Natural Skin Care Products

by Matt Garrett -

As more people are becoming aware of the effect of pesticides and synthetic ingredients on our environment and health, more women are interested in using natural skin care products. With the increasing demand comes more widely available natural skin care products which may be chemical-free, completely organic, or even vegan. It is estimated that, during a typical skin care treatment, a woman’s skin, hair and nails come in contact with over 100 chemicals, many of them harmful to health. In her lifetime, the average woman will ingest around four pounds of lipstick, and lipstick can contain tar, aluminum and many other poisonous or carcinogenic substances. Therefore, natural skin care products are more in demand these days, as awareness of health increases.

Natural skin care products are available in the following forms:

· Cosmetics
· Shampoos and conditioners
· Cleansers
· Skin conditioners
· Skin toners and hydrators

There are also natural perfumes, moisturizers and skin treatments. Natural and organic cosmetics are free of synthetic dyes and the color can be obtained through plants and minerals. They usually have a shorter shelf-life than conventional cosmetics, and should be replaced often. Natural cosmetics are available as foundations, lipsticks, eyeliners and other beautifying products. Many natural cosmetics use animal products such as beeswax and lanolin, and vegans, those who avoid animal products completely, should find cosmetics using vegetable oils such as palm and shea butter.

Many of consumers of natural beauty products enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy along with cleansing and conditioning their skin and hair. Aromatherapy is the art of affecting one’s sense of well-being through the use of essential oils from flowers and herbs. Some blends stimulate while others relax. Many natural skin care products are available in sets which include a shower gel, soap, shampoo and conditioner, a scrub and cologne. Orange, bergamont and cedar have stimulating effects and refresh the skin. Many report a tingling sensation after using natural citrus and cedar products. Jasmine and Ylang-Ylang soothes and prevents stress.

Natural skin care products are usually made of bases and essential oils. Depending on the product, the base may be a wax or a cream made of moisturizing oils and plant butters. Unrefined shea butter from Africa is a common choice and Tamanu from Madagascar is prized for its soothing properties. The best essential oils are expeller pressed, which means that they are extracted without chemical solvents. The bases and oils are combined to produce skin creams, cleansers, perfumes and lipsticks.

Skin masks and treatments are in-depth processes and require several types of natural skin care products for an entire treatment. Mud masks may contain real, vitamin-rich mud or clay from certain regions of the world known for producing nourishing products. A mask, which draws out the impurities from the skin and improves circulation, is usually followed by a hydrating spray. Rosewater is often used for this purpose, because of its nourishing and moisturizing properties. The skin is cleansed using a scrub, made of crushed peach pits or another rough material that sloughs off dead cells. Cleansers are used according to one’s skin type; those with dry skin may use a cleanser with a fruit such as avocado or banana, and those with oily-skin or acne find tea tree oil cleanser to be quite effective. A moisturizer completes the treatment, and is made of oils from plants such as cocoa or palm that gently add moisture without clogging the pores.

One should be careful when purchasing natural skin care products. Many conventional skin care products claim to have natural ingredients, but this might mean that they use a bit of a plant or an herb, and the other 95% of the lotion is made of chemicals. Read the label to ensure that the products you are using are all-natural, if this is important to you, and work with a company that you trust.

Matt Garrett http://www.Dry-Skin-Care.Org http://www.natural-skin-care-product.net

Article Source: http://www.articlestreet.com

Athlete's Foot - A Problem Faced Not Only By Athletes

by Kevin Pederson

Athlete's foot or tinea pedis is known as a very common skin problem. This skin disease can find its residence in anyone’s feet. Being an athlete is least bit of its concern, a hot and humid foot is what makes that disease choose you. This skin infection is caused mainly by a fungus which eats the dead skin cells and is found in plenty on your feet and mainly occurs between the toes.

The right breeding ground for this infection is a warm, dark and humid place. Our foot tends to fit the bill. The fungi actually can be seen in damp areas of the swimming pool, showers and locker room from where the athletes happen to get infected and so is the name which became widely popular.

If it is not properly treated it may come back to haunt you. It can be there for short or long period depending upon the severity of the infection. It is transmitted through contact with a cut or a bruise on your feet. Therefore, when in such place you should be take extreme care to save yourself from the athlete’s foot.

This is commonly found among men from the teens till crossing that 50 mark. It is also related to personal hygiene and how much you actually adhere to that. Some may not be that particular with their daily routine which makes them more prone to such a skin disease. If your immune system is weak they have greater chances of meeting the athlete’s foot.

This mostly hits the spaces between your toes, but can easily spread through reaching your soles as well as your toe nails. Even though adults are easily affected, children too can be a soft target. Some of the routine hygiene methods may just help you stay away from such kind of a disease, like wearing dry socks daily.

Signs and symptoms for Athletes Foot

-There is constant itching, burning sensation which cause blisters.
-Feet start burning and stinging at the soles
-Blisters are very itchy
-Your feet becomes completely dry
-With the passing days the infection spreads too
-You can also find bumps on your feet

Some of the preventive measures if infected by this infection

-Wash your feet everyday, if you happen to go for swimming then take extra care
-Drying your feet is very important
-Give some breathing space to your feet
-Cotton socks is very good as it helps in soaking the wetness
-Try not to walk barefoot
-Put talcum powder which would help to avoid excess sweating
-Soak your legs in a mixture of salt and warm water for 10 minutes
-Use of baking soda is also very effective. After rubbing baking soda rinse it and dry it thoroughly. Then the last step of this treatment is by dusting some corn starch.



Kevin Pederson is the webmaster for many home based treatment sites helping you fight the battle with easy home based cures. Home remedies For Athlete’s Foot. Salt, baking soda can be a very useful home remedy for this skin infection.

Article Source: http://www.articlestreet.com