I am obsessed with my skin, I hae good products and stuff, but want to know some promising products, tips, facials, etc…I will try almost anything as long as it works and is a good price!

Many beauty products on the market have harmful chemicals in them; do your favorite beauty products contain any of these things?:

* Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum – Petroleum products that coat the skin like plastic, clogging pores and creating a build-up of toxins, which in turn accumulate and can lead to dermatologic issues. Slows cellular development, which can cause you to show earlier signs of aging. Suspected cause of cancer. Disruptive of hormonal activity. By the way, when there’s an oil spill in the ocean, don’t they rush to clean it up – fast? Why put that stuff on your skin?
* Parabens – Widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic industry (including moisturizers). An estimated 13,200 cosmetic and skin care products contain parabens. Studies implicate their connection with cancer. They have hormone-disrupting qualities – mimicking estrogen – and interfere with the body’s endocrine system.

* Phenol carbolic acid– Found in many lotions and skin creams. Can cause circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, coma and even death from respiratory failure.
* Propylene glycol – Used as a moisturizer in cosmetics and as a carrier in fragrance oils. Shown to cause dermatitis, kidney or liver abnormalities, and may inhibit skin cell growth or cause skin irritation.
* Acrylamide– Found in many hand and face creams. Linked to mammary tumors in lab research.
* Sodium laurel or lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)– Found in car washes, engine degreasers, garage floor cleaners… and in over 90% of personal care products! SLS breaks down the skin’s moisture barrier, easily penetrates the skin, and allows other chemicals to easily penetrate. Combined with other chemicals, SLS becomes a “nitrosamine”, a potent class of carcinogen. It can also cause hair loss. SLES is sometimes disguised with the labeling “comes from coconut” or “coconut-derived

* Toluene – Poison! Danger! Harmful or fatal if swallowed! Harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Made from petroleum or coal tar, and found in most synthetic fragrances. Chronic exposure linked to anemia, lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney damage, and may affect a developing fetus. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) contains toluene. Other names may include benzoic and benzyl.
* Dioxane– Found in compounds known as PEG, Polysorbates, Laureth, ethoxylated alcohols. Common in a wide range of personal care products. The compounds are usually contaminated with high concentrations of highly volatile 1,4-dioxane, easily absorbed through the skin.
Dioxane’s carcinogenicity was first reported in 1965 and later confirmed in studies including one from the National Cancer Institute in 1978. Nasal passages and liver are the most vulnerable. Dioxane is easily removed during the manufacturing process by “vacuum stripping”.

Warning: It is a synthetic derivative of coconut. Watch for hidden language on labels, such as “comes from coconut”.

IF SO, you should throw them away IMMEDIATELY and substitute virgin/extra virgin olive oil or a natural coconut oil to moisturize in the meantime until you find a better alternative!!! Tell ALL your friends and family!!!

The skin is your body’s largest organ and there are approximately 19 million skin cells on every square inch of skin. More than half of women today have sensitive skin, which is easily irritated or reactive in a variety of situations. Skincare for sensitive skin helps your skin look its best during every season and all conditions.

First of all, you know you have sensitive skin if it is dry, delicate, easily damaged or irritated, has reduced tolerance to weather conditions and is subject to allergic reactions. Sometimes your skin may feel tight or tingly, reacts to physical stress such as shaving and appears red or irritated.

Skincare for sensitive skin requires using gentle cleansers and moisturizers that are free of perfumes, heavy oils and additives. Other precautions are to watch your intake of alcohol and rich or spicy foods, avoid extreme temperature changes and manage personal stress. All of these factors can take an unfortunate toll on the appearance of your skin.

Autumn is a season where we are all still outdoors and doing yard work, even though the weather is getting colder. Taking special care of sensitive skin is a must during this rather harsh season. Although the sun seems less intense, use a sunscreen all year round to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays that can be equally strong during other seasons.

If you are gardening, use gloves to protect the skin on your hands. As the cold weather comes in, our skin already loses essential moisture and gloves protect your hands from dryness, blistering and cracking.

Although the weather requires heaving clothing, beware of synthetic fabrics that do not breathe or clothing that is too tight and binding. Choose clothing that fits well with room to move around and that is made of natural fabrics that breathe, such as cotton or silk. Wool can also be a good choice unless you find it personally irritating to your skin. Also, make sure to remove those bothersome tags inside your clothes that can cause chafing on your skin.

Wearing a hat is an important way to protect your hair and skin from sun damage while keeping your head warm in the colder weather.

Although the insects are less prevalent and annoying in the fall, they still exist. The ability to wear long sleeves and trousers does help to keep them away. However, you can also spray your clothing with insect repellent to drive the bugs away without putting a potential irritant directly on your skin.

With a little extra skincare for your sensitive skin, you will glow and look healthy during any season of the year.

Ryan Cote
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/skincare-for-sensitive-skin-tips-for-outdoor-protection-70848.html

If you have oily skin you will know that it can be an absolute nightmare! Trying to make oily skin looking fresh throughout the day can often be a real chore, and there are many problems which the condition can cause. So just what harm can Oily skin cause you and how can you prevent it?

The Problems Which Oily Skin Can Bring

Oily skin is most linked to Acne, and it is no surprise that people with oily skin do have a lot more blemishes. The excess oil is caused by the male hormone Androgen which is found in both males and females. Androgen speeds up the development of Sebum which causes excess oil.

Although Acne is the main condition that oily skin causes, oily skin can also cause the pores to become enlarged and rough. Often oily skin appears shiny, dull looking and it is thicker than usual. The excess oil means that the skin is prone to blackheads and often embarrassing blemishes can appear too.

If you do have oily skin, you will notice that your skin becomes dirtier a lot quicker. This is because the oil attracts dirt and dust from the surrounding environment and that can often clog up the pores.

Overall a person with oily skin will never have a clear complexion due to the fact that the oil does attract dirt and dust. No matter how old you are, oily skin will still cause you to have breakouts and occasionally Acne. So what can you do to stop oily skin in its tracks?

Prevention Tips for Oily Skin

There are quite a few tips in order to keep your oily skin under control. With a little tender care you can help your skin to become oil free and to help it to look happy and healthy again!

Cleanse As Though Your Life Depended on it

Ok, so you may not have to take cleansing that seriously, but it is important that you cleanse every single day. Be sure to use plenty of hot water as that tends to have a drying effect, and also use soap too.

Milder products are always better to sue, as harsher ones can often strip the skin of essential oil, and encourage dry, flaky skin which would completely reverse your situation. Although you are looking to get rid of the excess oil, you still need to keep some of the oil there to keep the skin moisturized.

If you do use a fairly harsh cleanser, it is always a good idea to follow up with a really light moisturizer, but generally it is better to opt for a mild cleanser.

Do Not Touch Unaffected Areas!

If you have oily skin in some places, but not in others, it is important to wash your hands straight after you have touched any oily parts of the skin. This is because, if you have oil on your hands and you touch your face for example, you are spreading the oil and the dirt to the face and now you are likely to develop a pimple there.

It is extremely important to wash your hands after touching your oily skin; otherwise you will end up with a worse problem than you had before!

Overall, oily skin is frustrating but there are treatments out there. Just by following simple hygiene rules and cleansing regularly, you should find that the problem starts to disappear. As well as cleansers, some natural remedies may also help and you can find hundreds of recipes online if you take the time to search for them. Oily skin can cause a lot of complexion problems but you can defeat them if you try!

Louise Forrest
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/do-you-really-know-the-problems-which-oily-skin-can-bring-126094.html

Dry skin is a common yet troublesome condition that affects many people. The symptoms include rough, dry, pealing skin which may cause itching and inflammation. Scratching it will only cause further damage to the skin and more pealing. So if you suffer from dry skin here’s a guide to the most effective techniques and treatments to help your skin.

The Causes Of Dry Skin

Dry skin is a common problem that affects millions of people all over the world. In fact, you should consider yourself lucky if your skin is neither too dry nor too oily.

Dry skin, or to use the proper medical term, xeroderma, can affect any part of the skin, but the areas most commonly affected include the arms, legs, thighs and stomach. The dehydration of skin causes dead skin cells to remain on the surface of the skin which can lead to blocked pores and a range of undesirable conditions including blemishes, acne and other skin complaints.

It can be caused by a wide range of factors, including;

a) Environmental Factors

Exposure to excessive wind, low temperatures, sun, cosmetics, chemicals, cheap soap and alcohol based skin products will dry out the skin. If the oil glands of the skin can’t produce enough oil to keep the skin lubricated, dehydration will occur, leading to the effects of dry skin.

b) Cleansing

Bathing your skin too infrequently can lead to dry skin. However, bathing too frequently can also lead to dry skin, especially if you use cheap soap that dries the skin even further. Ideally, it’s best to strike a balance and avoid either of these extremes.

c) Dehydration

Every day the body needs a certain amount of liquid to survive. But beyond that it needs plenty of pure, clean water to keep its skin properly hydrated. So aim to drink at least two litres (four pints) or water every day. This will help to flush toxins from your system, provide adequete hydration for your skin and reduce the chances of suffering from dry skin.

d) Aging

As people get older, their skin produces less oil to keep the skin lubricated and protected.

e) Medical Conditions

Dry skin can be caused by certain genetic conditions but this is relatively rare. However, an underactive thyroid can lead to dry skin, and there’s also evidence to show that people with type 2 diabetes can suffer from dry skin.

f) Vitamins

A deficiency in vitamin A and the various B vitamins can also contribute to dry skin.

How To Treat Dry Skin

1) Cleanse And Moisturise

Skin must be kept clean and regularly exposed to water or it won’t be able to function properly. So make sure you bathe your skin every day and apply a moisturiser. If possible, avoid using common soap and all products that have an alcohol base, as these will dry the skin further.

One of the best treatments for dry skin is to take a bath or shower in the evening and then apply a thin layer of coconut oil over your entire body. This will help to moisturise and soften your skin throughout the night and the following day.

Coconut oil is one of the best substances for the skin. It moisturises, it soothes, it even heals minor abrasions and is great on dry, chapped lips.

And if that’s not enough, coconut oil is also incredibly cheap when compared to all the other brand name moisturisers on the market. But make sure you get the oil in its most basic form, that hasn’t been refined or mixed with chemicals to give it a distinctive odour. All of that will detract from its natural properties.

2) Use Sunlight

Apart from keeping your skin clean and well moisturized, a health skin requires daily exposure to light and air. The skin plays host to a wide range of micro-organisms including bacteria and yeasts which no amount of cleaning will remove. Sunlight is one of the best ways to keep these bacterias within acceptable levels and promote healthy skin.

Sunlight also causes the body to produce vitamin D3 which is another essential element of healthy skin. So aim to get half an hour of daily sunlight on the areas that are affected by dry skin. However, make sure you use an appropriate sunblock to avoid getting burnt, and keep your skin properly hydrated by drinking plenty of water and using a moisturizer.

3) Maintain A Healthy Diet

This is one of the best ways to promote the general health and beauty of your skin. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. Apples, peaches, pears, bananas, grapes, cherries, plums etc are all great for your skin.

4) Check The Humidity Of Your Living Environment

Living in an environment where the air is incredibly dry will help to dry out your skin and make the condition worse. So consider using a humidifier to put back some moisture into the air.

5) Use The Right Cosmetics

Cosmetics can contribute to dry skin. They may even cause allergic reactions and lead to contact dermatitis. If you develop a problem with dry skin around the area where you apply your make up, this is a sure sign that your cosmetics are at least partly to blame.

So experiment until you find cosmetics that suit your skin. Products that use natural ingredients are less likely to cause skin problems. Keep them in good condition, and read the application instructions fully.

And finally, if none of these ideas and treatments help to relieve your dry skin, make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist. Persistent dry skin may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Your doctor will be able to check your general health and provide advice on the best way to treat your skin

Hannah Garcia
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/dry-skin-effective-treatments-137146.html

One of the most common areas affected by fungi and bacteria is the feet. Since it prone to being warm and moist, the foot is usually home to the fungi known as “dermatophytes”-the kind fungi that causes athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot also known as “tinea pedis” is considered one of the very common skin problems experienced by people all over the world.

Statistics say that adult males compared to women commonly experience athlete’s foot. This condition is also known to affect young boys and girls before they enter puberty stage. Experts also say that people who have weak immune systems also become prone to infections such as athlete’s foot and they have to take precautions and preventive measures to avoid further infection.

The fungi that cause the foot infection usually thrive in warm, moist, and dark environments that include shoes or places where people use the same facilities because these are ideal breeding grounds for the germs to easily multiply.

The usual symptoms of athlete’s foot include scaling and peeling between the toes, mild pain, odor, blistering and itching. If remained untreated, harmless athlete’s foot can lead to severe athlete’s foot that causes extreme pain, bleeding, large amounts of scaling, painful foot blisters, stinking odor and may also spread in the different parts of the body once it is become associated with bacterial infection.

AVOIDING SEVERE ATHLETE’S FOOT

You will know if the athlete’s foot becomes severe when the fungus has already set off a reaction that lead to tissue breakdown. Characterized with soggy, softened, and whitened skin, eroded toe webs, severe itching, foul odor, painful cracking and blisters with bleeding, severe athlete’s foot should be examined by a physician before it becomes associated with a more complicated condition such as onychomycosis or the fungal infection of the toenails.

Before it becomes a severe and complicated infection that can result to allergic reaction when it infects the blood stream, take these precautionary measures in treating the skin condition:

1. Make sure that you always keep your feet dry at all times especially the toe webs.

2. Use athlete’s foot products such as antifungal cream, powder, lotion, or spray to kill and delay fungal growth.

3. Start wearing socks preferably made of cotton or absorbent fibers and make sure that you change once they get soak with sweat.

4. Try wearing waterproof sandals or athletic slippers when you have to use public showers and or stay in public pools.

5. Go barefoot or wear open-toe sandals when you could especially if the weather is hot or humid to keep your feet dry.

6. Don’t wear shoes that are too tight and poorly ventilated shoes.

7. Make is a habit to expose your shoes at night to provide it proper ventilation.

8. If possible, try not wearing the same shoes everyday to avoid the growth and spread of fungi.

Low Jeremy
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/before-athletes-foot-becomes-severe-100628.html