7 Tips for Beautiful Skin

For most women, part of their morning and evening routines involve a skincare regimen of applying creams, moisturizers, tonics, lotions, and the like. Why do women put themselves through this? To combat the signs of aging, and to maintain youthful looks and beautiful skin! However, how many women consider what is in the products they are using?

Some women probably do not realize that what they are putting on their skin may actually be undermining what they are trying to prevent to begin with. In fact the average woman puts twelve products on her skin daily, most of which maintain harmful chemical preservatives. Dr. Myron Wentz, founder and chairperson of USANA Health Sciences has this to say about beauty in the June/July 2005 issue of the USANA Health Sciences magazine: Some say that beauty is only skin deep. Nonsense! I believe that true beauty is a reflection of true health, and true health begins deep inside each and every cell in the body. But true health and true beauty have an outer component, which is why we require protection from environmental insults such as solar radiation, pollutants in our environment and the drying effects of air. . . The fact is, you simply cannot contain a healthy body if your skin isn't healthy. And your skin can't be healthy if your are subjecting it to toxic substances that are ultimately absorbed into your body.

So, what can women do? How can they combat environmental pollutants, the affect of solar radiation, and the drying effects of air? How can they be sure they are using the very best products on their skin so they can be healthy inside and out? Here are 7 tips to assist in this process:

1. Be very aware of what is in skincare products. Use products that are all natural as much as possible.

2. Look for products that contain Dermal Surface Renewal Technology. DSR smoothes away existing signs of aging such as laugh lines, crows feet, and dullness.

3. Use products that have regenisomes. Regenisomes penetrate the skin to speed cell renewal after sun exposure. They also use the light of photosomes to undo sun damage, and have ultrasomes to renew skin while sleeping.

4. Find products with Proteo-C and Proflavonol-T. These two vitamins protect the skin from premature aging caused by the sun, pollution, and other environmental factors. They also provide advanced nutrition to the skin to keep it appearing smooth and firm.

5. If possible, use products that are paraben free. Parabens are synthetic chemical preservatives that are widely used in personal care products such as shampoos, conditioners, hair styling products, make-up, facial masks, skin lotions and creams, and deodorants. They also are typically found in baby lotions, shampoos, and other personal care products for infants and children. In addition, parabens are in many foods and pharmaceutical products. Researchers are beginning to find parabens in benign and malignant human breast tumors. While some studies have challenged their toxicity in many products and question their long term affect on humans, using products that are paraben free can eliminate the risk of exposure to this harmful chemical.

6. Drink plenty of water! Water hydrates skin and hair as well as flushes toxins out of the body.

7. Limit stress or learn to manage it effectively. Stress is harmful both emotionally and physically. Find that stress reliever activity that works best and use it on a daily basis!

Follow the above 7 tips to true beauty and health.

Monique Hawkins is an associate with USANA Health Sciences. One of her passions is supporting and encouraging others to maintain optimal health and wellness. She also has recently started an online store selling music boxes. Visit her USANA site http://www.whyusana.com/mhawkins and her music box site at http://www.my-music-box.com

Spa ? For Relaxation and Rejuvenation

It is really a task to find out the type of spa that wholly suits you. You must firstly determine what type of spa you would like to visit depending on your expectations. There are different types of spas available depending upon your needs such as relaxation, rejuvenation or conditioning etc.

There are four distinct spas that are available and they are the following:

1.Fitness: they are designed for people who want to stay fit and relax. Therefore activities such as aerobics and outdoor sports take place here. The people who are interested in sports etc, are bound to enjoy this program because they get a chance to take part in many new activities.

2.Wellness: the people who have an eventful medical history are treated here. The people, who conduct tests are licensed health care specialists. Different treatments are administered to the patients. The visitors here are usually persons who are recovering from operations or trying to quit smoking, alcohol, drugs etc.

3.Day spa: Visitors here are usually the beauty-conscious people. They come here to beautify themselves and also relax here.

4.Holistic: Most of the folks join this circle to learn more about spirituality. It is a center for self-realization. Different meditation techniques are taught here ranging from different cultures such as Chinese Tai Chi meditation, Indian Yoga etc.

Visiting a spa is good if you want to relax and rejuvenate.

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Vitamin A For Better Eczema Control

We?ve all seen the scaly itchy skin associated with eczema. Perhaps you?ve even had eczema at some point or suffer from it chronically. This condition, thought to be hereditary attacks about three out of every hundred people and can manifest itself as a rash with scaly, dry, itchy and/or red skin. Either way, you?ll want to do something to relive it fast!

You can get eczema medication from your doctor and if your symptoms are severe you should follow his instructions and use it as recommended. You might notice that some of this medication has Vitamin A in it. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that can help to alleviate symptoms of eczema and has many health benefits for your body including its ability to fight against heart disease and other cardiovascular problems as well as cancer and many other chronic diseases.

Most importantly for eczema sufferers is the vitamins ability to boost and develop the immune system. Dietary and supplemental sources of this vitamin seem to help your body produce antibodies and lymphocytes. These are essential to a healthy immune system. In a recent study, for example, diets lacking Vitamin A were compared to ones rich in vitamin A, beta-carotene, and lycopene and the Vitamin A rich diets has better results on the immune systems of mice.

Foods that are high in Vitamin A include many of your favorite fruits and vegetables! Look for veggies and fruits that are orange in color like carrots, cantaloupe, mango, aprictos and sweet potato to get the most bang for your buck. Other foods that are good sources of Vitamin A include broccoli, turnip greens, spinach and yellow squash.

Taking a Vitamin A supplement can be a good idea for control of eczema, but if you are also taking fish oil supplements, you may want to add more vitamin A to compensate. Vitamin A is fat soluble and the fish oils are, of course, fat so the presence of fish oils can deplete the amount of vitamin A your body gets.

Good supplements, however, will provide the right combination of Vitamin A and fish oils so you can take both in one pill, provided it is a quality vitamin. Fish oil also has added benefits which stem from the omega-3 fatty acids. Along with skin problems, omega-3 is thought to help with depression, dementia, heart disease, Alzheimer?s and many other conditions.

If you suffer from eczema, think about asking your doctor if adding Vitamin A to your regime might help. It?s easy to take and can help protect you from a host of other illnesses and disease as well.

Lee Dobbins writes for Acne Articles.com where you can learn more about acne, skin problems and caring for your skin.

Skin Care Advice At Any Age

We've become a society obsessed with our looks.

It's been noted that we spend more on beauty products in the west than we do on education.

Why are we so obsessed? Because it's easier and more affordable than ever before.Anti-aging skincare technology has progressed leaps and bounds. We know more about the skin today than we ever did. There are advanced skincare products that can erase years, and of course, the plastic surgeon has perfected his trade such that procedures are easier and cheaper than ever before.

Are we justified in our obsession?

They say that beauty is only skin deep, and while I believe this to be true it's also important to do what feels right for you. If keeping up appearances gets you through the day then, by all means, that's what you need to do, however I must add that I'm not a fan of going under the knife. With the huge advances made in skincare products today, I'd much prefer taking the less invasive route.

Here's a few age related tips and remedies that will help boost your skin's appearance at any age without needles and knives.

20 Something

Your skin is at its peak of beauty in your twenties, however nurture its beauty and always use at least an SPF 30 sunscreen. Of course this should continue at any age.

Avoid oily makeup and coverups. Use an oil free moisturizer every day. This is also a good time to begin using an eye cream under the eye area at night.

Try using products that contain green tea which have shown to help reduce the risk of skin cancer.

30 Something

Your 30's is when your skin is beginning to become a bit drier and sun damage may begin to appear. It's time to start using thicker moisturizing creams so as to lock in high contents of moisture. Continue with eye creams at night and use your sunscreen religiously. Also, skin bleaching products may need to be used to diminish dark spots from sun damage. Hint: Put your moisturizer on over damp skin. This helps lock in more moisture.

40 Something

It's time to kick it up another notch. Your forties is when your skin loses much of it tightness. It may begin to look dull and your pores may become larger. Blotches, freckles, age spots, discoloration, and changes in skin color may become much more visible. Retinoids, anti-oxidants and alpha hydroxy acids can improve the look of your skin and your 40's would be a good time to begin using them. Of course it's essential that you continue using a thick moisturizer and eye serums on a daily basis.

Home microdermabrasion kits are also an option that can result in a smoother more even appearing skin texture and tone while rejuvenating your skin's texture and color.

50 Something

Changes in your skin have reached high gear. Menopause has assisted in the loss of Estrogen which is what has given your skin its elasticity and kept it hydrated, however since those estrogen levels have diminished, you will begin seeing wrinkles form around your eyes, drooping eyelids and expression lines around the mouth and forehead.

Begin using anti-aging or wrinkle reducing formulas such as vitamin A (Retinol) or Glycolic acid products. Retin A has proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin texture, skin tone and color, as well as your skin's hydration levels.

Glycolic acid will trigger new formation of collagen to plump cells and reduce wrinkles on the skin?s surface. Postmenopausal women can also use a cream containing progesterone that may improve skin elasticity and firmness.

60 Something

By age 60 all types of collagen are significantly below their youthful levels. There are, however wonderful hydrating creams that contain Alpha Hydroxy acids (Glycolic acids), soy, green tea and retinol (vitamin A) which your skin will need now that it is drier and showing major signs of age. The alpha Hydroxy acids will help reduce droopy skin and the retinol will reduce your fine lines.

60 Plus

Your skin's texture will become visibly less smooth and you will most likely begin to see age spots. You'll appreciate the early care you've given to your skin because the signs of aging will be minimal, however, if you haven't started early you'll clearly notice the effects of neglect.

While it's never too late to take care of your skin the damage you already have will be difficult to reduce without special medical treatments such as botox or perhaps surgical procedures. All the above should continue to be applied but it is wise to consult your physician on advanced treatments.

If you haven't yet reached 60, the best skin care advice is to follow a good skin care regimen at an early age. It's an easy habit to get into and best of all, you'll thank yourself later on.

Elizabeth is an online skin care consultant who features and reviews fine beauty and serious skin care products. Sign up for her free tips, products and specials newsletter at: http://www.fine-skin-care-products.com

Tips to Choosing a Tanning or Sunscreen Agent

Remember the days of ordering a coffee at your favourite caf? -when your most difficult decision was to choose between an espresso, a cappuccino or a flat white? Today of course, your choices are much more diverse ? throw in Affogattos, Machhiatos, Viennas, Melloccinos, and Mochas (to name but a few). Of course, your choices don?t end there. Will that be with skim milk or whole? Decaf or regular? In a mug or a cup...?

Now of course that?s just a simple example using coffee. But how do you feel about your choices when it comes to selecting a tanning or sunscreen agent?

Not surprisingly, when faced with the variety and range of products on the market today, the average consumer can find this selection process a little more overwhelming than ordering a cup of coffee.

Tanning products or sunscreen agents are not only available in multiple forms including sprays, lotions, sticks, gels etc.: they can also be targeted to different activities, age ranges and skin types. They are produced by both smaller (less familiar) manufacturers, as well as by the more popular brand name manufacturers such as ?Banana Boat', 'ChapStick', 'Clarins', ?Clinique?, ?Coppertone?, ?Estee Lauder?, ?Johnson?s?, ?Neutrogena?, ?Oil of Olay?, and ?Vaseline?.

In response to the demands of consumers, manufacturers continue to provide an ever increasing number of products for you to choose from, with many targeted to specific markets. However, the variety of choices doesn?t mean it makes the selection process easy.

So where on earth do you start?

Besides your skin type, here are some simple tips to consider when making your selection from the variety of tanning and sunscreen products available:

a) Chosen Activity: ? Being outdoors is not the only element to take into consideration when factoring in your amount of exposure to the sun. You also need to note the intensity with regards to climate, the season, location and time of day.

For example, just because you may be hiking in a cool mountain region or snow skiing, doesn?t mean you should throw all caution aside. Wind and UV rays still reach you, so protection would be wise. Consider also any exposure to surfaces with reflective qualities (i.e. snow, water, sand, etc.), as these can intensify UV ray harm. Activities that make you work up a sweat or those involving water (e.g. basketball, jogging, sun bathing on a hot beach, biking, water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing, outdoor work and exercise etc.), have the potential to wash off your sunscreen, and therefore need to be addressed also.

Choose a sunscreen product for these activities with both UVA and UVB protection and an SPF of 15 or higher, when possible. As for water / sweat activities, choose a product that offers a waterproof or water-resistant agent.

Tip: Where appropriate, you should also consider dressing to cover up as much skin as possible (e.g. wearing long sleeves, a scarf or hat, slacks or jogging pants).

b) Age: ? There are only a few words of caution about age. First of all, health care providers do NOT recommend using alcohol-based sunscreen products on children. And they do NOT recommend using sunscreen agents of any type on babies under the age of 6 months. For children older than 6 months, a lotion is the preferred form of sunscreen, over a spray, for example. And the SPF should be a minimum of 15.

c) Use on Your Body: ? Your choice of tanning product also depends upon where you are going to apply the lotion, gel, spray or other form. And it also depends upon the health of the area of the body.

For example, there are lip balms with sunscreen (solid or gel-based ones), which not only help the lips, but can also touch up spots in a hurry. Also if you?re trying to apply protection to fingers, ears, nose and other small areas, a physical sunscreen agent, lotion or gel may be easier than a spray. If you have dry skin, you might want to try a product in lotion or cream form. For oily skin, gel-based or alcohol forms of sunscreen might be better choices. N.B: A word of caution: Do not use alcohol-based products with inflamed skin or eczematous.

Keeping the above considerations in mind, should give you a great starting point from which to choose your tanning product or sunscreen agent.

In addition, a recommendation from a friend for a particular product, (assuming they have similar skin type and circumstances), - or even a particular brand name (remembering that the more popular manufacturers produce products catering to different skin types, activities etc.), can sometimes also be helpful in narrowing down your choices.

Ultimately the choice should be based upon your individual situation, your skin type, and your personal preferences. What works for one person may not be the most ideal for another.

Once you've done some basic research and have found a particular product you feel is suitable, then why not just start with that product. If you find it doesn?t offer you the results you expected, then simply be prepared to do a little more research, look around further and modify your choices accordingly. While there may be some trial and error involved initially, by becoming more familiar with your preferences and the types of products available, you're sure to find the product that?s right for you.

Angela Perin is author of the comprehensive new guide Your Personal Guide to Tanning - covering everything from your skin, uv light & sun-tanning, to sunburn, skin cancer, sunburn, sun protection and sunless tanning. Discover Safe Tan - The Ultimate Experience in Natural Sunless Tanning and download your free copy of this guide including bonus homemade recipes for sunburn relief, sunscreen and exfoliation!