Skin Care Tips for Summer

With the enhanced flow of skin’s oily discharge, epidermal layer may be prone to dullness, loss of luster and blemishes. Secondly, owing to the increased susceptibility to the damaging UV rays of sun, there is a consequential increase in the formation of patches and wrinkles. In order to overcome the seasonal blemishes and loss of collagen, it is important to comply with certain skin care regimen.

• Drink at least 15-20 glasses of water to keep yourself hydrated. Other than providing the necessary moisture, it will help flush the toxic content.
• Make sure that the sunscreen used is applied at least fifteen to thirty minutes before stepping out in the sun.
• According to dermatologists and skin care specialists sun protective formula meant for summer should have a higher SPF content. SPF-30 should be used during summer.
• Similarly special care should be taken to have it applied twice or thrice during summer, other than using the same prior to stepping out in the sun.
• For those choosing to swim and bask in sun, sun protective formula should be applied every hour and twenty minutes to overcome the damaging impacts of sun burn, rashes and blister formation.
• Use of moisturizer watery in base is necessary during summer. Rose water which happens to be an effective toner cum moisturizer may be used as part of toning and moisturizing.
• Juice extracted from cucumber or watermelon may be similarly used for moisturizing facial skin.
• Application of moisturizer containing aloe extracts or for that matter application of aloe gel serves to be an effective summer healing option.
• As far as caring of feet and hands are concerned, soaking hands and feet in water enriched with a pinch of salt will help boost blood circulation.
• Make it a point to resort to the same at least once in a week.
• Avoid wearing closed shoes that block free circulation of air, in its place go for flats and sandals that make for necessary circulation.
• Other than avoiding moisturizer with oily base, it is also necessary that one avoids using synthetics and silk preferable during winter.
• For excessively dry skin types, olive oil may be used as an alternative to oily based moisturizers and toners.
• In order to make for healthy breathing and free circulation of the epidermal layer, tight fitting clothes blocking circulation should be avoided.
• Exfoliating the facial skin by means of a homemade scrub prepared out of half a cup yogurt, five table spoons of gram flour, a dash of turmeric and six drops of rose water can prove to be an effective option.
• Exfoliation followed by the application of facial pack consisting of three table spoons of mashed papaya , one table spoon of honey or lemon juice and white of an egg will serve to revive radiance and glow lost during summer.
• In case you want to avoid the use of egg white, the resulting blend of cucumber, honey and yogurt may be used to provide cooling touch to the skin
• In order to get rid of uneven summer tanning, go for a blend of gram flour, yogurt and squeezed juice of half a lemon, to apply the same on parts affected.
• Mixture consisting of honey and potato juice serves to be a good option for overcoming tan.
• Honey is similarly effective in overcoming conditions of scars and rashes.
• Avoid carbonated drinks containing soda and high doses of sugar. Instead go for juices extracted out of fresh fruits like lemonade and that extracted from unripe green mango.
• In cases of bites and stings during summer, soothing the affected part by means of an ice pack will prove to be healthy.

Best Ways to Stay Wrinkle Free

Since how long have you been wondering if it is really possible to get back that wrinkle free face and body that you had as a teenager? You may not be able to get that clean and clear face once you had but there are certain things you can do at different stages in life to reduce wrinkles. It is always advisable to avoid taking extreme steps such as the Plastic surgery and injections. Instead you can achieve it by maintaining a simple lifestyle and using natural skin related products to arrest its future occurrences. Here’s a few do’s and don’ts to get that wrinkle free face:

Use effective lotions and creams

There is a huge influx of wrinkle free creams and lotions in the market in recent years. According to many researches and reports, some wrinkle creams have shown good results. While buying a wrinkle free cream you should look for ingredients like coenzyme Q10, copper peptides, hydroxyl acids, retinol and kinetin. Since dehydrated skin is more prone to wrinkling, you must also use some good moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated all the time.

Limit your sun exposure or wear a sunscreen

Many studies have reported about the bad effect of sun exposure on the skin. Body parts such as the face, neck, the back of hands and the top of the forearms are often exposed to sun and more prone to wrinkles. You should use a sunscreen above SPF 15 when going outdoors. You should also try to avoid sun exposure between 10 am to 4pm. Look out for shades, or cover up yourself with long-sleeved shirts and trousers.

Wear sunglasses

Issues such as the Cow’s feet around the eyes can be the result of repeated squinting or excessive sun exposure. To overcome this, you can wear a sunglass or squint your eyes less frequently. Overtime work and stress also leads to fewer creases. People squint more when in front of computer screen or television. So, next time you can make it a point to avoid doing it.

Avoid Smoking

Studies have shown that smoking cigarettes can contribute to wrinkles. When you smoke, the blood vessels narrow down in the top layer of the skin, eventually leading to reduced blood flow and less absorption of oxygen and nutrients. The chemicals present in cigarettes will break down collagen and elastin. Air pollution and excessive drinking are other factors for increased skin aging and wrinkles. Put a curb on your alcohol consumption, and at the same time, consider buying an air filter for your home if you are living in an air polluted area.

Related articles

• Stopping the Signs of Aging Skin (everydayhealth.com)
• All About Eye Creams (bellasugar.com)
• SPF For Your Skin Type: Sensitive Skin (bellasugar.com)
• 5 Ways to Reduce Wrinkles Naturally (ktrmurali.wordpress.com)

5 Ways to Reduce Wrinkles Naturally

Shocked to see those wrinkles making you look older day by day? Nobody gets younger, but we do all that is possible to look the best.
Technology these days has provided ample number of anti aging supplements, anti wrinkle creams etc. Innumerable websites, loads of commercials, billboards and banners induce the customers to believe that money can make them look younger.

Why spend so much when you can get rid of those lines and crow feet by home remedies? Here are a few ways to reduce wrinkles naturally!

* Egg White

By and large eggs have been proved to be a great source of treatment for all kinds of skin conditions (acne, blackheads, pimples etc). An egg white face mask serves a good purpose for wrinkles.

Separate the egg whites from the yolks into a bowl. Beat this up in a small bowl and apply onto the skin. Massage gently and allow it to dry for 15 minutes. Wash your face with warm water and apply a good moisturizer after sometime.

* Fruits and vegetables

A simple healthy diet always reflects on your skin. Fruits and vegetables provide essential ingredients that remove toxins and enhance the quality of the skin. Remember to have fresh ones rather than refrigerated as you would loose out on a lot of nutrients in the latter case.

Add a lot of Vitamin C and Vitamin E in your diet. They are helpful in providing a healthier skin and reducing wrinkles. Pick up a handful of walnuts everyday, on your way to work, and some whole grains too.

Avoid fried foods and saturated fats as much possible. Smoking and alcohol too have their effects on aging; the former ruins your health and physical appearance.

* Olive Oil

Olive oil is a great moisturizer for all skin types. It is highly rich in a large number of anti aging nutrients (omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin E, monosaturated fats)

Olive oil not only lessens wrinkles to a great extent but also and avoids new ones. Smoothly massage a few drops of the oil on the face before bedtime and wash it off. You could also do a face steam for about 15 minutes and then massage over the wrinkles around the eyes or wherever required.

But do not over use it. Excess of olive oil blocks the pores resulting in blackheads and pimples.

* Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is another good natural remedy for eye wrinkles. It helps you retain a soft, healthy and moisturized face. It works wonders for skin blemishes, fine lines and other signs of aging(dark circles etc).

Dip a ball of cotton into the lemon juice and apply on the wrinkles. Repeat this twice a day and you will find the difference in a few weeks. Also, squeeze some juice onto your hands and apply it over the face and neck. be gentle on your face while applying.

* Massage

A good relaxing massage for the face not only aids in preventing wrinkles but also bring a well being state of mind and spirit. Aromatherapy combined with facial massage is a great combination.

Before Giving a massage, always clean your face and make sure you hands are clean. Ensure all the makeup has been removed, else the skin could be blocked by particles and dirt.

Procedure-

Begin the massage from the neck upwards and end at the forehead; the veins and tissues get blood circulation). Do not rush, go slow from the neck and increase the speed as you move up. It has to be done slowly by hitting and vibrating the skin. Press the skin lightly with the tip of the fingers. At the end, remove the massaging oil with damp cotton pads and apply a face cream.

After the massage avoid applying any makeup during the next three/ four hours.

Five Major Hair Care Myths you Shouldn’t Believe

Are you the one who always believes in those age old health belief and myths when it comes to hair care? Then it’s time to hold on and think again. Some of these myths are not always good for your hair. If you want to benefit from the best treatments, make sure you get all the facts straight, in order to distinguish facts from these myths.

Plucking a Grey Hair Causes Two to Grow Back

It is absolutely not true; Plucking hair will actually damage your hair roots. It can even infect the empty root and lead to severe pain by leaving a scar. It, by no means cause more grey hairs to sprout out. If it does, then people would have never faced baldness as it provides the best natural remedy for it.

Brushing your Hair Every Night Makes it Grow and Add shine

There is an age old belief that brushing your hair at night is good compare to combing. In fact too much of brushing could damage your hair by causing split ends. Excessive brushing can lead to breakage or hair fall problems. Always try to use a boar’s bristle brush and avoid brushing when it’s wet. This myth originated in the middle Ages to reallocate scalp oils. Today it’s not relevant as most people use shampoo.

Fixing Split Ends

There is no alternative way to fix your split ends other than trimming. This myth might have started with a company selling a split end fixing product, but split ends are incurable – they can’t be fixed. You have to cut them off. Some products will temporarily seal ends together, making hair softer and more manageable. It will make splits invisible and that’s the end of ‘Fixing’ it.

Regular Hair Washing Causes Hair Damage

It is absolutely wrong unless you’re using a shampoo that leaves scum in your hair, a good shampoo and conditioner will give you nice healthy hair. Make sure that you follow a right method while washing your hair. It’s not advisable to washing hair with your head upside down. Let water from the shower flow down your hair length.

Braids Will Help Your Hair Grow Faster

Tight ponytails, cornrows or buns can cause Traction alopecia, real hair loss condition caused by pulling hair too tight by applying too much tension. This is quite common amongst older African American women. Braiding too tight and too long can even cause baldness. Use a looser style that minimizes scalp tension to avoid potential problems.