May 06

Despite the media coverage of makeover reality shows, the majority of Americans are not looking for extreme transformations. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, most of us want to look better, naturally, with 68-percent preferring a subtle change. And experts agree that looking your best could be accomplished at home for considerably less.

Dr. Linda Franks, a leader in the specialized skin care frontier, says “To get that timeless, healthy look you need to start with an appropriate skincare regime. Taking good care of your skin can stave off fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and even dry skin.”

Doctors say whatever your skin type, the key is to cleanse it gently. Avoid hot water and use lukewarm instead, to prevent over-drying. And throw in the towel - traditional washcloths are too abrasive for the face, so you should use your hands and fingers.

Sixty-eight-percent of women claim to have sensitive skin which means dry, tight, chapped or easily irritated skin. Moisturize regularly. Avoid harsh cleansers with ingredients such as fragrances, dyes and preservatives because sensitive skin is easily damaged and takes longer to recover.

If your skin is dry or easily irritated, don’t wash more than once a day. You may risk stripping the skin of its natural oils. Look for non-irritating cleansing washes that are soap-free. Use light, oil-free, water-based moisturizers to help maintain the skin’s natural barrier. Make sure to choose a facial moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15, which protects against both UVB and UVA rays.

Skin sensitivity may also result from the third most common, non-surgical skincare procedure known as Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a quick and easy, non-invasive procedure that helps to reveal healthier-looking skin by sweeping away dead skin cells. Dr. Franks reveals that, following the treatment, the best way to avoid irritation is by pting for an ultra-gentle cleanser and moisturizer. A new clinical study shows that PURPOSE gentle cleansing wash and dual treatment moisture lotion with spf 15 are compatible with this procedure.

How else are we to obtain optimal skin health? Dr. Franks says, “Exercise opens up blood vessels to make skin look healthy and youthful. It’s so important for healthy skin.” Regular cardiovascular exercise increases blood flow to the skin which assists in collagen production. Maintaining muscle mass through exercise can also help anchor and support skin, keeping it soft. And drink up! At least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water a day are crucial for optimal skin hydration.

So before you sign on for an extreme and expensive makeover, just think back on some simple, beauty basics! You just might like what you see!

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Mar 25

If you are looking for the best anti aging cream, you may have your work cut out for you. There are just dozens on the market, and it may be quite a task to find the one that is suited to you. Fortunately, there are ways you can check out the quality of the various products on offer before you plunk down a small fortune.

Clear the field right up front by refusing to buy a product that contains harsh chemicals. The best anti aging creams are those that are made with all natural ingredients. A list of anti aging creams made entirely of all natural ingredients will be short and high quality. Be sure to study your choices carefully and know what each one is made of before you make your final purchase. Even some natural ingredients may be too strong for extremely sensitive skin.

One way to be sure you know what is in your skin care products is to make them yourself. By doing this, you will be sure that you have the best anti aging cream. You can find good recipes online that will be sure to nourish your skin. Whether it’s cleansers, toners, moisturizers, or facial masks, you can make them all yourself. Once you have found some recipes you like, you can adjust them as needed to suit your skin perfectly.

However, if you feel that creating your own products might be a bit much for you, you can always go with a good natural commercial product. With careful shopping you can still locate the best anti aging cream for you. Look online for reviews of the various products. When you read what others say about the products and you review their ingredients lists, you will save yourself a lot of trial and error and legwork. Armed with this information, you can go to the store with a clear idea of what product you want.

Of course, the best anti aging cream for one person may not be the best for another. We each have our own unique skin. What works for you may not work for your friend or even your sibling. People who have sensitive skin have to be extra careful to find products that will not cause irritation. In this case, the best anti aging cream will be a hypoallergenic product.

Don’t let the vast array of choices get you down. Just take your time. Do careful research and even more careful shopping. It will pay off in your finding a perfect product that should work for you for a good long time. Be sure you keep your skin type in mind. Is your skin dry, combination, or oily? You will want to select a product that is designed to suit your specific needs. In that way you will avoid having the product make your skin problems worse instead of better.

When you have found the best anti aging cream to suit all your criteria, you will want to stay with it and maintain a regular skin care routine. By being gentle to your skin and avoiding sun exposure, you will protect it from damage. Be sure to cleanse and moisturize your skin daily. If you take good care of your skin, it will be far less likely to show signs of aging.

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Sep 04

What are parabens and why is there a growing movement by consumers of personal, beauty, cosmetics and skin care products towards paraben free skin care products and other products?

Parabens are a class of chemicals that are used as preservatives of a wide range of personal products like shaving creams, moisturizers, cosmetics, shampoos and skin care products. If you have some of those to hand at home look on the label and see if parabens are listed there.

They are extremely effective as anti bacterial and anti fungicidal agents, hence their use. They have been used as preservatives for many years.

But there is now some questioning of the safety of using parabens in our personal products that are applied right onto our skin. Why?

When you apply a product to the skin the parabens are absorbed almost immediately and are found in your blood soon after. This doesn’t mean they’re dangerous, but it’s not a nice thought.

But there are studies linking parabens to a range of cancers including breast cancer and other studies have suggested that they may have a hormonal effect on the body. And they have been linked to skin rashes and more. They are thought to disrupt the endocrine system.

And none of it is fully proven and it’s not even clear when something is fully proven, and of course the big companies argue it’s all a storm in a teacup.

Regardless some people aren’t convinced and are looking for paraben free products like skincare products on the principal that it’s better not to take the risk if you don’t need to.

There’s no need to use anything that may cause health problems.

Why use it indeed. There are other more natural preservatives available that work well, so why do the big companies still use parabens? It’s all about profit. Parabens are much cheaper than the more natural alternatives.

So although there is no conclusive studies proving that parabens are dangerous many people are looking for parabens free products. There really are excellent paraben free alternatives that are available right now. And they work well.

Find out on my website where to source safer alternatives to modern skin care products that actually work better.

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