Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care Spring is in the air, and as we put away the bulky sweaters and boots, it is also time to evaluate our skin care products. For instance the moisturizer we have used all winter long may be too heavy for the spring and summer months. Furthermore, your winter moisturizer may not contain enough SPF protection for the spring and summer months.
Today more and more people are becoming aware of the benefits nature has to offer and are seeking environmentally friendly products in their homes and in their skin care regimen. Therefore, it is no surprise that skin care manufacturers are catering to this wave of eco-friendly consumers and labeling products natural and/or organic.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Makeup Properly applying blush as part of your makeup routine can add so much to enhance and accentuate your facial features. For instance, if you have a round face, blush can elongate your face. If you have sunken check bones or cheek bones that are not really prominent, blush can define your check bones and give dimension.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care Blackheads develop in almost all skin types but most commonly appear in those with oily skin types and normal to oily skin types. They usually appear in the T-zone of the face (forehead, nose and chin). A blackhead is a combination of dirt, debris, dead skin cells, and oil which embeds in the pore. The first inclination is to pinch it out; however doing so only bruises the surrounding area, especially if the blackhead is well embedded into the skin.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care The U.S. Food and Drug Administration do not define the term natural or organic. In fact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration department does not approve cosmetics before going to the market. The responsibility of the safety of the cosmetic lies with the manufacturer. Except for color additives and those ingredients which are prohibited or restricted by regulation, the manufacturer may use any ingredient in a cosmetic provided that they are safe and properly labeled and can coin numerous terms when marketing the cosmetic that may or may not be true.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care A good skin care program consists of cleansing, exfoliation, toning and moisturizing. However, what about all the other skin care products you use, such as: serums, sunscreen, primer, or even prescription products. Where do these fit in with your skin care routine?
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care Clay has the ability to absorb excess oils, dirt and harmful toxins from the skin. Clays can be used in facials, body powders, soaps, and as a natural colorant for soap, lotions, creams, bath salts and more. Cosmetic clays are made up of different mineral contents and each clay type has a different effect on the skin. The high mineral content of clay rejuvenates the skin while the clay exfoliates and stimulates blood circulation to the skin.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care Do you suffer from over productive sebaceous glands, also known as oily skin? Although oily skin will show less signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles versus dry skin, the downside to oily skin is a shiny appearance, large pores, pimples, blackheads or both. There are less expensive ways to treat acne. Homemade skin care recipes with common kitchen ingredients, herbs and essential oils offer many nutrients that are so beneficial to the skin.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care We all want a natural and glowing complexion. Nobody wants lines or wrinkles, or age spots or blemishes. This is evidenced by the amount of dollars spent every year on cosmetics and miracle creams and lotions. While the cosmetic industry would like you to believe that their product is the one that works and you can spend a lot of money finding one that truly benefits your particular skin type.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure in which the outermost surface of the skin is partially removed by light abrasion. This form type of cosmetic procedure is to remove or lessen the appearance of scars and dark spots on the skin, smooth away leathery sun-damaged skin, and stimulate the production of new and healthy skin cells.
Essential oils are the oils obtained from plants by various methods, such as distillation. They are called essential oils because it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. The use of essential oils has a history dating back at least a thousand years and has been used for medicinal uses, skin care and aromatherapy.
The cleaning supply business is a multi-billion dollar business. Society is convinced that they must use these toxic and environmentally destructive products for their home to be considered clean. However, are you aware of just how harmful common cleaning supplies are to your health, the health of your children and the environment? Many household cleaning supplies including laundry detergents, toothpaste and shampoo contain formaldehyde.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Beauty Epsom Salts are named for the mineral rich waters of Epsom, England, where they were known at least as far back as Shakespeare's day. When bathing, the magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salts) is absorbed through the skin and is an inexpensive and natural way to reduce stress, treat skin problems, and draw toxins from the body.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Pregnancy While most women are aware that they need to stay clear of harsh chemicals while pregnant, they overlook just how toxic their everyday cleaning supplies are to their health, their unborn baby and to say the least, so detrimental to the environment. A study in Britain in 2204 showed a link between exposure to household cleaners during pregnancy and asthma in children. Investigators found that those households that used the most chemical-based products during pregnancy were two times more likely to have children with asthma. These findings backed up a similar Australian study that was published in August of 2004.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Anti Aging Anti-aging means slowing, preventing or reversing the aging process and since recorded history, the human race as sought after the fountain of youth. In the 21 century we have discovered that at the cellular level, reversing aging is possible. Scientists believe that random damage which occurs within cells and among cellular molecules are responsible for many age-related changes we see in our bodies.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care Reading the ingredients on skin care products can be quite confusing. The labels use terms such as pentapeptides 3, Rentinyl, Palmitate and Ascorbyl Pamitate and to the average person these terms are bewildering. However, terms such as the ones listed above are clinical names of very common vitamins.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Asthma In 1998, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that asthma increased 75 per cent from 1980-1994 and in 2007, the EPA reported that an average of one out of every 13 school-age children suffers from asthma.* In fact, "asthma has become the most common serious disease of childhood, and there are at least several well-designed epidemiologic studies that have documented a strong link between use of domestic and industrial cleaning products and risk of asthma," says Dr. John Spengler, Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation, Department of Environmental Health at Harvard University.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care Most of the time the neck is uncared for as part of your skin care routine. The neck area and décolleté, as known as the V zone, has very thin skin and is prone to show signs of accelerated aging, similar to the skin around the eyes. Therefore, the neck and décolleté area need attention in order for the skin to stay supple and smooth.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care An occasional facial peel is a great way to loosen dead skin cells, which improve the texture of the skin while restoring elasticity. In addition, peels reduce pore size, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and helps with blotchiness and stimulate collage production.
Expert Author: Carol Belanger | Category: Skin Care Essential oils and herbs offer so many benefits in your skin care regime. Below are common essential oils and herbs commonly found in skin care products... Almond and Almond Oil - A great vegetable oil for dry skin. Commonly used as a carrier oil to blend with other essentials oils. Easily absorbed into the skin and is an excellent emollient with nourishing properties. Safety Precautions: People with nut allergies should avoid almonds and almond oil.
