Six Biggest Skin-Care Mistakes !

A Friend forwarded me this for putting it here on site, Awesome tips for healthy skin. Try them, they are neat.

1. Using a cleanser with harsh detergents:

Many people assume that the suds of their vigorously foaming cleanser are a good sign -- surely they'll leave skin extra clean. Unfortunately, copious suds are generally a sign that your cleanser contains a harsh detergent, like lauryl sulfate, that strips skin of vital lipids. (And don't get me started on bar soap -- that is always a no-no.) Instead, look for cleansers that contain fatty acids and will actually fortify your skin, like Dove's ProAge products, or even simple cold cream. If you have particularly dry skin, I recommend cleansing oils, which remove dirt and makeup without disturbing your skin's natural protective barrier.


2. Not using a retinoid:

Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is the only topical ingredient proven not only to prevent lines and wrinkles but to minimize the ones you already have. Past the age of 30, I recommend seeing a dermatologist for a higher-concentration prescription retinoid (like Retin-A, Differin, or Tazorac, for example), but there are also many great over-the-counter creams that contain lower concentrations of retinol. I like Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Night Cream, and SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0.


3. Spending too much on skin care:

Splurging on the beautiful packaging and luxurious scents of pricey boutique skin care lines can feel wonderfully pampering -- provided you know that it's absolutely not necessary for great skin. In fact, many of my favorite products are made by drugstore brands, because those companies have the large budgets for top-notch research and development. If you have to choose, put your money toward that prescription retinoid, and buy the rest of your regimen at the drugstore.


4. Getting facials:

Yes, that's right -- you can strike facials from your skin-care budget and actually be doing your skin a favor! Studies show that as many as 80% of people break out after a facial. Aestheticians often don't know which products are right for the skin of each client, and may use ingredients that can worsen acne, or essential oils that tend to irritate sensitive skin. Even if you don't break out, there are really no long-term benefits to facials.



5. Washing your face at the wrong time:

Always wash your face after you rinse out your hair products and conditioner in the shower, never before. Many conditioners contain pore-clogging isopropyl myristate and other hair products often contain coconut oil -- both are common acne-causing ingredients that you don't want to leave on your skin.



6. Not using sunscreen every day:

Not just for your trip to the beach. Not just during the long summer days. Every day. Yes, it's important to be even more vigilant if you plan to spend lots of time in direct sunlight. But incidental sun exposure typically accounts for more of our lifetime exposure to ultraviolet rays than those days at the beach. Walking to and from your car, dashing out of the office for a sandwich, or sitting outside for a few minutes adds up -- make sure you're covered with at least SPF 15, every day. Drink daily 8 Glass water.

Ayurveda Cosmetology - (Skin Care) Part III

Skin Care During Pregnancy

Well known to all is the fact that a pregnant woman consumes whatever affects the formation, development of the fetus and the health of the newborn finally. This fact makes it necessary for a would be mother to consume healthy food and have proper Ahaar vihar i.e. suitable diet and life style. The formation and development of the fetus is felt and known during the time of pregnancy and hence the care of other's food and behavior is important from day one of her pregnancy a sonly she can bestow good health to the child. In ayurveda a lot of medicinal preparations are given to pregnant woman to make the skin of the newborn baby glow, improve on complexion and body healthy.

Following are tips for pregnant women stated in ayurveda:

• Pregnant women must drink a lot of milk and coconut water.
  
• Ghee extracted from cow milk taken regularly is good for pregnant women.
  
• The coconut water or milk consumed is beneficial if taken with mixed sugar, turmeric and saffron.
  
• White flesh of coconut is healthy for the mother and the fetus.
  
• For pregnant women gruel of rice with milk, ghee and sugar is good and nutritious.

Fascinating Facts

Ayurveda reveals a lot of interesting and fascinating facts that enhance our knowledge about the living body, its components and day to day naturopathy ways that help cure and prevent ailments.

Following are few such facts:

• Skin is the largest organ in the body serving many functions essential to life.
  
• Skin is considered to be an important expression of beauty.
  
• Skin and its appendages, hair and nails together, make or mar the natural, physical beauty of a person.
  
• Skin is considered as a major sex organ as its feel is sensually vital.
  
• Skin protects the body and maintains body fluids and chemicals.
  
• The regulation of body temperature by controlling the inflow and outflow of heat is also the function of ayurveda.
  
• Skin also acts as an excretory organ that eliminates in form of sweat a major portion of calories provided to the body by the digestive system that is utilized in physical work.
  
• Skin determines whether a person is thin or stout or even overweight.
  
• Skin acts as a deterrent against toxins, germs and other hazards. This is the main reason why 'burn' patients with extensive skin damage suffer from several infections and loss of body fluids

Below the Surface

The skin is described according to modern science as a combination of two layers. The outer tough and hard layer called the epidermis and the inner thin or dermis layer. Epidermis consists of flat cells fitted like plates dermis is separated from epidermis with the basal membrane. Like nails, skin can also regenerate itself if damaged by accident or bruise or some infection.

Apart from the layers, the human skin is made of cells. The youngest cells are called basal cells and the skin cells are continuously pushed towards the new basal cells on formation. The basal cells undergo changes until they become squamous cells (a type of connective cell), which migrate to the surface of the skin as older cells are shed. The dermis and epidermis have special cells called melanocytes that lie between them. These cells produce melanin through a complicated process and are responsible for skin coloration.

The pigment is taken up by the epidermal cells to give the skin, its characteristic color. Decrease of melanin leads to gray hair and a total loss of melanin produces white hair. The melanin pigment is usually lost from both skin and hair in most people by the time of old age.

The outermost layer of the cell is made up of dead cells and it takes about 26 days for new basal cells to mature and get pushed to the surface, thus most of the epidermis is replaced in about 26 days.

Change in Our Skin

Ayurveda describes the aging process in reference to age i.e. with increase in age there is an effect on the skin as it changes at every stage of life and subsequently changes the appearance of the individual.

Childhood to adolescence and youth

At different stages of life the skin undergoes changes as its characteristics change with time. According to ayurveda a child's skin changes at puberty. The hormones present in the body are very much responsible for the texture of the skin and appearance. Sex hormones like Estrogen leads to a soft and smooth texture, however the skin becomes thicker than before and also more vascular. Also due to sex hormones the production of sebum increases from the skin's oil glands and this leads to acne.

Youth to old age

Besides aging sun rays also damage the skin, takes away texture and glow of the skin. With aging the dermis becomes thin while the epidermis becomes a little thinner. The loss of dermal thickness makes the skin of the elderly people paper-thin and the blood vessels beneath it become prominent.

It is noteworthy that aging and sun rays cannot be stopped form occurring and hence every person has to face it in life. In females the deficiency of estrogen during menopause makes the skin loose its smoothness and soft appearance. During youth the process of rejuvenation takes less time whereas with increase in age this process timing becomes longer and longer. As old age approaches the old cells tend to clump and the skin becomes rough and scaly in appearance.

The effects of ultraviolet rays

As said earlier sun rays cause damage to the skin and this is a causative factor, which is known but nothing can be done about it. Similarly ultra violet rays also harm the skin and in more severe manner than the other rays.

Ultra violet rays penetrate through the skin deeply, affect the dermis and damages blood vessels in the skin leading to prominently broken capillaries in the skin This way the dermis that determines whether skin is wrinkled or not is unable to do so and these changes in the elastic fibers and connective tissues in the dermis give an "aged" look to the living body.

Ayurveda Cosmetology

Herbs in Cosmetics

Dated ages back, in the famous fairy tale of the snow white and Seven Dwarfs, the wish of the wicked step-mother to be the most beautiful woman on earth, even today strikes the chord that being beautiful irrespective of age, sex and color is not a thing desired just today.

As ayurveda the concept of beauty has an age-old origin. Whether in fairy tales it was the wicked mother or the fairy that beautified Cinderella on the ball night, creating beauty by magic potions or herbs proves that beauty, its concepts and cosmetics go hand in hand. Especially for females, the desire to look beautiful, charming and young by different beauty ways, using various herbs are things known by the world since centuries.

Ancient scriptures like Abhijnana Shakuntalam and Meghadootam of Kalidasa and many mythological epics encompass the reference of cosmetics like: Tilak, Kajal, Alita and Agaru (Aquilaria agalbeha) that were used as body decorative and to create beauty spots on the chin and cheeks in the era ruled by gods and their deities.

In fact, the concept of beauty and cosmetics is as old as mankind and civilization. The famous depictions in the Ajanta and Ellora caves, Khajurao prove that not only women but men also adorned themselves with jewelry, scents and cosmetics. Enscripted in history is the Aryan period that witnessed the use of turmeric- haridra, (curcuma long, linn), saffron, alkanet, agaru, chlorophyll green from nettle plants and indigo for bodily-decorations apart from using Raktachandan (Pterocarpus Santalinus Linn), Chandan (Santalum Album) for beautification. Using Mehendi (henna) for dying hair in different colors and conditioning was aslo practiced in the olden times.

Medicinal Herbs as cosmetics

The medicinal herb mentioned in ayurveda by experienced sages basically state that the function of ayurvedic herbs is to purify blood and eliminate vitiated doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) from the body as they are mainly responsible for skin disorders and other diseases.

Among the written information on ayurveda also, like in Charakh Samhita, the sage Charakh stated numerous medicinal plants in Varnya Kashaya. The herbs mentioned can be used to obtain glowing complexion. Various herbs for which description and usage can be found in ayurvedic inscriptions are mentioned below:

• Chandana
  
• Nagkeshara
  
• Padmak
  
• Khus
  
• Yashtimadhu
  
• Manjistha
  
• Sariva
  
• Payasya
  
• Seta (shweta durva)
  
• Lata (shyama durva)

There is also the mention of various herbs from Kushthagna Mahakashaya that are effective curatives for skin disorders. Few such herbs are:

• Khadira
  
• Abhaya
  
• Amalaki
  
• Haridra
  
• Bhallataka
  
• Saptaparna
  
• Aragvadha
  
• Karavira
  
• Vidanga
  
• Jati

Like the notifications of charakh and other sages, Sushrut said that Eladi Gana contains:

Ela, tagar, kusstha, jatamansi, tvak, dhmamaka, patra, nagkeshar, priyangu, harenuka, vyaghranakha, shukti, stouneyaka, choraka, shriveshta, khus, goggol, sarjarasa, turushka, kundaru, agaru, ushira, devdaru, keshara, and padmakeshara. All these herbs can eliminate toxins from the body, clear the complexion that leads to a glow on the skin and alleviates puritus, kusstha and boils.

Common herbs used as cosmetics

According to ayurveda there are certain herbs that have their mention in the old ages also, such as:

Indigo
Being blue in color it was used as a bindi / tika (dot) on the forehead and chin.

Madder Root
Being available in color that suits the lips this was utilized as to beautify lips and cheeks.

Hibiscus Rosa Cynensis (Jaswand or Shoe Flower)
With dark color of its own this was used to blacken and maintain hair color.

Raktachandan
This was another natural component available in attractive color and hence was used as fresh, red bindi / tika (dot) on the forehead.

Aloe Vera
With the traits that prevent aging and regenerate growth of cells this was used as a essential component to keep oneself fit and young and protect the skin and prevents and heals skin irritations.

Chandan and Vertiver (Usheer)
It was used as scrubs and face packs that were applied on face and whole body to remove dead cells, regenerate growth of new cells and give a young look.

Haldi (Turmeric)
It was used as a face pack along with usher (vertiver) and also as an antiseptic


Skin care and Ayurveda

It is not possible to get away with the process of aging and getting old but letting it not come very early is possible with ayurveda and its medicinal herbs. According to ayurveda healthy skin is the result of overall health condition of individuals and prescribes numerous skin care treatments that need to be pursued at every stage of life.

It is necessary to know about one's skin, whether it is oily, normal or dry and subsequently about its needs and necessities. Medically skin is a sensory organ that responds to reflexes and is a protective system that shields the entire living body. As ayurveda believes that all living beings have the panchamahabhoota as it is components, same is for skin. It is formed of the Pancha Mahabhootas and is the seat of sparshan indriya (a tactile sensory organ). Apart from perceiving sensations such as cold, warm, heavy, light, rough, smooth, etc. skin is also an excretory agent for Sweda (sweat). Skin is also the dwelling of Bhrajaka pitta and regulates the temperature of the living body and absorbs all local medicinal applications. The complexion and luster of our skin is also conferred to the skin. According to the sage Sushrut: "As the heating of milk forms a layer of cream on the milk surface, in a similar manner in the embryonic stage, dhatus (seven basic elements described in Ayurveda which compose the human body) form the different layers of the skin on our body."

According to Ayurveda skin is made up of seven layers and every successive layer is thicker than the previous one and can be affected by various disorders.

Following are the various layers of the skin:

• Avabhhasini
  Being the thinnest skin of the skin that provides five different chhayas (shades) and kanti (glow) to the skin. As the skin layer has the capacity to retain water Charaka has described this layer as udakadhara. On being bruised, lasika, a watery substance flows out of it but if the skin is ehalthythis layer holds on to lasika and does not allow it to flow out immediately.
  
  The two disorders that effect this layer are:
  
  • Sidmha
    
  • Padmakantaka.
    
    
• Lohita
  The two disorders that effect this layer are called
  
  • Nyaccha
    
  • Tilkalaka vyanga
    
    
• Shweta
  The disorders that are found in this layer of skin are:
  
  • Charmadala
    
  • Ajagalli
    
  • Mashaka
    
    
• Tamra
  The disorders effecting this skin layer are:
  
  • Kilasa
    
  • Kushta
    
    
• Vedini
  The disorder that effects the skin's this particular layer are:
  
  • Kustha
    
  • Visarpa
    
    
• Rohini
  The disorders that disease this layer of skin are:
  
  • Granthi
    
  • Apachi
    
  • Arbuda
    
  • Galaganda
    
    
• Mamsadhara
  The disorders found in this skin layer are called:
  
  • Bhagandara
    
  • vidradhi

Skin Care - Part V

Look Beautiful - The Natural Way

Our skin faces a constant barrage of chemicals everyday from pollution to harsh chemically formulated products that strip the skin of its natural balance. These simple Ayurvedic home remedies help you to attain a clear, healthy and glowing complexion. Ayurveda mentions many simple natural ways to maintain a healthy and glowing skin. Using these natural ways, one can stay beautiful for a longer period without having to suffer the side effects of the chemicals.

Below are some simple 'secrets' to achieve a naturally beautiful skin.

• Mix equal quantities of cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice. Wash the face and apply it overnight. Rinse off in the morning. This clears the complexion and keeps it healthy.
  
• Take 50 ml. of raw (not boiled) milk and mix a pinch of salt and two teaspoonful of lime juice in it. Use it as a cleansing lotion. It helps to clean the deep pores of skin.
  
• Mix equal quantities of lime juice, glycerin and rose water. This lotion if applied to the face regularly at bed time is very useful in removing pimples, blackheads and other stains of the skin. It makes the skin soft, and can also be applied to other parts of the body (hands, feet etc.)
  
• Take 50 ml. of tomato juice and mix with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply this mixture to the face. It helps to make the skin soft and glowing.
  
• Take equal quantities of turmeric powder and wheat flour and make a paste with sesame oil. Apply it to the face to remove unwanted hair.
  
• Apply orange juice to the face for smooth and soft skin.
  
• Take 30 ml. of cabbage juice and mix one teaspoon of honey in it. This mixture, if applied regularly to the face, helps to keep the wrinkles away.
  
• Make a paste of raw carrots and apply it to the face. Wash it after one hour. The skin will become glowing.
  
• Regular application of mint juice to the face helps to remove stains.

Try out some of these simple natural remedies for smooth, clear and radiant complexion.

Tips for Skin Care

Satin Smooth Skin

• When you have a Mango, do not throw the peels. Powder the peels. Add 1 teaspoon milk powder and rub all over.
• Wash off after 5 minutes for a satin finish!

Extremely Dry Skin!

• To treat extremely dry skin, mash a Banana and a tablespoon of Honey to it. Apply on the skin, leave on for 10 minutes and wash off.

Tired / Dull Skin!

• Mix together 24ml Apricot Kernel Oil, 5 drops of Petitgrain Oil, 4 drops of Sandalwood Oil and 3 drops of Chamomile oil.
• Apply as a mask for 10 minutes or massage on to your face.
  
• It will rejuvenate tired and dull skin.

Dry / Papery Skin!

• Blend together 24ml Jojoba Oil, 4 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil, 3 drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil and 2 drops of Rosewood Essential Oil
• Use this blend for a facial massage to help dry/papery skin.

Body Exfoliator!

• Mix a 4th cup Olive Oil to half cup Brown Sugar and add 4 tablespoons grated Lemon zest - makes great low cost body exfoliator.

Skin Care, Honey!

• Moisturize your skin with honey!
• Take 2 tablespoons of Honey and 1 teaspoon of Glycerin.
• Massage it into the skin regularly and wash off after five minutes.
• This will moisturize your skin and avoid the greasy feel.

Soft and Supple Skin

• Scrub your skin with one teaspoon of walnut powder, honey and lemon juice.
• Great way to have a super soft and supple skin.

Remedy for a glowing skin in 15 mins

• Rub a piece of papaya to face and neck till 15 mins and feel the difference on the tip of ur fingers
• The best way for a golden glow in minutes
  or,
• 2 tbsp orange juice
  
• 2tbsp turmeric powder
  
• Mix well n use it as a scrub to face n neck for a golden glow.
  
• Leave on for 15-20 mins and wash off with water

Skin Treatment with Tomatoes!

• Tomatoes are slightly acidic in nature and contain potassium and Vitamin C. Tomatoes are excellent for oily skins and help the skin feel cleaner and tighter, as well as reduce open pores and blackheads.
• Cut the tomato in half and rub on the skin. Leave on for at least fifteen minutes to let the skin feed on the juice,so that it saturates into the pores. Wash off with water.

Sun Damaged Skin!

• If you have overexposed yourself to sun, to soothe your skin, take a lukewarm bath with 5-6 drops of Chamomile Essence diluted in a tablespoon of Carrier Oil.
• Repeat this at intervals of a few hours until the burning subsides.
  

Smoother Skin with Cabbage

• Cabbage is rich in minerals and vitamins.
• Next time you are boiling cabbage, don't throw away the left over water. Wash your face with this water and you will feel your skin growing smoother.

Blemishes On Face?

• Grate an apple and apply it as a face mask daily for a week.
  
• Blemishes shall fade away naturally!
  
• Soft & Clear Skin
• Take a Papaya and rub all over skin.
• This has cleansing enzymes which will leave skin soft and squeaky clean.

Healthy Glowing Youthful Skin

• Massage your face, daily, with a combination of fresh cream, lemon juice and honey.
• Then do a five-minute scrub of powdered almonds, walnuts and honey mixed with a little fresh cream milk.

Clean and Clear Skin

• Take 30-40 Neem leaves and boil in one litre of water until the liquid turns to half.
• Drink three-four tablespoons of this syrup daily.

Glowing Skin

• Take 1/2 tablespoon of turmeric powder, 5 tablespoons of sandalwood powder, 1 tablespoon of almond oil and mix with milk.
• Apply on face, neck and the back. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes and wash off.