PERSONAL CARE PART1 - SKIN CARE

Health and Beauty comes from inside. The outside appearance is mostly a reflection from the inside. In this blog I like to give you tips and tricks to increase your inner and outside health and beauty. I like to show you that it is very possible to use natural ways, natural therapy and nature products to change your appearance. Glowing hair and prevention from starting baldness in my subject haircare.

Beauty is not caused. It is.

Great skin is the first step toward an excellent makeup. Skin plays a vital role in our life, how one looks and feels directly correlates to ones skin. Making the best choices for our bodies, and ultimately our skin, is achieved through diet/ food, exercise, regular professional treatments, personalized homecare, and a healthy mental attitude.

The type of skin you have depends on your genes, sex, age, environment, structure and regeneration. How you treat your skin will always be evident in your face, hands and body. Its never too early nor too late to begin looking after your skin.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OILY, NORMAL, DRY SKIN :

Your skin type is determined by how much -- or how little -- oil your skin produces. Genes, diet, stress level, medication & even your skincare regimen all determine how much oil your skin produces.

To determine what skin type you have, take the 'skin test.'

To do this, wash your face & pat it dry then take a few pieces of rice paper or lens-cleaning tissue paper & press on different spots on your face. If your skin is oily, the paper will stick, pick up oily spots & become translucent. If the paper doesn't stick or pick up any oily spots, your skin is dry. If it sticks in your t-zone (forehead, nose & chin) then you have combination (or normal) Skin. About 70 percent of women have combination skin.
Here are the 5 different skin types & their characteristics.

• Type 1: Oily

Oily skin tends to shiny with enlarged pores, and is prone to blackheads & blemishes. You might experience some tightness.

• Type 2: Combination/normal

This skin type has medium pores, a smooth & even texture, good circulation, healthy color, may tend toward dryness on the cheeks while being oily in the t-zone
.
• Type 3: Sensitive

Sensitive skin tends to be thin, delicate with fine pores. It flushes easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently allergic & can be rashy.

• Type 4: Dry

Dry skin feels tight, especially after cleansing, & have fine wrinkles, flaking & red patches. In women of color, skin may appear ashy or dull from dead skin buildup.

• Type 5: Aging or sun-damaged

This skin also feels tight with visible wrinkles, slack skin tone -- especially around the cheeks & jawline -- with leathery texture & broken capillaries.
The right ways to cleanse, moisturize & exfoliate your skin:
You probably learned in school that your skin is your body's largest organ. What you probably weren't taught is how to properly care for your skin. The truth is no matter your age or skin type, the minute you start taking care of your skin -- keeping it clean, nourished & pampered -- it will respond in gratitude & you will reap the benefits. Here I show you tips on how to properly care for your skin, from the right way to wash your face, to the best moisturizers & UV protection.
Before we start with the proper daily 4-step skincare routine, you'll need to know your skin type. How you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged. Check out this article to determine what skin type you are.

The Basic 4-Step Skincare Regimen

You need to find a good cleanser that
• your skin responds well to, and stick with it. Avoid soap at all costs. According to Rona Berg, in her book, 'Beauty,' a French cosmetics executive once told her 'soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down.' Most cleansers contain oil, water & surfactants. The oil dissolves oil on your face, surfactants dissolve dirt & makeup & the water washes it all away. The secret is finding the right mix of oil. Too much on your skin will clog pores, while too little will dry it out. This is why you need to know your skin type.
Most women need only clean their faces at night. In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need. However, if you apply moisturizer at night, you will need to cleanse in the morning, too. Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both hot & cold water causes broken capillaries) & never go to bed with makeup on, you run the risk of clogging your pores. Also be careful about over-cleansing your skin.

Step 1: Cleansing Simple is key here.


Here's the best way to wash your face: Use warm water to loosen dirt & clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser & gently apply it in a circular motion, then rinse with cool water. Cool water tends to tighten the pores. You'll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.


Step 2: Exfoliate


The most important thing you can do for bright, glowing skin is gentle daily exfoliation,' Katie Rodan, clinical assistant professor at Stanford University, said in Allure's April 2005 issue. 'Not weekly, daily. Do it in the shower every morning, a routine like brushing your teeth.'
Every 3 weeks, skin cells are replenished, meaning new skin cells make their way up from the lowest level of the epidermis. The secret to exfoliating is to make way for new skin cells by getting rid of dead skin cells. Removing dead skin cells helps give your skin a youthful, fresh appearance not only because new skin cells are fresh & plump, but because getting rid of the dead skin allows your skin to absorb moisturizer more readily. Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their daily skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference.
So how much should you exfoliate?

If you have oily or combination skin, you'll need to exfoliate 4 or 5 times a week, after you cleanse. If you have dry skin or sensitive skin, it's recommended that you exfoliate once or twice a week. You'll actually need to exfoliate more in summer & any hot months because sweat acts like glue & will cause your dead skin cells to stick together and coat your skin. Many women with mature or sun-damaged skin (a sure sign: wrinkles) have turned to different types of hydroxies which act as deep exfoliants. According to Berg, one of the reasons men's skin looks more youthful than women's is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave.
Should you use a toner?

Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not. Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup & dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. So go ahead, skip it & save money. Turns out only copy machines really need toner.


Step 3: Moisturize


A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from moisturizers. (The only exception is those with acne). Why? Moisturizers attract moisture & draw it into the skin. They also seal in moisture (Berg calls this the 'Saran Wrap effect') & plump skin cells. So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to overmoisturize -- this can cause pore-clogging. For the skinny on great moisturizers for your skin type, check out this article.


Step 4: Apply sunscreen


The #1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use sunscreen from your early years on even in winter & on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase 2 moisturizers: one for nighttime & one for daytime that includes UV protection. Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 & can aggravate the skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains 1 of 3 ingredients as an 'active ingredient': titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
NATURAL FACIAL CARE:

A face pack not only cleanses your skin and pores but it also helps to maintain the tautness of your skin and its balance. Here are some face packs for different skin types know your skin type and choose the pack that's just right for you.



Oily skin pack:

Oily skins have very active sebaceous glands that secrete more oil leaving the skin look dull and greasy thus attracting a lot of dirt which then clogs the pores. It needs a thorough cleansing routine to remove the surface grime and unclog blocked pores. For this you need a pack that rejuvenates, tightens and exfoliates skin. Mash six strawberries with a teaspoon of Brandy, two spoons of breadcrumbs, two spoons of fuller's earth and a few drops of rose water. Mix well and apply a thick layer on the face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. Since strawberries have Vitamin C and a certain acidic properties they leave the skin sparkling clean. Breadcrumbs help to exfoliate dead skin while fuller's earth will tighten the pores and brandy would help to add some glow.

Dry skin pack:

Dry skins are usually flaky and dull looking around the eyes and cheeks. It also needs constant moisturizing. Wash your face with milk and oatmeal instead of soap as milk nourishes the skin while oatmeal acts like an exfoliater while soap dries of the skin further. For extra moisturizing, make a pack with a mixture of 10 almonds, two spoons oatmeal, four tablespoons of full cream milk, two spoons china clay, juice of half a lemon, and one mashed avocado. Apply on face and leave it for 20 minutes. Dampen cotton wool with cold milk and wipe it off. Splash your face with cold water and apply a light moisturizer.

Combination pack:

This type of skin is usually oily on the nose and forehead and dry around the eyes and cheeks. Cleanse the center zone with an astringent while dab the rest of the face with cold milk. Apply a pack made of half a cup of powered, dry peas, mixed with three spoons of curd, juice of one lemon and half a cup of papaya pulp. Apply it for 20 minutes and wash your face with ice- cold water. Better still rub an ice cube dipped in rose water over the T-Zone. It prevents enlarged pores and blackheads. Freeze tray with rose water ice cubes so you can rub your face with them any time of the day especially after a bath as it opens the pores.


The truth about facials:
• Pollution, sun rays and stress all combine to ruin your skin and lead to pre mature and early wrinkling. Facials are deep skin treatments with real benefits to counteract the ravages of pollution and the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. Besides, facials are useful as mild treatments to take care of skin and, of course, the dreaded wrinkles.

• Facials can deep cleanse, re hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. With the appropriate techniques and products, these face treatments can have a lasting revitalizing effect.

• The four important steps of a facial are:
1) Deep and thorough cleansing, exfoliating the top layer of dead skin so that the skin looks healthier.2) Rejuvenating the skin by aiding in faster cell renewal3) Providing in depth moisturizing4) It accentuates the good effects of the appropriate products.

• What most people do not realize is that with regular treatments, a lot of skin problems can be prevented and reduced. We sail through our 20's thinking sagging skin will never happen to us. Confidence begins to falter in the 30's and by the time we have reached the 40's and 50's it may be too late.

• Each facial will vary depending on your skin type, the kind of treatment you have chosen and the products used. What facials help to do is remove the dead , dull outer layer of cells that make-up the skin's surface or epidermis along with pollutants. Thus, the newer and younger cells underneath are revealed, giving the skin a youthful glow. The actual massage helps blood circulation, which in turn aids lymphatic drainage, the system, which removes our waste and toxins. The massage relaxes the face, which has over 120 muscles and to delay wrinkles it is very important to massage them consistently