Skin Care Treatment for Our Beauty

Honey, as the queen of skin care ingredients, has been used for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks were probably one of the first to enjoy the beauty-enhancing benefits of honey. They discovered way back then how this nature-based sweetener left the skin soft and looking young.

Cleopatra herself, the matriarch of natural beauty, used honey as the basis for her own natural skin care. It was the main ingredient she used in her skin care regime to keep her skin youthful and radiant.

And now more and more people are going back to this time-proven skin enhancer. Just like Cleopatra, we want our skin to feel soft, firm and lifted. And, if you’ve ever tried using a honey mask, you know that’s exactly how it leaves your skin feeling – refreshed, firm and silky smooth.

So what are the qualities in honey that make it so good for the skin? Here are just a few of the reasons why honey is such a popular natural skin treatment.

Natural sunblock – prevents skin damage

Wow, who knew? Scientists and researchers have found that honey is an antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it protects the skin from the sun which – as you know – can be the cause of premature aging, skin damage and even skin cancer.

Moisturizer – smooths and rejuvenates skin

Honey helps to nourish skin because it’s a natural moisturizer that attracts and retains water. This moisturizing effect is what smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Antibacterial and antiseptic – treats and heals skin conditions

Scientists have discovered that honey is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic agent which prevents bacteria growth… which makes it an excellent treatment for acne because it cleanses the pores and prevents microbes from growing on the skin.

And because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities, it’s also great for scars and dark spots. Studies have even found that honey, used in combination with beeswax and olive oil, relieved symptoms of psoriasis and eczema.

Natural and chemical-free… safe for your skin

People have learned about the dangers of using commercial synthetic-based skin care products, and know that natural products are the safest, most effective way to take care of their skin. Using honey in your skin care treatments lets you feel good about yourself in two ways – you feel good about getting a soft, supple, younger-looking complexion, but you also feel good about the product you’re using to take care of your skin.

As with every industry, the beauty industry is no different with trends – they catch on. One product begins the trend and as competitors see the popularity they jump on the bandwagon so to speak. Usually, we start seeing the trends approximately 3 years after the first “hero” product is introduced. Here are some of the beauty trends that we have been following for the past year and what you will expect to see in weeks, months or within the year on your beauty counter.

Skin Care: Argan Oil
Argan oil has taken the leap from hair care, most of us know this oil as part of the formulation of treatments for the hair. Argan Oil is rich in Omega 6 which is composed of linoleum and oleic acids which add moisture and softness to hair; vitamin E antioxidant; vitamin A which has many derivatives that reduce wrinkles, increase collagen, increases skin thickness, and increases hydration. Because of the antioxidants in Argan Oil it is now making its way into skin care.

Nail Care: Top Coat Effects
There are only so many colours that can be introduced as a nail colour company. Now, companies are hedging their bets that a celebrity will entice you to purchase that new colour but that’s not the new trend. The new trend is the designs that can happen with a top coat. Crackle top coats that dry to leave a “leopard” like print on your nails are gaining popularity and have begun to make the leap to the mainstream. This trend brings the art of nail design, without the pro, into your home.

Scalp Care: Scrubs
A long neglected part of our bodies, the scalp is seeing some overdue attention. Like the rest of our skin the scalp can experience some of the same conditions. Oily or dry scalp can lead to unhealthy hair. A dry scalp leads to flaky itchy scalp and an oil scalp can have flakes as well (which are thicker and oilier than a dry scalp). These conditions can lead to hair thats thin, weak or greasy hair.

Hair Care: Powders
Unlike, how powders were used in 18th century [for mainly adding colour to wigs], today’s powders offer a plethora of benefits. Benefits from oil removal, to texturizing to volumizing.

Tools: Infusing Ingredients
Our tools have been just that in the past. A hair dryer, flatiron or water filter for that matter. The trend that we have seen becoming more mainstream is the infusion of product through these tools. Flatirons that infuse complexes containing ingredients to strengthen the hair and shower filter systems that infuse natural botanicals for healthy, soft hair and skin.

In researching how to get younger skin naturally, I was shocked at how many unsafe products are marketed to innocent consumers, promising them a beautiful complexion while recklessly undermining their health and beauty.

This skin care review will help you to pick the best quality products for your skin. With so many beauty products available in the marketplace, it can become an overwhelming task finding something that actually works as advertised.

The secret to finding the best beauty products for your skin is to understand the link between how proper skin care is an essential aspect of health care.

Beautiful skin is a reflection of good health. Merely covering up lines and blemishes is not a good way to improve your appearance. Understanding this will help you choose products that not only make you look good, but also help you feel vital and healthy.

The Role of the Skin

The skin is the largest organ in your body, providing regulatory functions and immune system support. Unfortunately, we only pay attention to skin care when we have a health issue, but by then, it is often too late. It is easier to prevent skin problems than try to deal with them later.

Think of your skin as a way to judge your overall health. Cardiovascular, liver, and bowl disease are often reflected on the surface of your skin.

For this reason, skin care should be seen as more than just beauty treatment. By improving your skin’s ability to support your regulatory and immune system, you also ensure your health and well-being.

A daily skin care routine should not be considered a luxury; instead, it should be considered as much a necessity as brushing your teeth every day.

Focus On Natural Skin Care Products

If you are interested in younger skin naturally you must only focus on buying products that don’t contain harmful chemicals.

Instead of buying products that merely cover up blemishes, focus on products that cleanse, moisturize, and improve your skin.

Remember annoying skin blemishes are showing you that you have some general health issues that you need to address.

Youthful Skin Depend On Collagen and Elastin

Healthy skin is smooth, with no wrinkles, and it has an even tone and texture. Ideally, you will also have a soft, smooth complexion when you have healthy skin.

Healthy skin is usually evident in young people because they have an abundance of two proteins: collagen and elastin.

Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies make less and less collagen and elastin. This is why our skin begins to wrinkle. Manufacturers take advantage of people’s gullibility by promising lotions that add these two dwindling proteins. This solution is not realistic because these protein molecules are too big to be absorbed by the skin.

According to Dr Gavin Chan of The Victorian Cosmetic Institute, “Analysis of skin is the first step in improving one’s skin”. Using cosmetic products without a proper skin analysis is like knowing the store to shop for shoes but not knowing what size to wear. Read on to make sure that never happens!

For most African women, our knowledge of beauty as far as skin care is concerned ends with a cleanser, moisturizer and toner for the cosmopolitan woman (or someone who has been reading beauty magazines). A skin care analysis is important because it will help you handle decisions that affect your home skin care. For your beauty treatment to work, you need to know what products work for your skin type and cater to the unique needs that you might have. Skin analysis is usually done by an expert, who can ascertain what type of skin you have and prescribe products for you to use.

The first step is to know the medical conditions that may be affecting the skin; the second step is to examine the skin history. This involves the products which have been used in the past, if they have had any adverse effects. Use of special medication like contraceptives may also be considered when conducting an analysis. The third step is to ascertain the skin type. There are three basic skin types: Normal, Oily and Dry Skin. Just like their names imply, this refers to the level of the oil content of the dermis.

Nobrmal skin has a fine even texture with a supple and smooth surface. It has a proper balance between oil and moisture contents and is therefore moist and is neither greasy nor dry. The pores of normal skin are small and the overall skin tone is even. It looks clear and does not develop spots and blemishes. The pores of the skin are fine and barely visible. It reflects good health and needs gentle treatment.

Dr Gavin says oily skin may still feel oily and shiny after a bath, dry skin on the other hand usually feels flaky and tight after a bath. Signs of oily skin include enlarged pores, the presence of acne, blackheads and shine. Signs of dry skin include flakiness, tightness, and cracks. Many people with oily skin may not require moisturizer. Often people who have oily skin in the T-zone (nose, chin, and in between brow) may feel that they have drier skin around their cheeks. This is often termed ‘combination skin’.

Dry skin usually ages faster than other skin types as a result of its lack of moisture. Treatment of truly dry skin requires the use of moisturizer. Moisturizers, however, do not actually change or improve skin, but merely affect the way the skin feels temporarily. They can temporarily compensate for the lack of moisture/oil secretion by the skin.

Oily skin has a tendency to form acne, and the higher the oil secretions, the more blockage and acne this tends to form. Oily skins may also benefit from the use of toning creams. This can help to remove excess oil and reduce shine. Dr Gavin says topical retinoids (Retin-A, Stieva-A, Cosmedix Refine) can help to reduce oil production in oily skins, as well as increase cell turnover and reduce acne formation. Oily skin can feel dry at times due to the excess of dead skin on the surface, and a topical retinoid can help this.

When considering products, note how sensitive your skin is. This way, you can reduce the level of irritation that might occur when using a product. it is preferable to always test the product in a small area of the skin first. Dr Gavin Chan recommends use of sunscreen containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide for those with sensitive skin as it reduces irritation.

Be reminded that an exact skin analysis can only be carried out by an expert. Outlining steps to be undertaken when on a regular skin analysis with an expert, licensed aestheticism, Monique Eddleton says the first thing to do fill out a consultation card or form to get your bio data. Then the beautician will ask you what beauty concerns you have. Before examination, all makeup must be removed to ensure that the analysis is accurate. The skin is then examined under very good light and the expert explains what he/she sees and gives advice.

It is important for every woman to have a proper skin analysis. That way, she will know what products to use for her skin and won’t act based on trial and error from her sister’s advice… or TV ads.

Have you ever bought a beautiful hair accessory only to find that it loses its luster on dull or damaged hair? Well I sure have and it compelled me to research the good old fashioned hair treatments that left our hair soft, shiny, silky and stylish. I remember those days so well, but for the younger set they may seem strange and unusual. Let’s take a look and learn.

Many women are shoes or a handbag collectors, my weakness is good quality hair accessories. For one very special occasion I purchased this beautiful, quality hair clip, adorned in gold and with yellow heart shaped crystals. All dressed up in my beautiful black cocktail dress and feeling sure to be the bell of the ball, I was devastated when I carefully placed my lovely hair adornment into my stylish up-do only to find that once placed, it looked totally washed up against my flat, lifeless, and dull hair. My beautiful and stylish look was suddenly blahh…… And my confidence went south!

So began my research to find the best, the most natural, hair treatments to help restore my hair back to life and liberty. My hair accessories demanded it!

I started with the usual new products that promised to make my hair shiny and silky, just like the girl in the commercial whose hair spun like strands of pure silk. Some of these products did a very nice job but I needed more so I looked back in time, for the sake of my damaged, dull hair.

When I was a teenager, back in the 70s, we would regularly use rain water that we collected in a bucket, to wash and rinse our hair; we would use essential oils, vinegar, beer and I even used eggs as hair care treatments that improve my hair’s condition and made it shine. Okay, eggs were my own invention I swear! But they are now known for their ability to soften and smooth hair. Let’s look at some of those homemade and slightly bizarre, but very effective hair treatments.

Beer has Vitamin B and natural sugars which are great for body and shine. Beer also makes a wonderful styling lotion. The ingredients in beer will coat the hair and help repair damage.

A warm rinse once every few weeks with flat, warm beer is very effective as it tightens the hair cuticle. Apple cider vinegar can also be added or used alone, with warm water, and for darker hair, a few drops of essential rosemary oil is a great hair highlighter; for blond to light brown hair you can use olive or Jojoba oil.

To use beer as a styling lotion, put flat beer into a spray bottle, spray and style.

Once a month I use my own recipe for deep conditioning:

Mix 2 tablespoons of olive or coconut oil with 5 drops of essential rosemary oil, 7 drops of essential lavender oil in a small dish. Warm for a few seconds in the microwave and work through dry hair with your fingers until well coated. Cover with shower cap and a pre-heated towel. I will change towels about 3 times to keep the warmth in for around 20 minutes. Shampoo as normal and follow with a beer or vinegar/water rinse.

There are many ways to use eggs as a hair treatment and egg is a wonderful beauty treatment to make hair soft and smooth.

Egg yolks, whole eggs or the whites alone can be mixed with many other ingredients such as honey, cucumber, yogurt, walnut oil or lime peel and then left in the hair for around 10 minutes, or until totally dry on your hair and scalp, then rinse completely.