Natural Skin Care Guide

Eyes are the most beautiful and sensitive part of our body. But the area around the eyes is very delicate so dark circles, wrinkles and sagging eyes are quite common. Dark circle around the eyes is a very distressing issue. Dark circles occur mainly due to the changes in the blood vessels under the eyes. Exposure to sun light can boost the melanin level and make the skin around the eyes darker. Lack of adequate undisturbed sleep can be another cause of dark circles. Inadequate sleep makes the skin pale which makes the dark circle appear darker. Our skin becomes thinner with age is seen as a result the discoloration of the skin is seen easily. Other causes of dark circles can be chronic sinus infections and recurrent colds. For vibrant looking eyes we need to get rid of dark circles. Now a days, a number ways have been worked out to get rid of dark circles which range from makeup to laser therapy and in some cases, surgery. But for those who want to get rid of dark circles without concealing them under make or undergoing any surgery, here are some tips.

First of all get yourself undisturbed sleep of minimum 8 hours per day. Drink plenty of water. Avoid sweets and chocolate. Take foods rich in iron contents. Take adequate quantity of vitamins and minerals to support the adrenal function in general. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables which are rich in fiber. Try to reduce your stress level.

Some home remedies can also be useful be helpful in reducing dark circles.

• Grate cucumber and take out the juice. Apply the juice around your eyes for 15-20 minutes. Wash with warm water and apply a cream. This will help you to lighten the dark circles and soothe the area.
• You can also rub the area with ice cubes wrapped in a piece of cloth.
• Apply tea bags on top of their eyes. Tea bags reduce inflammation and decrease swelling.
• Potato juice has bleaching agents in it, so you can take potato juice out and apply it on your skin. Soak cotton balls in the juice and keep them on your eyes for at least 20 minutes while having rest.
• Refrigerate the juice of cucumber. Then make a mixture of lemon juice, lanolin cream and cucumber juice and apply around the eye for 10-15 minutes.
• Apply lemon juice on the dark circles 2 times a day.
• Crush some mint leaves and apply them around your eyes.
• Dip two cotton balls in rose water and place them on your eyes, covering dark circle. This will relax your eyes.
• Mix a teaspoonful of milk powder with honey and apply this paste on the dark circles. It helps in reducing the dark circles.

Do not rub or scratch the skin under your eyes as rubbing or scratching can irritates the skin around the eyes and can break tiny capillaries beneath the skin, causing discoloration. Reduce your salt intake. Too much salt can hamper proper blood circulation in your body, and cause the blood vessels under the skin to appear bluer. Smoking is another vice which causes vascular (blood vessel) problems and make your blood vessels appear more prominent and bluer beneath the skin. So, try to quit smoking. Taking a bath with cold water daily improves blood circulation. So, try to bathe in cold water regularly. Always wear sunglasses while going out in sun and apply sunscreen lotion on the skin around the eyes. This will help your eyes from the harmful effect of UV rays.

Our eyes are the most beautiful and sensitive part of our body. It needs good care. But we often neglect our eyes and do not provide it with the care it deserves. Here are a few simple tips which can help us to keep your eyes healthy.

• A preservative free eye drop has a shelf life of one year. It’s better to use an eye drop within one month of its opening. Because, the medical properties of the eye drop starts deteriorating after being exposed to external environment making it unsuitable for further usage.
• Give up smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages as nicotine and alcohol both being toxic in nature, causes damage to the optic nerves which can lead to weak sight in the long run.
• Never rub your eyes. Rubbing make the dirt go deeper into the eyes. Instead blink several times to moisten your eyes the tears will flush the dirt out.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in Vitamin A, C and E. Include leafy vegetables and citrus fruits in your diet. Eat foods rich in beta carotene to keep a healthy eye. Have lots of fluids in form of water or fruit juice. Water flushes out the toxin from the body and also keeps it hydrated. This reduces the puffiness of our eyes.
• Wear proper eye gears while going out in the scorching sun. It protects the eyes from the harmful UV rays and dusts.
• Sleep at least for 8 hours a day. It gives rest to your eyes as well.
• Try this eye exercises whenever you feel the strain in your eyes. Close your eyes. Then rotate the eye balls clock wise first then anti clock wise for 1 minute. Take a deep breath and open your eyes.
• Apply grated potatoes or cucumber slices on your tired eyes, keep them for 10 minutes then wash it off. This will help you to reduce the dark circles around your eyes.
• Keep two used tea bags in refrigerator for some time. Take them out and place them on your eyes for a few minutes as you relax. This not only soothes tired eyes, but also reduces puffiness.
• Clean your eyes using cotton balls dipped in milk. Milk are excellent natural cleansers. Apply oil mixed in glycerin to your eye lashes and eye brows to keep them dense and dark.
• Don’t work on computers for long hours at a stretch. Take some short breaks. Try to look at green objects as it sooths the eyes.

For years women have been fighting hard to get rid of their unwanted body hairs. Now men have also joined the league. Now a days there are several ways of removing the hair. But to choose the one that suits you best, it is essential to know your skin first and the proper procedure of application of these methods. Some commonly used methods are:

Bleaching

: Though bleaching is not a hair removing method still one can use a bleach to lighten the hair colour of an area which has very less but dark coloured hair. It helps to make the hair less visible by making them lighter in colour.

Shaving:

Shaving is done with the help of a disposable razor or razor with disposable blades or electric shavers. All you require is to apply a moisturizing agent like water, shaving gel, liquid soap, shower gel on the hair before shaving. Too often shaving lead to cuts, burning sensation or a bumpy skin. As it only cuts the hair shafts off the skin so it’s a temporary arrangement. In a short time the hair shaft may be more noticeable as it grows with a blunt tip instead of the normal tapered tip. However, using razor doesn’t make hair shaft thicker, darker, or grow faster or slower.

Physical hair removal techniques

- Plucking, Waxing, Sugar waxing: Physical hair removal involves pulling the hair out of the skin. This procedure delays the hair growth because the hair has to rise to the level of the skin surface to be visible. However, repeated use of this method may hurt the hair follicle and make it inactive enough to produce hair any further. Plucking is an inexpensive but lengthy method of hair removal as it involves pulling out each hair one by one with the help of a tweezer. More over hair should be long enough to be held by a tweezer. In waxing warm wax is spread (in the direction of the hair growth) over the area with unwanted hair. It is then allowed to cool so that the hair gets stuck in the wax, then the wax is removed with the help of a strip pulling it against the growth of the hair. It is a painful method and often an expensive one when done by professionals. It often makes the skin inflamed, bumpy and rough. But this method delays the hair growth by 3 to 5 weeks. One should also take caution that the wax is not hot enough to burn the skin. In sugar waxing like the traditional method of waxing, the sugary substance is spread over the hairy area then a cloth or paper strip is pressed against the substance. The strip is then pulled against the direction of the hair growth pulling the hair out along with it. The main advantage of using this method is that the remaining sugar can easily be rinsed off from the body with water.

Depilatories

: Depilatories in form of hair removal creams and gels contains a chemical called thioglycolate, which is used to loosen the disulfide bonds, which are chemical bonds that hold skin and hair cells together. The hair cream is applied on the area with unwanted hair, left for not more than 10 minutes then when the hair dissolves and turns into a jelly like substance; it is wiped away using damp cotton or washed off with luke warm water. It can produce allergic reactions so it has to be tested first on a small area of the skin at least 48 hours before using it on the hairy area. It also has got a bad odor.

Electrolysis

: Hair removal with electrolysis involves burning the hair roots by applying electric current to the hair follicles with the help of a needle. This method has got certain setbacks like it is difficult to get a trained technician. As each hair is treated individually hence it is time consuming, the treatment can take up to 18 months. It’s a permanent but painful method and the side effects can include pain, infection, hyper pigmentation, or hypo pigmentation.

Laser

: In this technique the light ray of various wavelengths, energy output, and pulse widths is directed through your skin to the hair follicle to stop growth of the hair. It is not a permanent solution and works best for skin with lighter colours and dark coloured hairs. Under this treatment the hair can take up to 6 months to reappear. Laser treatments for hair removal must be repeated. It’s also a very expensive treatment. It seems that laser treatment retards the regrowth of new hair without causing permanent destruction to all hair follicles.

Prescription treatment

: The topical drugs like eflornithine are often prescribed for making the facial hair light. It can cause side effects like acne, inflamed skin etc. Often doctors provide antiandrogen drugs to remove the hair. Androgen is the main hormone responsible for hair growth. Application of antiandrogen blocks the production of this hormone and reduces the appearance of unwanted hair.

Knowing Cold Sores
Cold Sores are clusters of small blisters on the lip and outer edge of the mouth. The skin around the blisters often becomes red and inflamed. The blisters can break open, ooze a clear fluid, and then scab over after a few days. Some equivalent terms that are used to refer to cold sores are “fever blisters” and the medical term “recurrent herpes labialis.”
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and once infected  by HSV, it remains with us for life. Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV is highly contagious.
There are actually two types of herpes simplex virus, “type 1″ and “type 2.”
Type 1 herpes simplex virus.    Herpes simplex virus type 1 (”HSV1″) generally infects those body tissues that lie “above the waistline” and it is HSV1 that causes cold sores in the majority of cases.
Type 2 herpes simplex virus.    Herpes simplex virus type 2 (”HSV2″) usually  infects those body tissues that lie “below the waistline” only and it is this virus that is also known as “genital herpes.” Herpes simplex virus type 2 is not usually the virus that causes cold sores, although it has the capacity of doing so.

How is the virus transmitted?
The cold sore virus is basically transferred through direct or indirect physical contact. Instances of direct contact are viral transmission during kissing or other intimate behaviors. Indirect contact can occur when live virus is transferred through children putting infected object into their mouths, using of someone else’s towel, handkerchief, drinking from a common cup or glass and sharing of facial cosmetics, such a lipstick. Often the infection spreads among the members of the family due to normal contact. A kiss from a friend or relative having a lesion can introduce the virus to a person who may not have been previously exposed. The virus remains active is moist and wet surface.

Major symptoms of cold sores
* No symptoms – When a clinical infection occurs for the first time in an individual, it is called a primary infection. Primary HSV-1 infection is often sub-clinical (no recognizable symptoms) and thus often goes unnoticed.
* Lip ulcers
* Mouth ulcers
* Genital ulcers – rarely
* Corneal ulcers
* Conjunctival ulcers
* Gingivostomatitis – Inflammation of the gums and other mucous membranes in the mouth such as the tongue and inside of the cheeks. The herpes simplex virus is one of a number of possible causes of gingivostomatitis
* Recurrent cold sores

Why do we get cold sores?
Cold sores are not the result of a recently acquired herpes simplex infection instead it is reactivation of herpes virus particles already living in your body. Cold sores occur when latent herpes simplex virus particles, which have been lying dormant, become active. The dormant virus particles come from a previous herpes infection. A person’s initial herpes simplex virus infection, termed “primary herpetic stomatitis,” does not usually take the form of a cold sore and therefore a person may not relate their initial exposure to the herpes virus to the recurrent cold sores that they get. Though the basic cause of cold sores for everyone is the herpes simplex virus still not all infected get cold sores. Let’s see why it happens.

There are 3 main conditions that trigger the outbreak of cold sores.

1. A weakened immune system. 

A number of things affect our immune system, but probably the most important thing is the nutrients we get from food and supplements.  One simple way to boost our immune system is to have a proper intake of vitamin and mineral supplements. To put it simply, a weakened immune system is a primary cause of cold sores outbreaks.

2. More arginine and low lysine in cells can increase cold sore activity.

Arginine an amino acid and is the main ingredient for building new virus. Without sufficient arginine, new virus cannot be formed, thus halting the replication.  This means no cold sores. Lysine appears to help the body absorb and conserve calcium and it plays an important role in the formation of collagen, a substance important for bones and connective tissues including skin, tendon, and cartilage. Lysine and arginine compete with each other for the same space in the cell. Taking lysine supplements can speed recovery time and reduce the chance of recurrent breakouts of the herpes infection. Lysine is an essential amino acid is essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. For this reason, lysine must be obtained from food.

3.  Low pH causes cold sores.
Our acid and alkaline balance, called pH balance, is very fragile. A pH of seven is neutral. Anything below seven is acid, and above is alkaline. The perfect pH balance for optimal health is 7.5. Normally the body regulates pH level within the 6.5 to 7.4 range. A balanced diet of vegetables, meats, and fruits will help in maintaining a good pH level. Eat more vegetables, especially the green ones. Our body uses calcium as its main protocol for keeping our pH above 7.  It sucks calcium out of your bones in doing so.  This often causes osteoporosis or similar problems. Eat foods high in calcium contents and take a good nutritional supplement that contains a good supply of minerals.  Tobacco, soda, and pork contribute to acidity. So, it is advisable to avoid these foods to check cold sores.
One typical cold sore trigger is stress. Eliminating stress is the most often suggested solution for reducing, or preventing cold sores.Physical or mental stress affect us physically in three specific ways. 

Stress consumes a lot of B and C vitamins, thus weakening your immune system.
 
It lowers your body pH into the acid side of normal, which encourages the herpes virus.
 
It lowers lysine and raises arginine in the nerve cells and increases the risk of cold sore out breaks.

Primary hyperhidrosis is the condition characterized by abnormal increase in perspiration, which is excess of what is required for regulation of body temperature. Hyperhidrosis can either be generalized or localized to specific parts of the body. The most common sites for sweating are the armpits, hands, feet, face and scalp due to the relatively high concentration of sweat glands; however, any part of the body may be affected. Primary hyperhidrosis starts during adolescence or even before and the affected seems to inherit it genetically. Secondary hyperhidrosis can start at any point in life. Secondary hyperhidrosis may be due to a disorder of the thyroid or pituitary gland, diabetes mellitus, tumors, gout, menopause, certain drugs, or mercury poisoning. Such secondary forms may have more serious consequences than hyperhidrosis.

Symptoms of excessive sweating

* Heavy blushing or sweating on the face for no known reason
* An unpleasant odor caused by bacteria in the sweat
* Excessive sweating on the chest or back
* Heavy perspiration under the arms, on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands
Treating Hyperhydrosis naturally
 
Some home remedies for controlling excessive sweating:

There are many home remedies available for excessive sweating. Sweating is a natural way for cooling the body. Sweat glands located in the dermis (middle) layer of your skin produce liquid that is forced to the top of the skin when our body temperature rises. As this liquid (sweat) evaporates on your skin’s outer layer, your body temperature cools to normal levels. Sweat is a necessary function so we should not try to eliminate sweating altogether. However, since we all know that there are certain problems that excessive sweating can cause. So, these simple self-help measures can help you reduce the problem of hyperhydrosis  :

* Bathing regularly, using a loofah sponge to thoroughly scrub bacteria away from your body. In hot weather or if you are particularly active, take baths in the morning and the evening.
* Wear natural fabrics, such as cotton. Synthetic fabrics don’t allow the skin to breathe and force the sweat to stay on your skin without evaporating. Natural fibers allow the sweat to wick away from your skin, making it healthier.
* Avoid spicy foods, sugar, alcohol as much as possible
* Bathing regularly, using a loofah sponge to thoroughly scrub bacteria away from your body. In hot weather or if you are particularly active, take baths in the morning and the evening.
* Dry yourself thoroughly when you are done bathing. Pay special attention to your toes, your groin and your armpits, in which bacteria like to breed, causing those distinctive body odors. Dry thoroughly and consider using light amounts of talcum powder to keep the areas dry.
* Drink plenty of fluids, especially water (6-8 glasses daily). By drinking plenty of cool liquids, you will easily bring your body temperature down to manageable levels. Stay away from caffeine or alcohol, however, as these can raise body temperatures and promote sweat.
* Eat food rich in zinc, which has been proven to reduce sweat odors. Zinc rich foods include turkey, whole grains, nuts and legumes. On the other hand, avoid odor producing foods like fish and garlic.
* Change your deodorant. If the popular brands don’t do the trick for you, try going to a health-food store or a medical supply store which may have other more effective products for you to try. Sometimes a simple change is all you need.
* Keep your work environment cool and well aired
* Stress, tension and anxiety are common problems for everyone, though people with hyperhidrosis have the extra difficulties of coping with sweating. Try to reduce stress during the day: plan your activities carefully and make time to relax

Here are some home remedies for excessive sweating that you can use

As a matter of fact, one of the highest concentrations of sweat glands in our body is found in our underarms. But even though these glands serve as cooling purposes, and eliminate bacteria from our bodies, they’re the primary cause why our underarms stink when we sweat. The reason is that the sweat that is secreted by the glands combines with bacteria, which in turn, causes odor. People in their adolescence to early adulthood take excessive sweating with much concern because it greatly affects their individual and social lives. Luckily, there have been healthier, clean and cheap methods to treat underarm sweating in just a short period of time.
* Mixing baking soda with cornstarch is one well known remedy. Apply the mixture to your armpits before dressing and let it dry up. This helps you stay fresh. The deodorant or antiperspirants have toxins that make the sweating problem grow worse. This does not only make us sweat less, but also eliminates the toxins that build up in our underarms, thus making it cleaner and breathe easily.
* For excessive sweating infuse 1 teaspoon of dried sage in a cup of boiling water (8.oz) for 15 minutes, Strain and drink tea 2-4 times a day.
* For sweaty hands or feet, boil 5 regular tea bags in a quart of water for 5 minutes. Let it cool and then soak hands or feet for 20-30 minutes at nights.
These home remedies for excessive sweating will help make life a lot more pleasant, for you and for those around you

Essentially moisturizers are used to replace natural skin oils to cover tiny fissures in the skin, and to provide a soothing protective film. Thus, evaporation of the skin’s moisture is slowed, which helps to improve the appearance and feel of dry and aging skin. An effective moisturizer increases water content, reduces water loss, and restores the skin’s ability to retain water.

- help to make the skin smooth and supple
- duplicate and enhance the skin’s natural moisture retention mechanisms
- are good to sensitive skin – hypoallergenic, non-sensitizing, fragrance free, non-comedogenic (Read about Sensitive Skin Other Skin Conditions.)
- absorb rapidly and last long

Remember, too, just because a product has a certain ingredient, that doesn’t necessarily mean it has enough of it to make a difference. Dermatologists look for a number of substances to complete a moisturizer’s make-up:

- Emollients such as plant and mineral oils, shea and cocoa butter, petrolatum, cholesterol, silicones or animal oils (including emu, mink and lanolin). These lubricating ingredients soften and smooth skin while helping it to retain moisture.
- Water-binding agents that keep water in the skin, called Humectants, are important for skin damaged by sun and dehydration, but they won’t help your skin retain water.
- Occlusives, which are substances that physically block water loss in the stratum corneum, or layers of the skin, include: Petrolatum (in a minimum concentration of five per cent is the most effective occlusive), followed by lanolin, mineral oil, and silicones such as dimethicone, which act as a protective part of skin barrier creams.
- Soothing agents and anti-irritants, such as bisabolol, allantoin, burdock root, aloe, licorice root, glycyrrhetinic acid, green tea and chamomile extract, are added to many moisturizers to help skin handle ingredients that may cause irritation.
- Pure mixtures of amino acids are useless as moisturizers, while pure solutions of glycerin are ineffective, and propylene glycol by itself is irritating. However, alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid or glycolic acid, appear to help reduce roughness and scaling.
- Vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamins A, C and E, get mixed reviews. Some experts say these ingredients have the ability to heal and hydrate, while others insist there’s little evidence of their effectiveness when applied topically, especially in the quantity found in most moisturizers.

Moisturizers aren’t without their side effects. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor:

- sweat retention (miliara rubra, i.e.: petrolatum and lanolin)
- irritation (urea; lactic acid; propylene glycol; solvents)
- allergic contact dermatitis (fragrances, preservatives, i.e. parabens, formaldehyde, Quaternium 15 and Imidazolidinyl urea; lanolin; additives, i.e.: vitamin E and aloe vera
- photo contact dermatitis (fragrances, UV filters)

- Study the active ingredients listed on labels in order of the amount contained. If soothing aloe vera or vitamin C is 15th on the list, you’re not getting much of it
- Be wary of claims that products will increase your own natural collagen or elastin, whose job is to keep skin plumped up and youthful-looking. The molecules in these products are too big to actually penetrate the skin.
- Wash your face no more than twice a day with a gentle cleanser formulated for dry skin. Washing more often can dry your skin.
- Add a few teaspoons of olive oil or lavender-scented oil to your bath.
- Steer clear of added fragrance, preservatives and botanicals, which may irritate already dry skin

Get your money’s worth
Which is better? High-end brands or low-cost brands? Drugstore shelves seem to have an overwhelming choice of products, with each company vying for your dollars. Experts say that often low-cost brands are just as effective. You can stretch your money’s worth of product by applying your moisturizer on damp skin – it will absorb better.