March 2nd, 2010
It is extremely important to moisturize the skin on your face. This is true for men as well as women. Moisture is depleted from the face each day from exposure to the elements. Not all skin care creams are created equal however. Many skin creams and lotions contain chemical ingredients that can irritate sensitive facial skin. You are much better off choosing a skin care cream with natural ingredients.
Each person’s skin falls into one of five categories; dry, oily, normal, combination, or sensitive. Each type needs to be moisturized. Dry skin needs the extra moisture from a skin cream. You need to be careful what you use on sensitive skin. Synthetic and chemical ingredients can irritate any skin, but they are especially harsh on sensitive skin. Oily skin needs moisturizing cream as well. It will help normalize the skin and help prevent acne and blemishes. Even skin that is considered normal usually trends more towards either oily or dry.
There are some basic steps to creating beautiful skin; cleanse, exfoliate, protect and moisturize. Everyone should follow these four steps. Skin cream can both protect and moisturize. It is a good idea to use a skin cream during the day that has protective sunscreen. The day cream can also moisturize, but the night cream will probably do the majority of deep down moisturizing.
You need to make sure and read labels to find truly natural products. Don’t just believe broad claims of organic and natural. Many products that make these claims may still have chemical and synthetic ingredients. Some also contain perfumes that can be bothersome for people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity. Everyone should avoid petroleum products which can clog pores. And always stay away from alcohols as they will dry the skin.
Natural products with proven ingredients are your best choice. Look for reputable companies. Many offer money back guarantees or 30 to 60 days. Look for companies that can provide research on their natural ingredients and skin care products.
Tags: lotions, natural skin care, skin care, skin creams
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February 28th, 2010
You may think that herbal remedies are not really worthwhile, but the truth is natural botanicals have been used for centuries to treat all kinds of problems. In fact over 25% of all drugs used today contain active ingredients derived from plants. As much as eighty percent of the world population uses herbs for healthy care. In the US alones, over 1,500 botanicals reportedly are sold in dietary supplements. Some of the more popular ones are chamomile, echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginko, and ginseng.
- Chamomile is well known as tea. The chamomile plant is also used as an herbal remedy to treat muscle pain, cramping, and anxiety.
- Echinacea was used by Native Americans long ago. Today it is still being used help the body resist the common cold. It is also helpful in boosting the immune system to ward off infection.
- Ginseng is another ancient remedy. Today it believed to help provide increased energy.
- St. John’s Wort is an herbal alternative for treating mild depression and anxiety.
- Garlic has been shown to naturally lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It also has antibiotic properties. Garlic can be taken in capsule, pill or powder form.
- Ginger is often used to reduce nausea.
- Ginko Biloba is often taken to improve circulation and increase brain activity.
Your doctor should be consulted before any new medication or supplement is taken. Some herbs do not interact well together and others may cause complication for certain conditions. Even herbal remedies can sometimes have adverse side effects.
Tags: chamomile, echinacea, garlic, ginko, ginseng, Herbal Remedies, herbs, st. john's wort
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February 28th, 2010
Stretch marks are a dreaded side affect of rapid weight gain. When rapid weight gain on any part of the body and the skin is stretch beyond its limit stretch marks can appear. They are dreaded by many because they are unattractive and hard to get rid of.
Stretch marks are in fact a series of small scars. They appear when the collagen and the tissue below the skin surface is damaged from being stretched. Weight gain causes the skin to be stretched and at some point the tissue below the skin can actually tear. The healing of these tears is what causes the dreaded marks to appear. Many women get stretch marks during or after pregnancy. They often occur on the abdomen, breasts, thighs, and hips. Body builders tend to get stretch marks from muscle that is built too quickly mostly on the arms or legs. When the marks first appear they look red with slight indentions. Later they fade to a white or silvery color.
The only way to completely avoid stretch marks is to prevent rapid weight gain. At times when that is not possible, as with pregnancy, it is important to keep the skin well moisturized. Stretch mark creams with vitamin e, vitamin c, lanolin, and emu oil can help with moisturizing. Skin that is well moisturized will be more elastic.
Laser treatments are one remedy for stretch marks. These treatments are expensive though, and it can take more than six treatments to produce results. There are ingredients that can be used in creams that can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. One good ingredient is Matrixyl. It has shown promising results in stretch mark reduction when used all by itself. Some natural ingredients like Vitamin e, aloe, and emu oil have been used for a long time to moisturize and prevent scaring. Combining these ingredients in a cream or serum may make them work even better. Skin penetration is increased when these oils and matrixyl are combined. It takes several months of regular use for several months to decrease the appearance of stretch marks.
Tags: preventing, prevention, stretch mark cream, Stretch Marks
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February 28th, 2010
Elastin in a protein that is in skin tissue. It is important because it helps skin remain tight but still flexible. This is what allows skin to bounce back after it is stretched or pulled. It is also responsible for allowing skin to stretch to do normal activities such as opening and closing the mouth and then return smoothly back to normal.
As we get older elastin tends to get depleted as do other proteins in the skin. The lack of elastin is on of the things that results in wrinkles and stretched out skin. Elastin is often added to anti-aging skin care creams and serums. This elastin comes from sources other than human, mostly cows or birds. Unfortunately, elastin added to skin in this way does not seem to have much effect. It is unable to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin where elastin is needed to be effective. Products containing elastin may help the skin retain moisture, but most likely won’t actually help it become more elastic.
There are other ingredients that can be used in creams and serums that will help aging skin. Some of the best ones are vitamin e, Matrixyl and Argiriline. These ingredients can promote cell turnover and help increase collagen production. The loss of the proteins of collagen and elastin cause drooping and wrinkling skin. Using a cream or serum regularly with one or more of these anti wrinkle ingredients will help firm the skin and reduce wrinkles.
Tags: anti-aging, collagen, elastin, skin care, vitamin e, wrinkles
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January 6th, 2010
Saw Palmetto- Hair Loss Prevention and Healthy Hair
For many men getting older means the on set of male-pattern baldness, also called androgenic alopecia. This involves hair loss in a defined M pattern.
Men begin to loose hair when the level of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, on the scalp is too high. DHT attaches to hair follicles and decreases the amount of nutrients going to the follicle. When this happens the hair follicle will gradually shrink and eventually be unable to grow hair.
In order to prevent hair loss DHT levels need to be decreased. There are a few ways that this can be done. There are prescription drugs, such as Propepcia, that block the conversion of free testosterone in DHT. However, these drugs can have adverse side effects. Saw Palmetto can be a good natural alternative to these types of drugs.
Saw Palmetto is a palm plant that is most often found in coastal North America. For centuries, Native Americans have used this herb as a remedy for urinary tract disorders. It is thought by many to be an effective alternative to treat an enlarged prostate.
It is only recently that it has been found to treat hair loss as well. Saw Palmetto has been shown to block the enzyme which converts testosterone into DHT. This is similar to the way the prescription drugs work. It is a completely natural ingredient and is readily available. It can be taken in the form of supplements. Saw Palmetto is a natural way to for men to stay healthy and help prevent hair loss.
Tags: dht, hormones, mens hair loss, saw palemtto shampoo, Saw Palmetto
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