Thursday, March 10, 2011

Natural Remedies for Dark Under Eye Circles

Perhaps one of the worst things a woman can see when she looks into the mirror in the morning is the dark circles under her eye area. The appearance of dark under eye circles can be unsightly and embarrassing to deal with in public - who wants to look like they’re tired all the time? The first solution most women turn to is the latest miracle eye product or serum that promises to banish any signs of dark under eye circles. However, before spending your money and being given false hope, it may be in your best interest to first try out some natural remedies.

There are more natural remedies out there than you can shake a stick at and the great thing about this approach to skincare is that it costs you little to no money. In most cases, the ingredients needed to try out the natural remedy can be found right in your home. This is true for women that want to try the natural route towards getting rid of their dark under eye circles. The downside to having a number of natural remedies to choose from is that you may be overwhelmed and not know which one will be best for you. In this situation, take a step back and try to point out the cause of your under eye circles, especially if you’ve never had a problem with this skincare issue before. Have you been burning the midnight oil for the past few nights? Stressed out? Neglecting your skincare regimen? The best natural remedy is also the simplest: get some sleep! That’s it. You’ll be surprised by how getting a good night’s rest on a frequent basis can make all the difference. If you don’t get a lot of rest, chances are you’re tired, irritable and stressed out. These can all contribute to dark under eye circles so if you’re really serious about getting rid of them, make a concentrated effort to squeeze in more sleep.



Do you maintain poor eating habits? As with sleep, not practicing good nutrition can negatively impact your complexion, dark under eye circles included. Combat this skincare problem by boosting your intake of water, fruits, vegetables and also include a multivitamin for good measure.

Still suffering from under eye circles? Then it’s time to raid your kitchen and pantry. Combine cucumber juice, lanolin cream and lemon juice and apply to your under eye area. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water. Fans of almond oil can use this product to gently massage their under eye area every night before bedtime. Have you heard about the teabag method? It’s been around for a long time and with good reason. Simply brew a cup of your favorite tea (green tea is ideal) and remove the teabag afterwards. Allow it to cool and then place on your eyes for 10 minutes. Then remove the teabag and rinse the eye area. Not only will this tried and true natural skincare remedy take care of your dark under eye circles, it will also reduce puffiness. Add a good quality eye cream to your skincare regimen as well. This is the icing on the cake.

Tame Upset Skin the Right Way

Perhaps one of the worst things about having an upset complexion is that you not only feel it, it’s also visible to the rest of the world. Anytime you hear the word “upset” when it comes to skincare, chances are other words like “inflamed”, “splotchy” and “redness” will soon follow. Trying to deal with an upset complexion is not only a hassle, it’s very common for many people. However, there are ways you can quickly treat these kinds of issues so you can move on with your life.

Each person’s complexion is different and depending on their skin type, chances are the skincare approach to dealing with upset skin may vary. However, there are some instances where there is a universal treatment to provide a solution. By now you know that your skin not only tends to react to the outside elements you expose it to but the way your body is feeling as well. Do you tend to experience small red splotches on your complexion seemingly out of nowhere? Chances are the rash is there for a reason. Stress and anxiety are two culprits that are mainly responsible for such occurrences. If you find that you suffer from this issue often, the first step is to calm down. Do what it takes to bring your stress or anxiety level to a minimum. Only by doing this will your skin start to behave and go back to normal. For an even quicker fix, you can also apply an herbal cream that is designed to soothe upset skin. After dabbing on the cream, unwind with a good book, watch a movie or a get a massage to get your complexion back to normal (believe it or not, having sex is also a great way to relieve tension, stress and anxiety for a clearer complexion!).

Another common way skin becomes upset is due to the presence of breakouts. This is an especially common experience if you have acne prone skin. Pimples tend to come with a bit of redness around the area, which can make for an unsightly appearance. One of the best treatments for bringing down the swelling of acne prone skin is to apply an OTC hydrocortisone cream. When using skincare products make sure to choose those that contain ingredients like chamomile, mint or aloe vera. These ingredients not only pamper your skin naturally but help to reduce the appearance of breakouts and eliminate redness.

Does your face tend to get really dry, flaky and red? This is obviously due to your skin not receiving enough moisture or it may be your complexion’s way of reacting to exposure to extremely hot temperatures. Sometimes it will take more than just moisturizer to get your upset skin back up to par. Make it a point to use lukewarm water when washing your face and apply your facial moisturizer while your face is still damp. This provides extra moisture that stays sealed in. When looking for skincare products, choose items that contain ceramides, which work to rebuild the loss of your skin’s natural oils.

How to Shop for Skincare Products for Your Kids

Being a parent means worrying about pretty much everything when it comes to your child or children. From what they eat to where they go and who they play with, the list of worry for a parent is seemingly endless. Skincare can be yet another area where your concerns as a parent play a huge role. Each day you have to make decisions based on your child’s wellbeing. Having knowledge about how to shop for skincare products for your children, however, will remove at least one stressful factor from your list.

As a new parent or a well seasoned vet, skincare products may be the last thing on your mind when it comes to your children. Maybe the concept of skincare where your children are concerned is no more than getting them to take a bath, putting on lotion and then getting them to bed. However, maintaining the health of your child/children’s skin is very important. From infants to toddlers and pre-teens, skincare should be a vital part of their daily routine. Healthy skin is happy skin so keep the following tips in mind while shopping for the right items for your kids.

It goes without saying that young children, especially babies, have very sensitive skin. Due to the wide selection of items available on store shelves, it can be downright confusing as to which formulas, ingredients and products would be best for your little ones. Perhaps one of the best tips to keep in mind is to use common sense. For example, if you have a newborn, you’ll only want to use skincare items that are formulated for newborns. Read the labels and make sure the products you reach for are made for your child’s age range. Another helpful tip is to avoid going overboard - keep it simple! While adults may invest tons of money on a score of items to keep their complexions on point, babies and children don’t need as much. Not only does this make things more convenient for you, it also helps you save money. For babies the most you’ll need in terms of skincare will be baby wash, shampoo and lotion. Depending on your baby’s skin type, you may have to shop accordingly for the appropriate moisturizing lotion. If you are in doubt, consult your pediatrician, who can make suggestions.

When it comes to ingredients, you can’t go wrong with all natural. Many skincare lines now offer products that contain natural ingredients while being formulated for young skin. Because sun damage is always a threat for babies and young children, you’ll also want to make sure you’ve got quality sunscreen made for kids. If you can find a body lotion that contains SPF that is a plus.

Although you may want your baby or children to smell good, avoid skincare items that are heavily scented. This is usually a sign that the ingredients contained will be too harsh on your child’s skin, which could result in dryness or a negative skin reaction.

Cool Off Your Rosacea this Winter

Rosacea is a skin condition that can turn into a huge nuisance for those that suffer from it. Characterized by the appearance of red splotches on the face and swelling, this skin issue often targets adult women. There currently is no explanation for what causes roascea but there are ways to treat and reduce the symptoms. When it comes to the weather, most sufferers tend to dread the hot summer months but what they may not know is that the winter temperatures can also pose as a threat to their complexions.

The association between hot weather and rosacea is fairly simple. Extreme heat can easily cause a person’s complexion to become stressed, which typically results in the blood vessels becoming enlarged, producing the flushed appearance and inflammation. When it comes to cold weather, however, most rosacea sufferers may think the cooler temperatures would be ideal for keeping their complexions in better condition. But in many cases that could not be farther from the truth.

Because complexions with rosacea do not have properly functioning barriers to protect the skin from foreign substances while keeping moisture intact, this leaves it vulnerable to any type of extreme temperature change - cold weather included. In the winter, a person with rosacea will experience their complexion drying out much easier due to loss of moisture, resulting in higher sensitivity to anything that is put on it, including skincare products. The appearance of tiny cracks is also a common symptom of this skin condition, which can cause discomfort when treating the area.

So what is a person with rosacea to do when the weather starts to get colder? Luckily, there are a couple of solutions you can try in order to keep your skin happy this winter. The first is to minimize your exposure from extreme cold to extreme heat. This includes going from being outdoors in cold temperatures to being indoors with the heater blasting. The back and forth in temperature is the fastest way to aggravate your skin. When this can’t be prevented, make sure you use a scarf or other type of winter clothing that will protect your complexion while out in the elements. To reinforce your skin’s health, use sunscreen - even during the winter. If your face tends to get very dry during the winter, purchase a humidifier for your home. On those cold nights your humidifier should be combined with your heater so that you not only stay warm but are pampering your skin at the same time. A heater alone can strip moisture from your face, further aggravating your rosacea.

Stress also plays a crucial element in how your complexion appears so do your best to keep your stress levels down during the winter. It’s easier said than done, but once you start to see the change in your skin for the better, you’ll be even more motivated to do right by your complexion. In terms of skincare products, invest in moisturizers that use natural ingredients for improving hydration and reinforcing your complexion’s protective barrier. Look for skincare products with gentle ingredients that are formulated for sensitive skin types. You may also want to increase your intake of certain fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which help maintain and replenish your skin’s oil levels.

Purify Your Life by Taking the Toxins Out

In the effort to improve our lives, sometimes we take measures that are overboard and even unnecessary. Sometimes the real answer lies in the little things and keeping our lives simple. This can be applied to just about any area, including skincare, anti aging and even nutrition and exercise. Why not make things easier on yourself by working on the little things that don’t take that much effort? When it comes to purifying our lives and removing toxins from our bodies and even the environment, the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

The concept of detoxification has taken on a whole new meaning, causing people to undergo procedures such as fasting, drinking special concoctions to cleanse their systems and even taking pills and powders that promise to remove all the impurities from their bodies and skin. However, such extreme measures may not be necessary if you know how to detoxify your life on a daily basis. With each small milestone you’ll be able to purify yourself from head to toe.

If you want to keep your complexion vibrant, healthy and free of toxins, you don’t necessarily need to spend a ton of money on spa treatments. A clay mask is all you’ll need. This skincare product can be purchased at affordable prices at any store, online or at your favorite specialty skincare store. There are different types of clay mask products to choose from, all formulated to cater to every skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, choose a clay mask that is green or red, which will absorb the excess oil and set your complexion back to normal. This product can be used on a weekly basis to maintain a glowing complexion.

Another way to purify your skin and keep it at its best is to choose skincare products that do not list parabens on the ingredient label. This is especially important when it comes to body lotions. Studies show that exposing your skin to high levels of parabens can negatively affect the body’s endocrine system. When in doubt, opt for products that contain organic ingredients and formulas.

Want to make sure the air that you breathe at home is free of toxins? There are two ways you can go about achieving this. The first step is to purchase paint that does not contain volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs. Volatile organic compounds are automatically released into the air, polluting it with the fumes that we all have smelled before when opening a new can of paint. Luckily, there are more and more paint products being made without VOCs that are much safer for use inside the home. Paints that are free of VOCs don’t even require you to air out the room after painting it. The second step you can take to purify your home is by decorating your living space with lively house plants. It is a known fact that plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide, which is one of the most harmful toxins out there, and produce fresh oxygen. Just a few small potted plants in your windows and in choice areas of a room can bring in all the fresh air you need.