Natural Skin Care

Some herbs may be very helpful in natural skin care. They are:

Dandelion (root)

This common meadow herb is effective in treatment of skin stains. Dandelion belongs to the sunflower (or Asteraceae) family and possesses detoxifying qualities.

This plant is used in cosmetics and skin care to clear such kinds of skin eruptions as eczema or acne due to a number of beneficial components including minerals, inulin, choline and bitter compounds.

Root of Burdock

Burdock is an herb indigenous to the Northern part of United States, Asia and Europe. The leaves and roots of this herb have actually been employed for generations as a treatment versus cancer of the skin, bad acne, and other skin disorders and illnesses. It has mild antibiotic properties and may help recover softness to the skin layer.

Yellow Dock (root)

In combination with sarsaparilla this plant provides tonic properties and can help you treat chronic skin problems. It contains such active substances as astringent tannis and purgative anthraquinones, having antimicrobial properties. The combination of these two components makes it possible to treat psoriasis, eczema and various skin rashes.

Purple Coneflower (powder)

Generally known as Echinacea, this herb is prized for its immune-enhancing effect: it makes human cell walls stronger thus preventing viruses and bacteria from getting into cells and increases the number important white blood cells. This herb is used orally to mitigate the symptoms and duration of flu and colds, as well as to enhance general immune system response. In cosmetology it is used to protect against different inflammatory skin conditions.

When taken by the mouth, Echinacea stimulates immune system and prevents or lessens the symptoms of cold and flu. When put on the skin area, they may alleviate ailments including eczema, bug bites, and skin psoriasis. Purple Coneflower may also stop germs and pus formation.

Red clover (blossom)

Red clover is well-known for its ability to expel toxins from bloodstream. However it’s not the only advantage of this plant. It is also very effective while curing skin problems due to the fact that it is rich of vitamin B-complex. Traditionally red clover flowers were mashed or chopped to be applied to the areas of skin inflammation like insect bites and others. But today there is a variety of lotions, ointments and creams that contain this herb extract. They are being studied to be used for treatment of such skin conditions as psoriasis and others.

Licorice (root)

If digested in moderate quantities, licorice can help you to treat skin inflammation and redness. There are poultices with licorice used to treat infectious diseases of the skin and dermatitis. Together with other herbal cleansers and cosmetic products it is used to lighten the skin.

Cayenne (40HU)

Cayenne pepper is hot and spicy mainly due to capsaicin, the substance also used to relieve skin pain and itching. This is possible due to the reaction of the nerves. It can have the same function while dealing with psoriasis. It reduces itching and inflammation. Moreover, it stimulates the movement of the other ingredients to the sebaceous glands and pores.

We do not urge to make such mix on your kitchen table. Remember about these effective plants when you acquire products for natural acne treatment. With such ingredients you will be able to get the desired effect.

Skin Care Tips

  1. Keep Your Hands Away from Your Skin
    Although it is against your instincts, you must learn to keep your hands away from pimples and other acne lesions. Squeezing pimples is NOT an acne treatment. It is a bad idea, unless performed under sterile conditions by a doctor.
  2. Stay out of the Sun
    Yes, a suntan would look lovely on you, but you should learn to do without for a while. The risks of sun exposure are not acceptable when you realize that the sun does not cure acne. UV rays simply dry the outer layers of your skin and cause it to peel away. However, once you are away from the sun, acne will return. Prolonged exposure will also make you a certain candidate for skin cancer.

What is your skin type?

Environment factors and toxins regularly affect our skin.

If you want to know more about skincare, it is worth learning about skin types first.

Oily skin has a shiny appearance as it is produces more oil. Therefore, pores tend to be bigger. More pimples, blackheads and whiteheads appear. The aim of acne products treatment is to control oil production and get rid of whiteheads and blackheads.

Dry Skin шs a very sensitive type of skin. It can crack, peel, and get irritated and inflamed, especially if the weather is hot or cold or after a shower or a bath. It is characterized by small pores, may become itchy. It may look much older than other types of skin as wrinkles appear earlier due to its dryness.

In many cases dryness is determined by genetic factors and is passed on from parents to their descendants. Some people have dry skin all year-round while others only during cold and dry seasons. The aging process makes dry skin look much older than other skin types.

Step-by-Step Face Cleansing

5. Rinse your face completely and pat it dry.
Rinse your face with lukewarm running water thoroughly. Although trusted acne products have easy-rinse formulations, it is best to ensure that you thoroughly wash your face of any trace of foam or lather. Not doing so might leave residues behind that can block your pores and aggravate your acne. After rinsing the cleanser off, use a soft, clean towel to dry your face. Never rub the towel on your face as though you are removing stubborn dirt. Just pat it dry with a non-abrasive towel.

6. Use a special toner and moisturizer.
If you are using a skin care system, you could follow this cleansing ritual with a special toner and moisturizer. Remember that when choosing a toner and a moisturizer, you should go for the ones that are compatible with your cleanser and your skin. However, if you are using a skin care system where all acne products come in one single box, product incompatibility should not be a problem.

Step-by-Step Face Cleansing

3. Use a gentle anti-acne cleanser specially formulated for your skin type.
If you have hypersensitive skin, you should choose a product that is mild and hypoallergenic. Meanwhile, if you have very oily skin, you might want to choose something that’s slightly stronger than your regular cleanser. If you’re uncertain about what kind of acne products to use, you should consult your dermatologist first or just go for one of those dermatologist-tested products that are good for any skin type like those listed in this acne treatment article.

4. Apply a small amount of cleanser on your face.
Pour a pea-sized amount of cleanser on your wet palms and lather it before applying on your face. Since most cleansers are concentrated, they can dehydrate your face and strip it of necessary moisture. Diluting it with water activates its ingredients and allows it to be spread evenly on your face.

Acne cleansers have microbeads loaded with antibacterial agents that act like scrubs so let it work for you. Most people think that the more they scrub, the more dirt they can get off their faces. This is wrong. Not only do they risk breaking capillaries, but scrubbing can also aggravate acne by pushing dirt and bacteria deeper into the pores. What you should do is massage the lather or foam onto your face in a gentle circular motion. This facilitates the blood flow in your face which improves your complexion while allowing the ingredients of your cleanser to penetrate deep in your skin.

Step-by-Step Face Cleansing

1. Remove your makeup before washing your face.
Most cleansers work better and more efficiently if your face is thoroughly wet. Removing your makeup ensures that the oils in the cosmetics would not repel water and allow the cleanser to reach a good lather. You can do this by using baby oil or makeup remover on cotton balls and rubbing the makeup lightly off your face.

2. Wash your face thoroughly using lukewarm or room-temperature water.
Never wash your face with water that is too hot or too cold. Extreme temperatures can break capillaries, dehydrate skin, or even aggravate pimples. Studies also show that there is a marked improvement between the effectiveness of cleansers used with water of the right temperature over those that were applied with hot or cold water.

Skin Cancer Faq

Learn more about skin cancer with the following frequently asked questions:
Q. Is sun exposure the main cause of skin cancer?
A. Long-term exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Artificial sources of UV radiation, such as sunlamps and tanning booths, also contribute to the risk of developing skin cancer.

Q. What are the types of skin cancer?
A. The most common kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma arises from the basal cells, small round cells found in the lower part (or base) of the epidermis.
Squamous cell carcinoma begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are sometimes called nonmelanoma skin cancer. Another type of cancer that occurs in the skin is melanoma that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.

Q. What are the early warning signs?
A. The ABCD’s of melanoma are as follows:
A – Asymmetry (common moles are round and symmetrical)
B – Border (skin cancers may have uneven borders)
C – Color (watch for varied shades of brown, tan or black and also red, white, and blue)
D – Diameter (if a spot is larger than a pencil eraser (6mm or ? inch in diameter) it could be trouble)

Q. How does a mole change?
A. Aside from the ABCD’s, you should watch out for these changes:
Size – mole suddenly or continuously gets larger
Elevation – a mole that was flat or slightly elevated increases in height rapidly
Surrounding skin – skin around the mole becomes red or develops colored blemishes or swellings
Surface – a smooth mole develops scaliness, erosion, oozing, crusting, ulceration, bleeding
Sensation – there is itching, tenderness or pain.

Q. How can skin cancer be prevented?
A. Whenever possible, people should avoid exposure to the midday sun (from 10AM to 2PM). Keep in mind that protective clothing, such as sun hats and long sleeves, can block out the sun’s harmful rays. Also, lotions that contain sunscreens can protect the skin.

How hormones affect skin

Hormones affect acne but having acne is not a sign of a hormonal imbalance. Changes in hormones, such as the specific point in your menstrual cycle (ovulation vs. having your period), pregnancy, or menopause all are normal, yet all can cause dramatic changes in your skin condition.

Female hormone levels change and vary throughout the monthly cycle. These fluctuations do cause acne to flare and diminish depending on the time of the month. The most effective way to treat menstrual cycle acne is to treat the acne itself by applying topical medications, oral antibiotics, or even changing or adjusting a birth control pill since the hormones found in these contraceptives are also related to flare-ups of acne.

Several symptoms can help your dermatologist identify hormonally-influenced acne: adult acne, or breakouts that appear for the first time in adults; acne flare-ups preceding the menstrual cycle; a history of irregular menstrual cycles, increased facial oiliness; Hirsutism (excessive growth of hair, or hair in unusual places); and elevated levels of certain androgens in the blood stream.

Need healthy skin?

Here are quick and simple ways that we can care for our healthy skin:

1. Exercise regularly. Exercise is good for our heart and body. Even our skin benefits with exercise by increasing blood circulation and thus bringing enough oxygen and nutrients to the rest of our body. Exercise also triggers the body to produce more sebum that is the body’s natural moisturizer.

2. Be smoke and alcohol- free. Smoking tends to destroy the Vitamin C in your body, damage the elastic tissues that keep the skin tight. Drinking liquor on the other hand tends to expand your blood vessels causing red spots and itchiness on your skin.

3. Rest. Get plenty of rest. You are giving your skin a time to rejuvenate and heal while you rest. Stress is extremely bad for your skin and body. It indirectly creates instability in your hormonal system, which in turn leads to more skin problems like breakouts and acne.

4. Take care of you skin and choose only the best acne products if you need to clear your pores. And remember, they do not work in a few days, you need at least a month to treat your acne completely!

Why clean skin?

First and foremost, the skin is the outermost layer of the body and is essentially its first line of defense against various elements. It covers approximately 19 square feet, so it’s more or less the largest organ of your body. What’s more, the skin (particularly that on the face) is the first thing people see when they look at you, so it’s really important that you keep it clean, smooth, and acne-free. The only way you can do that is if you follow a good skin regimen.

The truth is that there is only one good skin regimen and it includes three (sometimes four) steps: cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. These three skin care steps are the basics, and they should be done everyday if you really want to maintain your beautiful skin. Experts even recommend that you do this skin regimen twice a day, right after you wake up and right before you sleep.

You can find this skin regimen and other solutions in our acne treatment review!