Strange Skincare Ingredients

The skincare industry continues to be one of the largest growing - and most profitable - industries in the world. From regular skincare products to anti-aging miracles, men and women alike are learning to turn back the hands of time by purchasing just a couple of choice items. While most of us know that the best skincare products contain natural botanicals, antioxidants and vitamins, there is a growing part of the skincare industry that is tapping into a totally different and totally strange arsenal to create the latest and greatest products on the market.

The majority of the strange ingredients being used in skincare and anti-aging products today may seem completely useless on their own but when added to the right mixture of a skincare product, you’d be surprised by the potential they hold and what it can do for your aging complexion. Probably one of the most disgusting ingredients being used in products today is snail slime - and not just any kind of snail slime - purified snail slime. Some skincare companies are actively using this ingredient to create special skin creams that claim to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks and acne. Additionally, purified snail slime is said to make aging skin smoother and softer. So how can something so icky make you beautiful? Dermatologists say it could be due to the allantoin that is secreted by snails. Allantoin is a substance that works to product the skin and shell of the snail and helps with regeneration.

Want a healthy complexion? Then you may be interested in an up and coming skincare ingredient that is being hailed by some to be better for the skin than vitamin E: sperm. You read right, sperm. While this ingredient’s prospects are still in the early development stages, skincare insiders say the potential of sperm in facial products can be huge. Companies researching this ingredient believe the small crystals extracted from seminal fluid are more potent than vitamin E and can keep skin healthy, vibrant and soft.

If the thought of putting moisturizer containing sperm on your face may seem crazy, then maybe opting for a product with bee mucus extract will be more appealing. Skincare companies in China are turning to bee mucus extract as its latest must have ingredient in skincare and anti-aging products because of its ability to eliminate and prevent wrinkles, as well as restore a healthy balance to the complexion’s natural oils, which can be stripped or lost over time. Bee mucus extract isn’t the only byproduct of an animal that is being tapped into for anti-aging and other skincare items. Snakes are also being added into the mix, namely snake venom peptide. Anti-aging products in particular are looking into snake venom peptide as a means of reducing the appearance of wrinkles, specifically deep wrinkles, on the face. The idea of using snake venom peptide to treat wrinkles is along the same lines as the use of Botox on the signs of aging.

Can I See Some ID? Skincare that Makes You Look that Young

Want to fool the bartender the next time you hit the town for a girls’ night out? There’s nothing quite as affirming as having to prove you’re younger than you look. Sure you could have some work done. Sure you could get some injections. But the most overlooked area of anti-aging science and application is the 95% of your body that lies below your chin.

Start simple – work out. No amount of moisturizer or cellulite managing cream can replace the results of a good exercise regimen. You burn calories, build muscle, decrease your waistline and, most importantly, release endorphins into your blood stream. These endorphins are what make you feel good after your workout. And when you feel good, you look good. As you sweat, your body naturally cleanses itself of toxins and let’s face it – active skin has a glow that sedentary skin just can’t touch.

It’s easy to forget that the same principles that apply to taking care of the skin on your face can also be applied to the rest of your body. The skin on your face has collagen and so does the skin on your knees. The skin on your face has elastin and so does the skin on your hands. And these two compounds are just as vital to maintaining a youthful appearance on your hands and legs as they are on your forehead and under your eyes.

Of course this isn’t earth-shattering news. We’ve been slathering every cream known to womankind on our necks for years because nothing says “I’ve had work done” like a taut face and a sagging neck. The good news is that with the right products, you can keep both your face and the rest of your body looking young and healthy without going under the knife.

A variety of manufacturers are entering the anti-aging market with body lotions, creams and other treatments – many of which are largely inspired by the products we’ve been using for decades on our faces. Look for new products with wheat protein and shiitake mushroom complex to help smooth and tighten any previously overlooked areas. Other products approach the preservation of collagen and elastin by assisting your body in fighting off free radicals – those nasty little compounds that sabotage your body’s ability to replace the building blocks of healthy skin as you age. Retinol is another ingredient finding its way into a variety of new products as it migrates from a facial skincare only status into the total body skincare arena.

Of course, the best way to keep your skin looking young – whether it’s on your face or between your shoulder blades is to remember to protect it from the sun. Avoid sun exposure when you can and when you can’t, be sure to use sun block with an SPF of at least 30.

Milk Soap in Skincare

In natural skincare using ingredients that come straight from the source is highly desirable to those that purchase natural skincare products. Many ingredients in their natural state offer loads of benefits to the skin without being thinned out by the presence of artificial additives and other chemicals that may otherwise be harmful. If you’re looking for a natural soap item, you may want to give goat milk soap a try.

As the name implies, goat milk soap contains goat’s milk as its main ingredient. So why would milk from a farm animal be so good for the skin? To start with, goat milk alone is almost identical to a human mother’s breast milk. It is also filled with high levels of proteins and amino acids without the high fat content that tends to come from cow milk. People with allergies to regular cow milk tend to opt for goat milk as a healthy substitute. When consumed, goat milk helps with digestion and is ideal in maintaining the healthy function of the joints, stomach, colon and intestines. When goat milk is made into soap and applied to the skin, it has the ability to combat a number of skin conditions, including psoriasis, excessively dry skin, eczema, and in some cases, it can even treat acne. While using this type of soap is not meant to be a “cure” for these common skin problems, continued use of goat milk soap can effectively reduce the severity of these skin conditions and improve the appearance and health of the skin, making skin issues more manageable.

Goat milk soap has a similar pH balance as human skin so it is ideal for preventing chemicals and bacteria from upsetting the skin’s natural pH balance. As if goat milk soap doesn’t already have enough benefits, it also provides the skin with tons of alpha hydroxy acids to soften the skin and remove layers of dead skin cells. That means after using goat milk soap, you’ll be left with skin that feels truly rejuvenated and exfoliated without the need for chemical peels or other exfoliating processes that tend to cost a lot of money over a period of time.

The best thing about goat milk soap is that it is made from all natural ingredients, such as oils from coconuts, seeds, nuts and soybeans. For fragrance, essential oils from vanilla, lavender or rose are added to the mixture for an aromatic version of goat milk soap. Using goat milk soap won’t leave your skin dry or with any filmy residue like traditional, store-bought soaps. Because the process of creating all natural soap doesn’t involve a number of outside ingredients, your skin will be introduced to less harmful chemicals.

Goat milk soap is gentle enough for use on adults and children and can be found in any store that carries organic products as well as online.

How to Wear the Smokey Eye Look the Right Way

The smokey eye look continues to be one of the most popular types of eye makeup trends that can be found everywhere from the local mall to the red carpet. The great thing about this look is that virtually anyone can pull it off. However, the actual technique used and the end result is sometimes anything but glamorous due to common mistakes. One way to avoid making this look go up in smoke is to know a few basic dos and don’ts that you’ll be able to use at home so you’ll be picture perfect each time.

Perhaps one of the most useful tips for using the smokey eye is to practice, practice, practice! Don’t just spend a few minutes on application and think you’ve got the technique down pat. When applying darker shades and building the smokey look, it is extremely easy to go wrong and wind up with a mess. Go online or browse through your favorite magazines and get pictures of the perfect smokey eye look you want to try. Use the Internet to your advantage and browse through the numerous video tutorials that are available online. Follow the tutorial instructions step-by-step. If your end result looks nothing like the tutorial’s does, start over. Or if you have a friend whose smokey eye is always on point, have them show you the steps involved.

Beware of using too much eye liner and dark eye shadow. The last thing you want is to look like is a raccoon. If you’re having a hard time with the “less is more” concept, then opt for a smokey eye that uses lighter eye shadow. Believe it or not, you can still successfully pull off this look by using golden eye shadow and other shades of color - some people have even been able to flaunt a smokey eye using blue, purple or green eye shadow. Oftentimes choosing a lighter shade for this look is more flattering for some people’s skin tones. Smokey eye does not always have to mean black and gray.

One thing you’ll notice when browsing through pictures of celebrities that wear the smokey eye look correctly is that there is a gradual change from dark to light. Notice the word “gradual.” This means that when applying your eye shadow colors, there should be a subtle change from shade to shade. However, blending is the key to making this eye makeup trend work. There should be no definite lines that mark when the shadow goes from dark to light. Additionally, if you want to have the best of both worlds, the latest trends call for adding a touch of white eye liner to rim the bottom of your eyes. Because the smokey eye can overwhelm a gal’s peepers, this trick brings a nice balance. To further open up the eyes, make sure to curl your lashes and apply mascara that will curl your lashes up and away from your eyes.

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.