Pretty Skin 4 Less asked:
#1 Keep it clean.
Men have approximately 15% oilier skin and significantly larger pores than women do. Basically, this means you get dirtier. It is very important; no matter what skin type you have, to clean your face every day. Deep cleansing is important. It keeps pores clear, skin healthy and you looking good.
Cleansing products should be as chemical-free as possible. Deodorant soaps shouldn’t be used on your face. They cleanse with harsh ingredients and leave a detergent film behind. This may irritate your skin and will clog your pores. Go natural.
A good scrub is essential for healthy skin. It will remove dead cells and smooth the surface of your face. The scrub should be strong without being damaging. Stay away from scrubs that contain rough elements like ground bits of nut or seed extracts. They will tear and damage the skin. A good scrub will invigorate you, not hurt you.
Moisturizing is a necessity. Again, the product with the least amount of chemical additives is the best. Always use a light moisturizer on your face after cleansing and shaving and don’t forget your neck!
For an intensive moisture treatment use pure vitamin E, or aloe vera oil. It is available in liquid form, or just break open a capsule and apply the oil directly to the skin. This is a great under eye treatment. Remember it is very important to moisturize this sensitive area of the face. It is one of the first places to show age because the under eye skin secretes no necessary oils on its own.
#2 Keep it toned.
Because men are outside more than women are, environmental debris and pollutants are more a factor to their skin’s health. Toning helps keep the skin clear and firm.
As skin ages, it needs to work harder to maintain its elasticity. Astringents and toners with glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids work the best for toning the face. These acids actually can reduce the pore size, and help avoid ingrown hairs. They are aggressive and have quick results. Remember to look for a product that is not photosensitive (sensitive to light).
#3 Treat your skin.
Depending on your skin type (oily, dry or combination) and the time of year, there are different products that treat and enhance your skin. Different treatments will have very different results. It is important to know your skin’s needs.
All types of skin need to be exfoliated. This is the removal of dead skin cells that form daily. This is an essential part of skin treatment.
After shaving, you need to moisturize with a product that has absolutely no alcohol in it. Avoid heavy fragrant after-shave products too, as they can irritate the skin.
Skin that is too shiny doesn’t look healthy, just greasy. Blot the excess oils away. Blotting papers or a light powder that will give you a more natural finish are both good options to try.
Don’t forget about your lips. Find a balm that has an SPF of at least 15 in it. Peppermint oil has a nice feel and keeps the lips looking luscious.
#4 Protect your skin.
Healthy skin is young looking skin. There are preventative techniques that can promote the best skin possible and keep it looking its best longer. Remember that your skin is a mirror of your overall body health.
Here are the key techniques:
Avoid over exposure to the sun.
Sun damage leads to hyperpigmentation (brown spots) which can develop into serious skin disease. Excessive exposure can also exaggerate and thicken fine lines. Use an SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skin, especially on your face.
Stay in shape.
Exercise promotes capillary functioning which can decrease premature aging. It also increases oxygen to the tissues which keeps skin looking young.
Eat right.
Keep vitamins such as C and E in your diet regimen.
Everything in moderation.
Too much of anything is never a good idea. Stay away from excessive alcohol, smoking, fatigue and stress. Not only can these factors lead to premature aging; they also decrease facial circulation making you look older.
Michele Probst. “Skin Care Tips for Men.” BestStuff.com. 22 Sep. 2009 [http://www.beststuff.com/family/skin-care-tips.html].
Yvonne Gibson asked:
There are thousands of skin treatment websites out there that have the “perfect” skin care products to control your skin condition. But is that really what you’re seeking? A product that can control the problems you have with your skin or a skin care solution that will rid you completely of the problem at hand. I would opt for a total solution over a temporary fix any day! And I’m sure you would too.
The skin care industry is a billion dollar business. There are skin products for this and skin products for that. Some skin care products are worthless, let’s just be frank. And there are others that provide minimal results, while some really work to provide a visual change. But even the best skin care products are still a temporary fix. One must continue to purchase skin care products every month to maintain the results. This results in alot of money being spent, thus creating a continual financial obligation to maintain healthy, clear skin.
So now in order to achieve the results of clear skin, one must continually purchase over-the-counter products. Is the problem fixed? No. It’s simply treated with a temporary fix. Has the root cause been addressed? No. I say this because skin conditions are a result of an internal problem. I will say it again. Skin problems are an internal problem. No external remedy can permanently solve an internal problem.
So how does one solve an internal problem? With an internal solution. Many might call it “homemade skin care”, “natural skin care”, or skin care by way of “alternative medicine”. This is the answer for an internal condition, yet most people are convinced that an external product will fix anything. But it won’t. In fact, it can’t.
Homemade skin care is the best decision you’ll ever make for the skin condition that you’re dealing with. Why? Because going the route of addressing your skin problems through a homemade skin care remedy will deal with the root cause. It will deal with the root issues that are causing the skin to breakout. Some of these causes are:
Body Toxicity (from metals, environmental pollutants, food toxins, etc.) Blood Contamination (Blood needs to be cleansed) Colon Dysfunction (Colon needs cleansing) Hormonal Imbalance General Need for Internal Cleansing (parasite infection, dirty liver, etc.)
Once these internal issues are brought back to normal function, it’s amazing how quickly the skin reflects the changes. Blemishes begin to clear up. Rashes fade and the itching stops. Pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and even scarring fade away. How? Through alternative medicine–specifically natural herbs.
The right homemade skin care recipe will clear up ANY skin condition. This includes: acne, cystic acne, eczema, psoriasis, various forms of dermatitis & more. Remember, the key is addressing the root issue, which are internal problems you have going on. You cannot fix an internal condition with an external patch. So get educated and informed about Homemade skin care. It beats every over-the-counter product hands down! It’s the answer you’ve been waiting for–the answer for clear skin.
Corbin Newlyn asked:
So, you have tried every type of over the counter skin care system that is on the market – now what do you do now? If you believe that professional skin care might be the answer you are searching for, then you will need to know all that you can about serious skin care procedures that might be help your skins appearance. Nevertheless, it is crucial to bear in mind that these types of procedures do not typically work overnight, so you will need to know what to expect prior to you going through any type of skin care procedure.
Before Treatment
In order to get prepare your skin for any type of serious skin care procedure such as laser acne treatment, you will need to make certain that your skin is as healthy as possible as well as moisturized. To accomplish this, it is best if you drink plenty of water and also eat health.
This will help your skin to replenish itself in a natural manner all will help you to not experience as much redness or swelling once the treatment is completed. Making sure that you wash your face twice day, as well as hydrating and toning, will also help to better prepare you for professional skin care.
Prior to going to a dermatologist, make certain that you read up on the acne treatment or skin care that you are looking to get. If you are searching for laser acne treatments, or believe that a specific medication will be the best skin care technique for you grounded on your skin type, talk to your dermatologist to be certain that you skin does not suffer any additional dryness or irritation once your skin care treatment is finished. You should also inquire about skin care cream and herbal skin care that you can use immediately after you have gone through professional skin care, so after you leave your doctor’s office you can maintain your appearance.
After Treatment
Even after you have completed your professional skin care, you might even wish to select a skin care system that will assist you in keeping your skin healthy. An option would be to try Proactiv acne treatment as a skin care system to use so that you can reduce breakouts and help your skin’s cell recycling process. You might even wish to try using Proactiv prior to getting any professional skin care, because the skin care cream that is used in this type of system is professional grade.
Altering your diet, lowering your stress levels, doing tests for food allergies, exercising, getting rest, consuming plenty of water are also excellent ways to improve upon the appearance of your skin. Be sure to make these suggestions a integral part of your lifestyle for both before and after your professional skin care treatment.
Nicholas Tan asked:
Talking about skin care, ‘facial skin care’ seems to top the chart. There are loads of facial skin care products available in the market. The most common facial skin care products are the ones that are used as part of daily routine. These include things like cleansers and moisturizers. Toners and exfoliation ones are well known too but not many people use them as such.
The general classification of facial skin care products is based on the following:
* Gender (so there are facial skin care products for men and there are facial skin care products for women)
* Skin type (facial skin products for oily skin, facial skin care products for dry skin, facial skin care products for normal skin and facial skin care products for sensitive skin)
* Age (facial skin care products for old and facial skin care products for young)
* Skin disorder (i.e. facial skin care products for treatment of various skin orders like eczema, acne etc)
So that is your starting point for choosing a facial skin care product that suits you. A good way to start is by determining your skin type first. Also note that the skin type changes with age, so the facial skin product that suits you today, might not suit you forever and hence you need to constantly evaluate the effectiveness of your facial skin care product.
The facial skin care products are available in various forms i.e. creams, lotions, gels, masks etc, and a lot of people try to pit one against the other in their discussion on which form is best. However, one can’t really rate one form as better than another form. What suits you (and whatever you are comfortable with) is the best form of facial skin care product for you, really.
However, it’s important to note that these products work differently for different people. So the best thing is to try the facial skin care product on a small patch of skin (e.g. ear lobes) before actually going ahead and using it.
Another important consideration is the state of your skin. If you are suffering from a skin disorder of any kind, it is best to seek the advice of a dermatologist before you actually make your selection and start using a facial skin care product.
Once you have selected the facial skin care product for yourself, you also need to ensure that you use the facial skin care product in the right way i.e. follow correct procedures for application, use the correct quantity and make the facial product a part of your skin care routine.
Nubian Cruck asked:
There are some different skin types and they require several African American Skin Care Products. It is important to know what kinds of products are out there today and how are they used.
Black skin has ready made sun protection factor (SPF) which is about four to five times stronger than the typical SPF for white skin. This reduces the aging effect of the sun. This means when it comes to black skin care product or an African American skin care product, you may be less likely to look for anti-aging products as early as a person possessing lighter skin.
It’s also a good idea to explore the African American Skin Care Products for general skin care early on. While the aging process is delayed, good early skin care is always a bonus. Well nourished skin is more resistant to the ravages of age. African American Skin Care Products are specially formulated to address its specific texture and needs.
African American Skin Care Products are Effective and have powerful natural ingredients that supply your skin with antioxidants and vitamins. Their ingredients are tested showing scientific results in moisturizing skin and reversing aging signs. Good African American Skin Care Products do not have chemical ingredients like alcohol, mineral oils etc. These ingredients are known to deplete skin texture in prolonged use. African American Skin Care Products treat skin conditions such as acne, dry skin, skin inflammation and sensitive skin. They improve skin texture and also look into your skin condition and treat it.
One of the new developments in African American Skin Care Products is skin lightening. This is because a lightened skin tone can completely change a person’s appearance and some believe enhancing beauty of their facial features even more.
One should opt for those African American Skin Care Products that either lighten your skin through effective natural ingredients or maintains your complexion. Often the problem with skin lightening products is that they can irritate skin and also sometimes cause inflammation. You can avoid such problems by choosing a product with a high percentage of extra pone nut grass, which is a specific component.
African American Skin Care Products bring out an enhanced look to your skin, while at the same time rejuvenating skin texture and making skin young looking.
If you regularly use such products you can see the real kind of black skin care results that you want – lightened skin tone as well as soft, shiny complexion, reversal of aging sins and nourished skin texture. For more assistance visit: – www.nubianblue.com.
Pretty Skin 4 Less asked:
The first thing we notice about any human being is their face. Maintaining clean, healthy skin is absolutely essential for self-esteem, confidence and a good attitude about life. Having healthy skin doesn’t mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars on skin care products and make-up. It’s about having a healthy lifestyle and upholding disciplined cleansing habits that will make flawless skin possible.
Healthy Diet. By avoiding greasy, fatty foods that will make your face break out, your skin will be less oily and more resistant to blemishes. Some foods that cause your skin to break our include pizza, French fries, chocolate and most other types of candy, fast food and soft drinks. You don’t have to give up these special treats completely, just eat them in moderation.
Hydration and Exercise. Drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day – along with regular exercise like walking, jogging, bicycling or getting involved in sports – will make a tremendous impact on the way your skin looks and feels. Exercise will increase blood flow, making your dull skin glow like new. It will also make your feel more energized and generally happier. Keeping your body in shape allows for less stress and a feeling of achievement.
Sun Exposure. Protect yourself from sun damage, skin cancer and premature wrinkles by using a moderate strength sunscreen. Too much sun can blister your lips, leaving them red and sore. Sunburned skin can peel, leaving your skin patchy and sensitive. Monitor how much time you spend in the sun and use good judgment when deciding if you’ve had enough for the day.
Regular Cleaning Routine. Cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturize – this daily routine should carry you on your way toward healthier skin in no time. Choose a gentle cleansing solution that works for your specific type of skin, whether it’s dry, oily or normal. Using your selected product, cleanse your face in a gentle circular motion and rinse with lukewarm water, as hot water drains the skin’s moisture.
The next step is to exfoliate. A granular exfoliant product is often especially effective in smoothly rough areas and rubbing away dead skin cells, allowing the face to be better moisturized.
After exfoliating, use a toner or astringent to tighten skin and remove any make-up or cleanser residue. An alternative to toner or astringent would be a facial masque at least once a week, which tackles clogged pores while also firming skin and leaving it soft and silky.
The final step is to apply a moisturizer that will protect against dry skin. People with oily skin don’t have to moisturize as often as those who have dry, normal or combination skin.
You could spend hundreds of dollars on skin care products and only achieve clear, healthy skin for a short period of time. A daily skin care routine, along with a healthy diet, drinking lots of water, exercising and protecting your skin from sun damage, will help you achieve healthy skin for a lifetime.
Nicholas Tan asked:
‘Man skin care’ would seem like an alien topic to some men. It would have been even more alien a few years back. However, more and more men are now realising the importance of man skin care (and hence you see markets flush with man skin care products too). Even though the male skin is very different from that of a female, ‘man skin care’ is very similar to the skin care for women.
‘Man skin care’ too starts with cleansing. Water soluble cleansers are preferred. Cleansing helps remove the dirt, grease and pollutants from the skin and helps in preventing pore clogging. The inherent oily nature of male skin makes cleansing an important part of man skin care procedure. Cleansing should be done at least once every day, even better if it is done twice a day. Using soap on the face is discouraged.
‘Man skin care’ revolves a lot around shaving. Shaving foam/gel/cream and after shave lotion are one of the most important man skin care products. Serious ‘man skin care’ requires a proper selection of shaving related equipment and products. One of the main considerations in choosing shaving products should be the skin type (since the degree of oiliness differs from person to person). Alcohol-based aftershaves should be avoided. Proper ‘man skin care’ also mandates the use of good quality razors. Here, swivel-head razors are preferred since they are known to reduce cuts. Besides these products and equipment, it is also necessary that you use them properly. Be gentle when using your razor. Do not scratch it against your skin; use a soft and smooth action (after all it’s a matter of removing hair, not the skin itself).
Male skin is generally thicker and oilier, owing to larger pores and more active sebaceous glands. However, due to regular shaving, the skin can get dehydrated quite easily. Hence moisturisers too form an integral part of man skin care. Moisturising gel or cream should be applied after shaving. In fact, some shaving foams/ gel have an in-built moisturising effect too. Moisturisers should be patted gently over the face and massaged gently using upward strokes.
Though a man’s skin is less susceptible to skin cancer caused by UV radiation, using a sunscreen is also an important man skin care measure. You can use a moisturiser that combines sunscreen with the moisturising effect.
Another good option for ‘man skin care’ is to use man skin care products which have natural ingredients like aloe vera, sea salt and coconut etc. Naturally antiseptic oils e.g. lavender, tea tree etc also provide good means for man skin care.
Man skin care is not as difficult as a lot of men think. It just asks for a few minutes every day, in order to give you a healthy skin for present and for future.
Pretty Skin 4 Less asked:
When Dermalogica meets skin, skin health is redefined. Dermalogica is the number one choice of skin care professionals and consumers worldwide. Why? Because for over 25 years, we’ve been dedicated to delivering skin health results through education, innovation, and professional recommendation, not through advertising, frilly packaging, promises of miracle cures, or overblown hype.
1. Special Cleansing Gel was the first liquid non-soap, fragrance free product of its kind. Thanks to Quillaja Saponaria Extract, this product foams better than any traditional soap around, gently removing oils and impurities without stripping skin.
What the press has to say: Good Housekeeping says it’s a “secret for getting gorgeous skin.”
Added bonus: Use it to remove your make-up!
2. Multi-Active Toner broke the bottle-and-cotton-ball mold as the first toner that could be spritzed directly onto skin. The alcohol-free formula offers hydration while prepping skin for optimal reception from moisturizers.
What the press has to say: Shape says even finicky skin conditions will fall for this spritz.
Added bonus: Get it in a travel-friendly size to combat in-flight dehydration!
3. Active Moist: A little goes a long way! This oil-free moisturizer hydrates without the greasy after-feel. Make this no-nonsense skin smoother your year-round moisturizer of choice.
What the press has to say: C magazine says it’s a “lightweight, oil-free lotion” for dermal delight.
Added bonus: Goes on smooth, absorbs quickly, and Silk Amino Acids improve skin texture!
4. Total Eye Care — first, it smoothes and retexturizes. Second, it helps reduce puffiness as optical light diffusers help minimize dark circles. Third, it contains a chemical-free physical sunscreen to fight off UV damage. When we say multi-task, we mean it!
What the press has to say: O, the Oprah magazine says it’s essential.
Added bonus: Delivers benefits of alpha hydroxy acids around the eye without the irritation.
5. Solar Defense Booster SPF30 is the product so amazing, another company sent us a letter of congratulations when it hit the market! Turn your favorite moisturizer or foundation into a UV fighter with this SPF product that helps combat premature aging.
What the press has to say: W magazine says it “morphs any makeup or moisturizer into a weapon against sun damage.”
Added bonus: Use directly on skin for maximum SPF30 protection.
6. UltraCalming Cleanser is the waterless breakthrough for sensitive skin caused by stress, pollution, hormonal imbalance or irritating cosmetics. Can be rinsed off or tissued off, making it ideal for skin intolerant to water.
What the press has to say: In Style names it one of their best beauty buys.
Added bonus: Tissue off formula is great for travel or when on the go!
7. Daily Microfoliant®: One use will make you say “wow!” as this rice-based powder exfoliant transforms into a skin-smoothing and brightening emulsion – and transforms all who use it!
What the press has to say: Shape magazine says it’s a must-have; Glamour says it delivers the glow you deserve.
Added bonus: Gentle enough to use daily – meaning irritation will never stop you from exfoliating.
8. Power Rich™ contains a potent peptide proven to improve skin’s appearance in texture, firmness and tone. In just 4 weeks, you’ll see a difference – but don’t be surprised if you see the difference overnight!
What the press has to say: New Beauty loves our peptides, “key in maintaining a firm, even complexion.”
Added bonus: Unique formulation delivers better results than products just now coming on the market.
9. Skin Hydrating Booster is the dehydration-busting fluid that’s almost 100% Hyaluronic Acid – an ingredient in the body that helps keep skin smooth and elastic. This means increased hydration and minimized fine lines.
What the press has to say: Vogue recommends it to help skin hold tight to essential moisture.
Added bonus: Use as a spot treatment, all-over, or mix with your moisturizer to revitalize parched skin.
10. Daily Resurfacer is the power exfoliant that self-neutralizes on skin, meaning no rinsing, no timing, no over-exfoliated, irritated skin! Each precise dose resurfaces, smoothes and brightens to hydrate, even skin tone and improve clarity.
What the press has to say: O, the Oprah magazine says “the solution absorbs quickly, making it easy to add to your skin care routine.”
Added bonus: Contains Rooibos Extract, an antioxidant 50 times more powerful than Green Tea polyphenols.
Dermalogica. “The moment your skin changed. Forever.” Your Skin. 11 Sep. 2009 [http://www.dermalogica.com/].
Nicholas Tan asked:
Skin care is not a topic of recent times; it has been in practice since ancient times, when herbal skin care was probably the only way to take care of skin. However, skin care has transformed in a big way. Herbal skin care routines have been replaced by synthetic/chemical-based skin care routines. The herbal skin care recipes which once used to be common place are not so popular today (and even unknown to a large population). This transformation from herbal skin care to synthetic, can probably be attributed to two things – our laziness (or just the fast pace of lives) and the commercialisation of skin care. Even herbal skin care products have been commercialised. These commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home. However, it seems that things are changing fast and more people are now opting for natural and herbal skin care routines. But still, none want to make them at home and hence the commercial market of herbal skin care products is on the rise.
So what are these herbs or herbal skin care mechanisms?
Aloe vera, which is an extract from Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product. Freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns.
A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties. Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers. Their herbal skin care properties get invoked when they are combined with other herbs like tea.
Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care. Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. Lavender water and rose water also form good toners.
Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care. Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.
Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care. Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care. Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix)
Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapies also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies.
Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psorasis. Most herbal skin care products don’t have any side effects (the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products) Moreover, herbal skin care products can be easily made at home, hence making them even more attractive. So, herbal skin care is the way to go. However, this does not mean that you totally discard the synthetic products. Some people go to the extent of debating with their dermatologist, if he/she suggests a synthetic product. You should accept the fact that some skin orders might need usage of clinically proven non-herbal skin care products.
Nicholas Tan asked:
There is no dearth of skin care creams and lotions in the market. Name an ailment, and you will find hundreds of skin care creams, lotions and other products for it. As a result of ongoing research and due to ever increasing demand, the number of skin care products seems to be on the increase. Skin care lotions and skin care creams are the most popular forms in which these products are available, and there always seems to be a debate on which form is better?
Well, there is no definitive answer to this. It seems more like a matter of personal choice. However, greasy creams are surely less popular as compared to the non-greasy (or less greasy) ones. Since the application of skin care creams is easier, they seem to be preferred (over lotions) in cases where the skin care product is not to be removed immediately after application. So, skin care creams seem more popular as moisturisers than as cleansers or toners. For toners, lotions seem to be preferred over skin care creams. There are some skin care creams that acts as toners too, but generally the toners are available in liquid form only. For cleansing, lotions and skin care creams are equally popular; however, the tilt seems more towards lotions.
Creams are known to be most effective in keeping skin moist; hence, the most popular form of skin care creams is moisturisers. Due to the same reason, a lot of people tend to associate skin care creams with dry and sensitive skin. Though it is true to a certain extent, skin care creams are not used only for dry skin, they are also used for making products for oily skin e.g. vitamin A creams and sulphur creams that help reduce the rate of sebum production.
Skin care creams are also used for products that cater to skin disorders especially for disorders that require the application of product over a small localised area. This is again due to the fact that skin care creams are easier to apply (without wastage) on the affected area. However, in cases where skin needs to be washed using a medicine/product, lotion is a better choice. Mostly, the manufacturers too realize this fact, making it easier for you to choose between a lotion and a skin care cream
Eye-creams and anti-ageing creams are other examples where skin care cream is preferred over its lotion counterpart.
Whatever your choice be (cream or lotion), knowing how to use it effectively, is more important than anything else.
