Natural Skin Care Monthly Newsletter
April, 2007
With featured articles on skin care, treating facial skin problems, and interviews with skin care practitioners, skin care product providers, and dermatologists.
Serious Skin Care: Beyond the Basics
By Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH
Skin care means different things to different people. Some folks consider simply washing their face every day to be a good skin care routine. Others won't leave the house without a full regimen of cleansing, toning, moisturizing, applying sun block, and concealing blemishes. Are you ready to move beyond the basics of skin care? Then this article is for you. Please read on for a discussion of serious skin care and the products that are needed to deal with major skin care issues.
Serious Skin Care Routines
Serious skin care does not have to be a time-consuming burden that takes up all your free time. It's just a matter of making the effort to analyze your skin, getting the products that are right for you, and consistently using them to keep your face looking and feeling its best. Here's a serious skin care routine that can be completed in minutes:
Clean Up: As the old saying goes, "There's always hope with water and soap." That may be true for the rest of your body, but when it comes to your face, most dermatologists will tell you to stay away from using soap. It tends to dry out even the most resilient of facial skin. You don't have to spend a fortune to find a natural facial cleansing gel or face wash that's specifically designed for your skin type. Wash your face twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed, with warm, purified water and a facial cleanser, to remove any perspiration, pollutants, grime, and debris that may accumulate.
Get Toned: If you have oily or combination skin, a quality toner that is alcohol and acetone free will provide a higher level of cleansing and help to balance the pH of your facial skin as well. If you have dry or sensitive skin, stay away from toners that contain alcohol or acetone. They can be very irritating to folks with this type of skin. An all-natural facial toner such as Hydra-Tone™ is beneficial for all skin types.
For Your Eyes Only: Eye creams can do wonders to improve the condition of the fragile skin around your eyes. They can help hide unsightly dark circles and bags, and they can minimize the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles as well. Refresse™ Anti-Aging All-Natural Cream is an excellent natural product that acts as both an eye and facial cream.
Use Protection: Serious skin care is not complete without taking steps to protect your skin from possible damage due to environmental factors. A good moisturizer will keep your facial skin hydrated and also help to prevent dirt, debris, and other toxins from entering your pores. Protection from too much sun is also vital. A natural sunblock of at least SPF 15 is recommended. Ultraviolet radiation can lead to age spots, freckles, moles, wrinkles, rough skin, and even cancer. Many moisturizers contain sun screen, and using a combination product such as this will save you both time and money; however, be cautioned that most of these products contain toxic chemicals and ingredients.
Serious Skin Care Solutions
Even if you are consistent with an excellent skin care regimen, you are likely to encounter an occasional blemish.
Acne: Acne is term that covers pimples, blemishes, whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts. The most important thing to remember regarding acne is that you should never pick or squeeze acne blemishes. Doing this can spread the acne, and lead to acne scarring as well. The best way to deal with acne is through the use of an herbal, homeopathic, or traditional preparation that is suited for treating this condition. For more information on natural acne remedies visit Acne-answers.org.
Under Eye Circles and Bags: A number of factors, including allergies, irritations, and lack of sleep, can cause the skin around your eyes to puff up and darken. If you experience these symptoms, use of an eye cream containing shea butter can be very helpful. This natural substance derived from the Central African magnifolia tree is known for its ability to replenish skin tone, and decrease the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles.
Wrinkles: As we age, wrinkles become, quite literally, a "sign of the times." There are a number of products and techniques available these days to remove or minimize the appearance of wrinkles. They range from over-the-counter anti-wrinkle creams, to costly and intrusive plastic surgery. Choosing a method to deal with your wrinkles is often dependant on the number of wrinkles you have, where they appear, and how much you are troubled by them. The number one thing you can do to prevent wrinkles is to consistently protect your skin against the sun. Use a natural sunscreen on a daily basis.
Age Spots: Age spots develop over time on areas of the body that have been over-exposed to the sun. These spots are particularly bothersome to many people when they appear on the face. There are several products available such as fade creams and retinols that can decrease their appearance. However, keep in mind that some age spots have the potential to be precancerous. It is always a good idea to have your health care provider examine any age spots before you seek to treat them yourself.
Eczema: This skin condition can produce varied symptoms, and its severity can fluctuate from person to person as well. It can cause either dry, irritated patches, or result in areas of broken, bleeding skin that are often swollen too. Eczema can be an inherited condition, or it can be caused by allergic reactions to irritants such as clothing, detergents, nickel, and others. While there are some medications that can help eczema, lifestyle changes are often the most effective treatment. Suggestions include changing the type of clothing or jewelry you wear, the laundry soap you use, or avoiding certain items in your diet that may be causing irritation. Common offenders include dairy, wheat, citrus, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, and processed foods. Check with your health care provider for additional advice on how to treat eczema.