving it soft and supple.
Glowing skin
Mix honey with tomato juice until you get a thick paste. Apply this mixture and wash off after 15 minutes for smooth and glowing skin.
read more
Tomato for clear skin
It is recommended to have at least 16 milligrams of lycopene per day as they reduce the number of free radicals in the body and also help to retain the moisture in people who are used to sitting in air-conditioned environs. You don't need to spend your hard-earned money on expensive cosmetic treatments if you follow these simple steps to get healthy-looking skin:
Big pores? Shrink Them
Big pores provide easy access to dirt and grime thus increasing the chances of infecting the pore. Take a tablespoon of fresh tomato juice. Add two to four drops of fresh lime juice to this. Use a cotton ball to apply this mixture on your face. Massage it in circular motions. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash off with cool water. Regular application will shrink pores greatly.
Acne healing
The acidity in tomatoes helps in reducing and clearing up your acne. Vitamin A and vitamin C are commonly found in a lot of acne medicines and tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K. If you have mild acne, cut a tomato in half and apply the inside on your face. For severe acne mash a fresh tomato and use the pulp as a pack on the face. Leave it on for an hour. Rinse it off and moisturise. Do this on a regular basis or as many times as you can. Your acne is bound to dry off soon.
Astringent
If you have oily skin and struggle to keep your face from shining like a fried papad, tomato is the solution to your agony. Crush a fresh tomato and strain it. Make a little cucumber juice and add it to the tomato juice. Apply this juice with a cotton ball daily to control excessive oiliness and acne.
Good to eat, great to clean
A tomato and avocado mask works wonders on combination skin. This is because tomato works as an astringent as well as a blackhead and oil-reducing agent while avocados have an antiseptic and moisturising effect. A pack of mashed tomatoes and avocados help in soothing and cleansing combination skin (oily and dry), as they are rich in vitamin A, C and E. Apply this pack and wash off after 20 o 30 minutes with lukewarm water.
Burns no more
Summer is fast approaching and with harsh summer comes burnt, inflamed skin. A lot of people's skin gets sunburnt, raw and itchy due to exposure to the sun. Crush half a tomato and mix it with two tablespoons of plain yogurt. Apply this concoction on face, neck, hands and feet. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Tomato cools the skin and neutralises the surface while yogurt gives it a much needed protein boost while leaving it soft and supple.
Glowing skin
Mix honey with tomato juice until you get a thick paste. Apply this mixture and wash off after 15 minutes for smooth and glowing skin.
0
Ramit Hooda
Papaya is considered a wonderful wholesome fruit as it meets with some of our most essential vitamins, minerals and protein needs. Both ripe and raw papaya can be used to rejuvenate the skin. Ripe papaya is excellent for exfoliation of the skin and brings about newer looking skin and generally suits all skin types.
Recipe for skin rejuvenation:
1/2 cup ripe papaya pulp, 1/4 cup coconut milk, 1/4 cup of oat flakes. Run the mixture on your face and neck gently for about 5 minutes. Wash off with milk and water and notice the glow for yourself.
Recipe for skin glow:
1/2 cup ripe papaya pulp, 4 tsps orange juice, 4 tsps carrot juice, 1 tsp honey or glycerin. Mix the above ingredients and apply or massage the pack all over the face and neck.
Regular applications of the above two-treatments can do wonders to the face.
read more
Papaya recipes for your skin
Recipe for skin rejuvenation:
1/2 cup ripe papaya pulp, 1/4 cup coconut milk, 1/4 cup of oat flakes. Run the mixture on your face and neck gently for about 5 minutes. Wash off with milk and water and notice the glow for yourself.
Recipe for skin glow:
1/2 cup ripe papaya pulp, 4 tsps orange juice, 4 tsps carrot juice, 1 tsp honey or glycerin. Mix the above ingredients and apply or massage the pack all over the face and neck.
Regular applications of the above two-treatments can do wonders to the face.
Sunday, 25 December 2011
0
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Ramit Hooda
Dry skin may be something you have lived with for your entire life without really bothering to do anything about it. But if you are like most women, you will likely wish your skin was not quite so dry, and will likely be on the lookout for skin care products that would ease the condition.
The good news is, there are ways to get around your dry skin without spending a fortune, and also without risking unnecessary side effects. Many home remedies have been known to ease the problem of dry skin without burning a hole in your pocket—or on your skin.
1. Olive oil – The ancient civilizations may have been onto something when they discovered the value of the olive plant. Crushing the olives in what they called olive presses caused the oils to come out over several stages. The first oil released, known as extra-virgin olive oil, were used primarily as medicine, while the next batch was used for topical treatments and cleansing-related treatments. Indeed, the use of olive oil for the skin has been around ever since the Egyptian civilization. For modern use, olive oil continues to be hailed as an effective moisturizer, as it penetrates deep into your skin. Extra-virgin olive oil is considered the best for skin care; apply it after your shower to keep the moisture locked in. Unfortunately, you might not like smelling like a fried egg throughout the day, so you can actually mix some lemon or other essential oils before you apply the olive oil.
2. Baking soda – Baking soda is another kitchen cupboard item that seems to be effective at treating a myriad of ailments, including dry skin. To apply it to your skin, make a paste with a little baking soda mixed with water, and then apply it on the affected areas. If you want to enjoy overall relief, you can soak in a tub of water mixed with one cup of baking soda. Just remember to apply moisturizer after such a bath or even after applying some baking soda to small skin areas.
3. Oatmeal – Before you excitedly snip off the package of your instant oatmeal sachet hoping for a quick cure for dry skin, listen up: the oatmeal used for skin care are plain oats, not the sugar-laden version that comprises our instant cooking oatmeal. You can use plain oatmeal either as a face mask or as a bath. You can choose to cook the oatmeal or use it raw, as it apparently works both ways, but you will need to find what works best for you. If you choose to use uncooked oatmeal, add egg whites or honey to achieve the sticking consistency you need. If you want, you can actually add olive oil or baking soda to your oatmeal mask for an even higher efficacy in fighting dry skin. When it comes to oatmeal baths, you will need colloidal oats, or oats which have been ground into a fine powder, to make them dissolve in the water. You can actually do this yourself, using a blender, a coffee grounder, or a food processor. Once you have this powder-form of oatmeal, put it in your bath and enjoy. Just be sure to apply moisturizer after your bath.
4. Apple cider vinegar – This is also a well-known product that does well to improve your skin when added to a bath. Of course, this tends to smell even more strongly than the fried-egg smell of olive oil, so you will probably enjoy it more when you add some sweet-smelling oils, like rosemary or lavender. After your bath, remember to moisturize.
5. Coffee grounds – This is probably the least expected product for a home remedy for dry skin. What coffee grounds do, though, is to act as an exfoliating agent. When you shower, just rub the affected areas with coffee grounds. Of course, you can put the coffee grounds inside a muslin bag, as you cannot exactly just hold them in your hands. Use this bag as an exfoliating agent during your shower, helping you remove dead, dry skin cells. Once again, be sure to moisturize after your shower.
Hopefully you can find a favorite remedy among these top 5 performers for fighting dry skin. The best part is that you do not even need to head out to skin care shops anymore as all of these are easily found in the pantry!
read more
5 Home Remedies for Dry Skin
The good news is, there are ways to get around your dry skin without spending a fortune, and also without risking unnecessary side effects. Many home remedies have been known to ease the problem of dry skin without burning a hole in your pocket—or on your skin.
1. Olive oil – The ancient civilizations may have been onto something when they discovered the value of the olive plant. Crushing the olives in what they called olive presses caused the oils to come out over several stages. The first oil released, known as extra-virgin olive oil, were used primarily as medicine, while the next batch was used for topical treatments and cleansing-related treatments. Indeed, the use of olive oil for the skin has been around ever since the Egyptian civilization. For modern use, olive oil continues to be hailed as an effective moisturizer, as it penetrates deep into your skin. Extra-virgin olive oil is considered the best for skin care; apply it after your shower to keep the moisture locked in. Unfortunately, you might not like smelling like a fried egg throughout the day, so you can actually mix some lemon or other essential oils before you apply the olive oil.
2. Baking soda – Baking soda is another kitchen cupboard item that seems to be effective at treating a myriad of ailments, including dry skin. To apply it to your skin, make a paste with a little baking soda mixed with water, and then apply it on the affected areas. If you want to enjoy overall relief, you can soak in a tub of water mixed with one cup of baking soda. Just remember to apply moisturizer after such a bath or even after applying some baking soda to small skin areas.
3. Oatmeal – Before you excitedly snip off the package of your instant oatmeal sachet hoping for a quick cure for dry skin, listen up: the oatmeal used for skin care are plain oats, not the sugar-laden version that comprises our instant cooking oatmeal. You can use plain oatmeal either as a face mask or as a bath. You can choose to cook the oatmeal or use it raw, as it apparently works both ways, but you will need to find what works best for you. If you choose to use uncooked oatmeal, add egg whites or honey to achieve the sticking consistency you need. If you want, you can actually add olive oil or baking soda to your oatmeal mask for an even higher efficacy in fighting dry skin. When it comes to oatmeal baths, you will need colloidal oats, or oats which have been ground into a fine powder, to make them dissolve in the water. You can actually do this yourself, using a blender, a coffee grounder, or a food processor. Once you have this powder-form of oatmeal, put it in your bath and enjoy. Just be sure to apply moisturizer after your bath.
4. Apple cider vinegar – This is also a well-known product that does well to improve your skin when added to a bath. Of course, this tends to smell even more strongly than the fried-egg smell of olive oil, so you will probably enjoy it more when you add some sweet-smelling oils, like rosemary or lavender. After your bath, remember to moisturize.
5. Coffee grounds – This is probably the least expected product for a home remedy for dry skin. What coffee grounds do, though, is to act as an exfoliating agent. When you shower, just rub the affected areas with coffee grounds. Of course, you can put the coffee grounds inside a muslin bag, as you cannot exactly just hold them in your hands. Use this bag as an exfoliating agent during your shower, helping you remove dead, dry skin cells. Once again, be sure to moisturize after your shower.
Hopefully you can find a favorite remedy among these top 5 performers for fighting dry skin. The best part is that you do not even need to head out to skin care shops anymore as all of these are easily found in the pantry!
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