Monday, July 5, 2010
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Organic Skin Care: A Beginner's Guide
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The trend these days is toward going organic and healthy in all aspects of life. And with good reason! Using natural products in your home is good for the environment and good for you. One of the best ways you can care for yourself naturally is by using organic skin care. Organic skin care products are superior to standard skin care in many different ways. Most standard skin care products are filled with chemicals and other ingredients, and some experts are now saying that we can’t be sure what kind of effect they may have on our skin over time. Considering the fact that many skin care products include aluminum and formaldehyde, it makes sense to look for a better alternative.
Instead of exposing your skin to products that may be harmful, why not replace your regular products with organic ones? Organic skin care products don’t contain those chemicals and support more natural forms of farming and product creation. The ingredients that compose organic skin care products are grown without the use of pesticides, which means fewer pesticides in the environment.
Even if you are not concerned about sustainable farming, organic skin care is a good idea. Before you start shopping for organic skin care, you should know some important information about the labeling of organic products. Because most ingredients, chemical or not, can be traced back to their natural origins, virtually anything can be labeled natural without being organic. If you want organic skin products, you’ll have to look for products that are labeled “100% certified Organic.”
In addition to the claims on the front of the skin care box, you should also carefully read the ingredients. On every skin care product, there is a list of ingredients. The top third of that list makes up 90 to 98 percent of the total composition of the product. If you see any suspect ingredients in the top third, then it is best to leave it on the shelf.
Common organic skin care ingredients include aloe vera, lavender, jojoba, rosemary and olive oil. Look for ingredients with names that you recognize. If you could pull most of the ingredients of the skin care product out of your pantry, you’re on the right track.
Before you switch over completely to organic skin care products, make sure to try out several different types of cleansers, toners and moisturizers. If you have sensitive skin, this is especially important.
The ingredients in organic products are natural, but they can also cause breakouts in some people. Don’t be discouraged if you have a reaction to the first product you try. If you really want to use organic skin care, there are plenty of other brands and formulas to try. Once you find a brand that you love, you can buy all the products you need in that particular formula.
Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Chemicals to Avoid
Before purchasing ,You need to consider mineral makeup products do NOT contain those chemicals. Because…
Parabens - are chemical preservative that have been identified as estrogenic and disruptive of norm hormone function. (Estrogenic chemicals mimic the function of the naturally occurring hormone estrogen, and exposure to external estrogens has been show to increase the rest of BREAST CANCER.
Phthalates - are known to cause a broad range of birth defects and lifelong reproductive impairments in laboratory animals that are exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy and after birth. Phthalates are also known to be hormone-mimicking chemicals, many of which disrupt normal hormonal processes, raising concerns about their implications for increased BREAST CANCER risk. Studies have shown that phthalates can damage the liver, the kidneys, the lungs and the reproductive system, especially the developing tests. Phthalates are a family of industrial chemicals that are used as plastic softeners or solvents in many different consumer products. They can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled as fumes, ingested when they contaminate food or when children bit or suck on toys, and are inadvertently but directly administered to patients from some PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) medical devices.
Bismuth - is the by-product of lead and copper refining, as well as other metals to a smaller degree. Bismuth occurs very rarely in nature. It is on the periodic table of elements under the symbol Bi at atomic number 83. It is very heavy and chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. It has a whitish/iridescent hue and has a very high shine property to it. Of all the heavy metals it is the only non-toxic. Bismuth is a carrier for fuel in nuclear reactors. Bismuth components are used in everything from detection work, to making acrylic fibers, to safety devices in fire detection and extinguishing items, soldering, magnets and medicine as well as cosmetics. Because it is a by-product of lead refining, bismuth oxychloride should be lead free when companies begin using it in their cosmetics.
Talc - Talc is toxic. Talc particles cause tumors in human ovaries and lungs. Numerous studies have shown a strong link between frequent use of talc in the female genital area and ovarian cancer. Talc particles are able to move through the reproductive system and become imbedded in the lining of the ovary. Researchers have found talc particles in ovarian tumors and have found that women with ovarian cancer have used talcum powder in their genital area more frequently than healthy women.
Talc poses a health risk when exposed to the lungs. Talc miners have shown higher rates of lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses from exposure to industrial grade talc, which contains dangerous silica and asbestos. The common household hazard posed by talc is inhalation of baby powder by infants. Since the early 1980s, records show that several thousand infants each year have died or become seriously ill following accidental inhalation of baby powder.
Jennifer Magen
Mahya Cosmetics
Melt Belly Fat With Simple Exercise
Melt Belly Fat With Simple Exercise
Author: lucille Article Source www.articlealley.com
Mistaken for being pregnant when you're not? Have embarrassing muffin tops? Fret not! There is an effective way to melt away those stubborn fats!
personal experience
I was of normal size, except that I had a protruding tummy. A huge lump of belly fat. If people didn't know me personally, they would have thought that I was pregnant. I've tried some ways, which didn't work very well till I discovered this simple exercise which transformed my body. At the end of three weeks, it was very good. I no longer had muffin tops when I wore my jeans, and my waist line shrunk. The best reward, however was better health =)
Melt belly fat for health's sake!
The fat around the abdomen is one of the hardest area to lose. Excess belly fat increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain types of cancers. This is not only about the flab around your waist, but also includes visceral fat, that is found inside the abdomen, around abdominal organs. Melt belly fat is important for health not just for beauty's sake.
What about sit ups?
Normal sit ups aren't intense enough to melt belly fat, but merely tones the muscles around it. Although the exercise I'm recommending targets at abdominal area, it will also give you a good cardiovascular workout because of its intensity.
How long should I expect to see results?
In about three weeks with consistent exercise, 21 sets each day.
Instructions
1) For this exercise use either a yoga mat or a bathroom towel to cushion your back.
2) While lifting both your legs towards your torso till they are vertical, bend your body forward just like how you do normal sit ups. As you do this motion, breathe in.
3) As you let your legs fall back to the ground and your back is rested on the mat, breathe out.
3) Do a set of 21.
4) As you increase in stamina, you may want to increase the number of sets to speed up the process of melting fat.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I just Love facial Masks
Facial masks are a great way to condition, clean or treat the skin. With the variety of facial masks you can apply to your skin, anyone can use them for a multitude of benefits. Making your own facial masks at home are great, saving money and using natural products to enhance skin's
health.
The type of mask you can use depends on skin condition. Oily skin gets a great benefit out of mud or clay masks, because the ingredients cleanse impurities causing acne. Masks that contain alpha-hydroxy acids act to exfoliate, cleaning away dead skin cells, and hydrating masks are made with anything from glycerin to aromatherapy oils.
Masks from Green Tea help calm irritated skin, especially after a deep cleansing facial. Facial masks are usually left on for no more than 20 minutes, and rinsed off with warm water. After rinsing the facial mask off, apply a thin layer of moisturizer to your face that works best with your skin type.
There are a few basic types of mask you can find in your local beauty supply shop or drugstore. Since dead skin can prevent any type of beneficial treatment when it comes to face masks, a good choice is to use the Scrub-Mask combo. This mask allows you to 'polish' your face first with sugar crystals or fruit, and then the mask ingredients cleanse the new skin.
Cloth masks are a great way to cleanse and moisturize face because you apply the whole mask to your face, and the holes for your nose, mouth and eyes are already removed. By setting the cloth on your face, it allows all the moisture to be locked into the skin, giving it a better chance to really condition the skin.
The next best facial mask to look for is a Self-heating mask. These masks are usually made with clay, and heat up on the face after application. The heat penetrates the skin and pores, allowing them to open up for better cleansing and conditioning. Along with deep cleansing, these masks also help breakdown the amount of dead skin cells for better all around skin care.
If you don't prefer to go out to buy ready-made facial masks, you can make your own at home with leftover ingredients or natural foods. Since natural is always better, you can make these masks without all the chemicals or drying agents found in masks on the shelves. Most masks can be made
with fruit, sugar or oatmeal, but added benefits can be made with the addition of aromatherapy oils. While they are not necessary in most cases, the aroma leads to a more relaxing facial mask, and some actually do wonders for the facial skin
Here are a few recipes for common skin types:
Mask for Dry Skin
(Fat from the Avocado is very hydrating, as well as natural honey)
½ avocado
¼ cup honey
Mix these ingredients together and apply to the face for about 20 minutes, and rinse off with a warm cloth.
Mask for Oily Skin
(Lemon and Strawberries both work as astringents, helping to remove extra oil from the skin.)
1 tsp lemon juice
2 egg whites
2 tsp honey
1 cup strawberries
Mix these ingredients and leave on for about 10 minutes, and then rinse off with a warm cloth
Mask for Aging Skin
(Since sugar is used to gently exfoliate, it works best with maturing skin, as well as softening the lines caused by aging.)
3 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp warm water
Dissolve the sugar in the warm water, and do not use until done. Sugar can be harsh for thinning skin, so make sure it is completely mixed in with the water. Apply the water to the face and massage to increase circulation for about 5 minutes. When you are done, rinse the face and pat dry.
Laura Leiva Associated Content
Coconut Oil Skin Care Product For Dry Skin Treatment
The average square inch of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than a thousand nerve endings. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. Skin contains hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands and blood vessels.
Environmental factors, such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with harsh soaps, can cause dry skin. Dermatitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, seborrhea or psoriasis may cause the skin to become very dry too. The symptoms most associated with dry skin are: scaling, which is the visible peeling of the outer skin layer, itching, and cracks in the skin.
Certain drugs, including diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines, can contribute to dry skin conditions; check with your pharmacist or doctor and read the drug insert - you can get one from your pharmacist. Dry skin can be due to a genetic condition but it's not common. Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins can also contribute to dry skin or result in a chronic dry skin condition that's not relieved by anything else.
I put two tablespoons of coconut oil in my smoothies, which are made with fruits only - using a base of two bananas, then adding fruit, frozen or fresh-- blend well. When the skin is dry and dehydrated, dead skin cells remain on the skin which may block pores and promote acne, zits, blemishes, or other breakouts; drink plenty of pure water. Good clear skin is usually a reflection of having a good working non-constipated digestive system.
Use as little soap as possible, if you have to use any, limiting its use to the armpits and genital area. Use bath oils and moisturizers, or better yet, coconut oil, daily. For any skin condition, it's always better to take a natural approach.
To see what coconut oil can do for your skin fast, apply coconut oil several times a day and at bedtime. Coconut oil is very inexpensive - a great, cheap home remedy for all skin conditions. Dry skin contributes to fine lines and wrinkles; coconut oil helps prevent the onset by keeping the skin soft and supple. Apply coconut oil daily to your skin to heal, moisturize and soothe it. Apply coconut oil to irritated or chapped lips as well; it's edible, so it's safe and so healing to the lips.
Many skin conditions can be converted into clear, healthy skin by using natural home remedies. Functions of the skin are disturbed when it's not clean; it becomes more easily damaged, the release of antibacterial compounds decreases and it's more prone to develop infections.
If nothing seems to work it might be more than dry skin, so you should see your doctor. Make sure to call your skin doctor or dermatologist when you have any open cuts or sores from scratching that won't heal. If your dry skin lasts for a long time and is itchy or feels hot when you touch it, see your doctor.
