Ways to Manage Acne
Acne, a disease that affects the skin’s oil glands, is the number one skin compliant that not only diminishes self-esteem, but can also lead to permanent scarring. While acne commonly occurs during teenage years, it is not restricted to this age with some adults and children also suffering with acne. In most cases, acne lasts for about three to four years, however, in 15% of cases acne can continue for up to 12 years.
Acne is a result of the overproduction of oil or sebum by the oil glands, also known as sebaceous glands, located deep in the skin. When too much sebum is produced, the sebum is trapped in the pores of the skin, clogging and then inflaming the pores, resulting in blackheads or whiteheads on the surface of the skin. Although acne is not caused by a bacterial infection, the skin’s normal bacteria, which prevents the skin being invaded by harmful bacteria, continues to be produced in the blocked pore. The bacteria produce chemicals that alter the composition of the oil resulting in an irritating skin inflammation. Characterised by redness, swelling and discomfort, inflammations of the skin occur because the immune system works to kill the foreign substance, being the bacteria or the compounds that they have produced.
The following result from blocked skin pores:
Blackheads. These develop when the skin pores are clogged but remain open close to the surface of the skin. They are dark due to the presence of a dark pigment, not because of dirt in the pores. Blackheads do not usually become inflamed because they are exposed to the skin surface.
Whiteheads. These form as a result of a blockage deeper in a pore and are more likely to lead to inflammation. Whiteheads develop when oil accumulates in the pore, causing small flesh-coloured or white bumps.
Pustules (commonly known as pimples or zits). These occur when the blocked pore ruptures and oil, dead skin cells and bacteria normally found on the surface of the skin, invade and irritate the pore, forming small areas of inflammation.
Cysts. These are larger, red, inflamed areas deep in the skin that signify a more widespread infection and often result in scarring.
While sebaceous glands are all over the body the overactive glands are often concentrated the T-zone on your face (across the forehead and down the nose and chin) and on the chest and back, hence, acne more commonly occurs in these places.
The exact cause of acne is not known, however, statistics suggest that heredity is a strong contributing factor. Hormonal activity during the teenage years and pregnancy also plays a role. Chocolate, greasy foods and sugar are often blamed for aggravating acne but there is no scientific evidence to support this theory. Anxiety and stress, on the other hand, are known to trigger the condition as they cause the adrenal glands to release more hormones.
There are a number of ways you can manage acne.
- Always practice good skin care. Clean your skin regularly and gently with a mild cleanser. It is recommended that you wash your face in the morning, in the evening and after exercising. Scrubbing the skin does not stop acne. It can make the problem worse. Belli Acne Clearing Facial Wash available from GreatSkin.com uses hydroxy acid, botanical and fruit extracts to lift away dirt, oil and bacteria, promoting clean and blemish-free skin. This versatile treatment can be used as a daily cleanser or can be left on the face for five minutes for an intensive acne treatment mask, and is safe to use during pregnancy.
- Avoid touching, squeezing, or picking your skin. Although it is tempting to do, bacteria on your hands can enhance the problem causing more inflammation and increase the possibility of scarring.
- Minimise your exposure to the sun. While UV light in the sun’s rays can reduce acne by reducing bacteria and their by-products that cause inflammation, UV light can also increase the number of whiteheads. Over exposure to the sun may also increase your risk of skin cancer.
- Steam your face once or twice a week to open your skin pores. Boil some water, place it in a bowl, drape a towel over your head, and hold your face over the bowl. Rinse your face with cold water once completed.
- Take acidophilus to fight bacteria.
- Eat a diet high in fibre, fresh vegetables and fresh fruits to ensure that your skin is provided with the required nutrients. Avoid fatty foods, caffeine and salt.
- Consider adding zinc supplements to your diet, if you do decide to do this though also take a multi-vitamin supplement as an increased intake of zinc requires more copper and manganese. A great multi-vitamin is the Better Living Multi-Vitamin available from Health Center for Better Living All-Natural Vitamins Low Prices. From taking just one tablet per day, you get the highest potencies of Vitamins A, C, D, E, and all the B’s, plus the minerals you need. This highly concentrated vitamin gives you what your body needs to fight stress and gives you back the energy needed to live a healthy vibrant life. It’s the most complete one-per-day tablet.
- Reduce anxiety and stress in your life by exercising regularly, meditating, spending quality time with friends and family, maintaining good sleeping habits, and laughing often.
- You may also want to check out this product which guarantees to cure your acne in three days the natural way or will give you your money back.
Leggings – This Season’s Must Have!
Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Missoni, Chloe and many other designers have ensured that every woman will be wearing leggings this season by including leggings in their latest runway collections. And this season there is such a variety of leggings to choose from, there is no excuse for not wearing them. Varying in material, colour and length, leggings will become your favourite item of clothing! This season’s leggings come in a variety of colours and patterns, including black, red, silver, gold, blue, pink, navy, plaid, and a variety of lengths, including ankle length, full length, and calf length. There are lacy ones, those made from PVC, lycra, nylon, polyster, cotton, silk or wool, those that look like denim, those that feel like snake skin, those that look wet, ones that are knitted, and those containing sequins.
Leggings present many benefits. They can warm your legs in winter, but they are still cool enough to wear in summer. You can wear them with just about anything, including a long shirt, short dress or miniskirt. Most leggings are also very slimming and can flatter most body types if the right colour, material and length are selected. But most the most important benefit is that they are comfortable!
The contemporary use of the word legging refers to tight, form-fitting trousers that extend from the waist to the ankles, however, leggings in various forms have been worn for warmth and protection by both men and women throughout the centuries and originally were two separate garments, one for each leg. Leggings were traditional worn for exercise until the 1980s when leggings first became a fashion must-have, and by the early 1990s leggings were out-selling jeans in many parts of the United States. In 2005 the popularity of leggings in fashion again emerged, and it is not surprising; they look great and are just so comfortable!
This season you should definitely invest in a pair of leggings, or two, or perhaps even three! And here is where you can purchase that special pair, Get exclusive style at eModa.com!
Pretty – The New Elizabeth Arden Fragrance
Born in Canada in 1878, Elizabeth Arden (originally named Florence Nightingale Graham) ascended from humble beginnings as a nurse to become a true pioneer of the beauty and perfume industry. She was a woman ahead of her time, a determined visionary who overcame many initial failures and ignored the discouragement of those around her, including her family. Driven by her resolve to make her dreams reality, Elizabeth Arden knew that she was destined for greatness and built an empire of cosmetic corporations and salons worldwide.
Elizabeth Arden’s knowledge of beauty products stemmed from the medical experience she gained working as a nurse with creams and salves for burns and skin ailments. While she observed the medical benefits of these medications, she realised their potential as beauty creams and lotions. Arden’s adamant pursuit for perfect beauty aids began in the kitchen of the house in which she grew up, where she experimented with many common ingredients, mostly medicines, salves and herbs. In 1908, at age 30, Arden arrived in New York filled with hope and expectation. There she befriended a chemist and continued her research, while working in a beauty parlour mastering the art of massage and skin treatments.
In 1909, after having invented the concept of a beauty cream, with the help of her chemist friend, Elizabeth Arden opened her Fifth Avenue Beauty Salon. Equipped with a red door for the purpose of attracted attention, this salon was used to promote her beauty lotions and creams. Arden continued to experiment and the range of her skin products grew, as did their popularity. Over time Arden developed a keen interest in fragrances, and as her cosmetic range expanded to over 300 products it included a range of perfumes.
Elizabeth Arden understood that the desire to look young and beautiful was not something reserved only for the glamorous or wealthy; it was a yearning common to all women. She therefore, designed fragrances that all women could wear and from the beginning her fragrances were worn by a spectrum of women, from plain girls to middle-aged women, from sales assistants to company directors, from housewives to movie stars. Women wore Arden’s fragrances because they loved the intrinsic feel and quality. Elizabeth Arden’s products were always acclaimed for their quality and excellence, as no product was ever released until it exceeded Arden’s high standards, from ingredients to packaging. At the time of her death in October 1966, the Elizabeth Arden Company was grossing an estimated $60 million per year, and consisted of 17 corporations and 40 salons worldwide.
The Elizabeth Arden Company continues today to maintain the reputation of quality and excellence created by Elizabeth Arden herself. A new fragrant beauty, Pretty, was released to the market in February 2009 to join the Elizabeth Arden perfume collection. Pretty opens with refreshing breezes of Italian mandarin and orange blossom mixed with peach juices, has a floral heart, created by petalia, starry jasmine, pink lily and peony, and a soft and pleasant base composed of musk, Jacaranda wood and creamy amber. Created by perfumer Claude Dir of Givaudan, the fragrance was inspired by the fact that every woman wants to feel pretty, everyday, everywhere.
Personally, I really like this new fragrance. I usually don’t like floral fragrances but the floral bouquet is well-balanced with the fruity scents. I would recommend this fragrance for everyday use, as its sweet smell is subtle. Pretty can be purchased from FragranceNet.com.
Our Largest Organ – Skin??
The largest organ in our body is our skin! It accounts for up to 15% of our body weight and has a total surface area between 1.5 and 2 metres squared. That’s a lot of skin to take care of!
The Benefits of Mineral Makeup
Although the popularity of mineral makeup has increased drastically over the last decade, the concept of mineral makeup is not new. 2,500 years ago the women of ancient Egypt used malachite, green ore of copper, kohl and galena powder to dress their eyes, and red ochre to make their lips red and give colour to their cheeks. While these minerals where use to make the Egyptians beautiful, they had a secondary purpose. Malachite, obtained from the Nile Valley, and Galena, obtained from Upper Egypt and the Red Sea, protected their eyes from the reflective rays of the desert sun and were believed to prevent eye diseases. Other minerals used repelled insects and protected the skin from the harsh climate of the desert. The Egyptians believed that using dark colours, such as that created by kohl, helped protect against evil spirits.
Mineral makeup products have been available since the 1970s; however, in the last couple of years demand for these products has grown exponentially. The increase in demand is attributed to the fact that people are becoming more health conscious, and as a result prefer to use products made with natural ingredients. As mineral based makeup consists of a variety of pure, finely ground, natural mineral elements from the earth they are rapidly becoming the makeup of choice.
So is mineral makeup really good for you? Unlike traditional makeup, mineral makeup contains zinc, magnesium, titanium and aluminium which rejuvenate and nourish your skin. And the mineral particles in mineral makeup are not absorbed by your skin and do not clog your pores, meaning that mineral makeup is non-comedogenic. While traditional makeup can cause dryness, irritation and acne, mineral makeup allows your skin to breathe. Mineral makeup is especially good for those with sensitive skin as it is hypoallergenic and contains no chemicals, alcohols, toxins, bacteria, perfumes, talc, dyes, mineral oils or preservatives. Mineral makeup also offers natural protection from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
What are the benefits of mineral makeup? Apart from those mentioned above, mineral makeup lasts longer than traditional makeup as your pores remain open, meaning that it will survive a heavy workout at the gym or a restless night’s sleep. The coverage provided is weightless, flawless and natural. It is virtually waterproof, vegan friendly, and corrects and evens out your skin tone. And it only takes minutes to apply! If you haven’t tried mineral makeup yet, what are you waiting for?
In order to obtain all the benefits from mineral makeup you should ensure that you moisturise your skin morning and night. When moisturising your face prior to applying mineral makeup, allow your skin five minutes to absorb the moisturiser otherwise you will find that the mineral makeup sticks to the moisturiser. Also ensure you cleanse and exfoliate your skin regularly as this will help maintain healthy, radiant looking skin.
The most popular mineral makeup in the market at the moment is the Bare Minerals range created by Bare Escentuals. It is easy to apply, feels light and silky, and provides a flawless and natural coverage. You can purchase the Bare Escentuals range from FragranceNet.com or StrawberryNET.com.
Finger & Toe Nail Growth
Fingernails grow nearly four times faster than toenails, however, toenails are thicker than fingernails!
How to Care for Your Fingernails
Fingernails are long fibres of the protein keratin, the same protein that your hair and skin is made up of, and are designed to protect the fingertips as well as assist in grabbing and lifting objects. A fingernail consists of several parts being the visible part of the nail known as the nail plate, the skin beneath the nail plate referred to as the nail bed, the cuticle which is the tissue that overlaps the plate and rims the base of the nail, the lunula which is the moon shaped area at the base of the nail, and the matrix. The matrix is hidden under the cuticle and is responsible for nail growth. The rate at which fingernails grow varies, but on average they each grow an inch and a half each year. Nail growth is influenced by a number of factors including the age, sex and nutritional status of the individual, the time of day, and the time of year. Fingernails generally grow faster in people under the age of thirty, in males, during the day, and during the warmer months of the year. Interestingly, the nails on your preferred hand grow faster than the ones on the opposite hand, therefore if you are right-handed, the nails on your right hand will grow faster than those on your left hand. Also, the longer the finger is, the faster the growth rate, meaning that the nail on your middle finger grows quicker than the nail on your index finger.
So what can you do to keep your nails looking their best?
Keep them moisturised. We use our nails all the time; however, it is when they are in water or in contact with abrasive products (such as detergents, soaps and household cleaning products) that they are damaged the most. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when you use soap and water for long periods, or use harsh chemicals, and moisturise yours hands as often as you can using a moisturiser specifically formulated for use on the hands and nails. I would recommend the L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, which is easily absorbed, smells great and is not greasy, or Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream, which softens hands, and strengthens nails and cuticles. Both of these products are available at a great price from FragranceNet.com!
Trim your nails after bathing. When it is time to cut your nails do it when your nails are soft from bathing. Cutting your nails when they are dry can cause them to crack and become brittle.
Avoid pushing back your cuticles. Cuticles are designed to protect your nails; hence pushing them back can impair the health of your nails, can damage your nail bed, and can invite infection to the base of the nail.
Minimise the use of nail polish remover. Nail polish remover dries your nails, which may potentially result in splitting, therefore try to only use nail polish remover once a week. If there is a chip in the polish, touch it up with more nail polish, rather than removing the polish from the whole nail. Always use acetone free nail polish removers and ensure you moisturise your hands and nails after using nail polish remover.
Maintain a good diet and drink lots of water. Your nails are a reflection of what you eat. If you have a poor diet your nails will be dry, brittle, prone to splitting, and may develop white spots. Eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables, and keep your diet rich in foods with silicon and calcium, such as carrots, broccoli, onions, milk and fish. You may want to consider taking a multi-vitamin to increase your intake of vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, folic acid, and calcium. Also ensure you drink plenty of water to avoid cuts and cracks around the nails.
Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise encourages blood flow to all parts of the body, including fingernails, giving them the nutrients they need.
We often risk the health and strength of our fingernails without even realising. Take a few moments each day, or at least a couple of times each week, to care for your nails. And remember to visit FragranceNet.com!
Kiss Wrinkles Good-bye
The act of kissing uses 29 facial muscles, making kissing an effective exercise to prevent the development of wrinkles.
Lip Gloss – History & Use
Lip gloss is a cosmetic product found in any good makeup collection and is designed to give lips a shiny lustre and often subtle colour. It can be a liquid or a soft solid and can be completely clear, translucent, coloured, shimmery, glittery or metallic. Some offer moisturising benefits, or protection from the sun or other elements, and others are flavoured. Some are too sticky, others too creamy, and some taste very bad.
Lip gloss was invented in 1930 by Max Factor, a pioneer of the makeup world and the father of modern makeup, in response to the evolution of the film industry. When the world was first introduced to films in colour, it became evident that the makeup used on the actors’ faces lacked glamour and radiance. Max Factor realised that the makeup used for black and white film was out dated and responded by creating a line of makeup to specifically meet the needs of coloured viewing. Lip gloss was created specifically for film with the intent of giving the lips a shiny appearance on camera. The glossy, polished look perfectly complimented the smooth, porcelain skin accredited to Max Factor’s film makeup. The first commercially available lip gloss was launched in 1932 by Max Factor.
Lip gloss is often used as an alternative to lipstick to provide subtle colour to the lips, when intense, solid lip colour is not desired, however, can be used in conjunction with lipstick to create a shiny look. Lip gloss can be applied with a rounded or sloped applicator wand, lip brush, or the fingertip. To ensure the lip gloss glides on smoothly and is long lasting, you should condition your lips before applying the lip gloss with a colourless lip balm or petroleum jelly. The best way to apply lip gloss, to avoid it being too thick, is to place a dab in the middle of your bottom lip and then rub your lips together, or use a lip brush to distribute it evenly. If applying coloured lip gloss, apply some concealer to your lips first to achieve clearer colour.
So, what attributes make a good lip gloss? Good lip glosses are not sticky; you don’t want your hair or anything else to be magnetically attracted to your lips and spoil your look. Good lip glosses are also long-lasting, shiny and glossy, add fullness, and moisturise your lips. MAC and Chanel both create great lip glosses, with the MAC lip gloss quite possibly being the most popular on the market. You can purchase MAC and Chanel products, as well as the Max Factor range from StrawberryNET.com. StrawberryNET.com is the world’s largest provider of discounted skincare, makeup, cosmetics and fragrance and offer free shipping to anywhere in the world. If you love makeup and fragrances, you will love StrawberryNET.com, so visit StrawberryNET.com today!
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