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By admin, August 20, 2009 4:38 pm

Skin care can be boiled down to 3 important steps, none of which is expensive or time-consuming.

The first step in skin care is cleansing. The product you use to clean your skin will depend on whether your skin is naturally: (1) dry; (2) oily; (3) neither oily nor dry; or (4) sensitive. Dry skin should not be cleansed with harsh products, such as astringents. This will dry the face out even more.

Oily skin, on the other hand, can and should be cleaned with an astringent, which will reduce the oil buildup on the skin. Skin that is neither oily nor dry can be cleansed with whatever product you like best. Sensitive skin should be cleaned with a minimal amount of cleanser, which should be free of dyes, fragrances, harsh chemicals or unnecessary additives.

You should clean your skin in the morning and before bed. Never go to bed wearing makeup; this will clog your pores and can lead to rashes and breakouts.

The second step is moisturizing the skin. If you have sensitive skin, avoid dyes, fragrances and irritants such as alpha hydroxy acids. For oily skin, a very light moisturizer is recommended. For dry skin, daily moisturizer is a must.

The third step could save your life. Always, always wear sunscreen on any part of your body that is not covered by clothing or a hat. If you will be in direct sunlight for a long period of time, be aware that clothing actually lets some sunlight in, and has a very low SPF. To protect your skin from aging and from cancer, which is deadly if not detected early and treated, apply sunscreen to areas that are covered by light clothing such as t-shirts.

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By megdilts, April 22, 2009 10:58 am

Hypoallergenic (hy-po-al-ler-gen-ic) cosmetics are products that makers claim cause fewer allergic reactions than other products. Women with sensitive skin, and even those with “normal” skin, may think these products will be gentler. But there are no federal standards for using the term hypoallergenic. The term can mean whatever a company wants it to mean. Cosmetic makers do not have to prove their claims to the FDA.

Some products that have “natural” ingredients can cause allergic reactions. If you have an allergy to certain plants or animals, you could have an allergic reaction to cosmetics with those things in them. For example, lanolin from sheep wool is found in many lotions. But it’s a common cause of allergies too.

Source: Women’s Health

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By admin, April 15, 2009 3:57 pm

The best way to keep your skin healthy is to be careful in the sun.

Limit time in the sun. Try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun’s rays are strongest. Don’t be fooled by cloudy skies. The sun’s rays can pass through clouds. You can also get sunburned if you are in water, so be careful when you are in a pool, lake, or the ocean.

Use sunscreen. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) number of 15 or higher. It’s best to choose sunscreens with “broad spectrum” on the label. “Water resistant” sunscreen stays on your skin even if you get wet or sweat a lot, but it isn’t waterproof and needs to be put on about every 2 hours.

Wear protective clothing. A hat with a wide brim can shade your neck, ears, eyes, and head. Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun’s rays. If you have to be in the sun, wear loose, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts.

Avoid tanning. Don’t use sunlamps or tanning beds. Tanning pills are not approved by the FDA and might not be safe.

Your skin may change with age. But remember, there are things you can do to help. Check your skin often. If you find any changes that worry you, see your doctor.