4 Basic Steps to Incredible Skin

To keep your face looking as youthful as possible, you need to proper skin care. Here I show you how to properly cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize your skin while never leaving the house without at least 30 SPF sunscreen. I've dubbed this process "The Basic 4-Step Skincare Regimen," which I outline in this article. I also include organic skincare tips for the growing number of you who are concerned with putting only natural, organic products on your skin. How you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged.

The Basic 4-Step Skincare Regimen 

Step 1: Cleansing

Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it.

You can find a good cleanser at the drugstore. There's no need to spend $40 on a fancy wash. Avoid bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. According to Rona Berg, in her book, "Beauty," a French cosmetics executive once told her, "Soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down." I agree. Choose a creamy cleanser if you have dry skin or a clear cleanser if you have oily skin.

Be careful not to cleanse too often, you risk over-cleansing skin, You really only need to wash your face at night to remove makeup and sunscreen, which can clog pores. If you have dry skin, consider cold cream like Pond's, which the French use or make your own organic cold cream. Simply apply cream, then wipe off, no water needed (if you have hard water, it can be especially harsh on skin). Most women prefer the water method: Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water.


 In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need (I find it's great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both can cause broken capillaries).

Step 2: Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. According to Berg, one of the reasons men's skin looks more youthful than women's is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave.


There are several exfoliating options that I use weekly. Here are my favorites:

• A facial scrub. You can buy a great scrub or make your own. I prefer sugar scrubs to salt ones, but it's just a matter of preference.
• A washcloth. Put a dab of cleanser and a sprinkle of white refined sugar on a damp washcloth and massage skin in a circular motion. After a quick rinse, any sign of dead skin is erased. If you have dry skin, try extra virgin coconut oil.
• Microdermabrasion. You can buy microdermabrasion kits. I have and found quite a few I like. 
• Chemical peels. In the hour it takes to get a chemical peel, you can take a year from your face. Can't afford the price tag for a monthly peel?
• Retinoids (such as Retin-A or the more moisturizing Renova) also work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells while also generating collagen in the skin. "Collagen is the skin's structural fiber," dermatologist Dennis Gross said in O Magazine. "As we get older, it breaks down, creating lines and large pores." Skincare experts disagree on all sorts of things, but most of them consider retinoids to be a miracle skin saver. I'm addicted to Retin-A, which I pick up in Mexico on my yearly jaunts.

Should you use a toner? Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not (I once read a skincare expert claim, "toners are only for copy machines"). Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. I firmly believe it's up to you. If you like the way your skin feels with a toner. Buy it. Use it. Enjoy it.

Step 3: Moisturize

While I know of at least one famous beauty editor who swore skin doesn't need moisturizer, basically everyone else I've read disagrees and is an adamant believer in it. A basic rule of beauty is that if you have dry skin, you should invest in a basic moisturizer. So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to over-moisturize -- this can clog pores.

Are eye creams necessary? Well maybe. Some beauty experts strongly recommend eye creams. Why? The skin around the eye contains no fatty tissue and is therefore very thin and susceptible to wrinkles. Special eye creams are formulated to "thicken" this area. Yet other experts (including the beauty editors of Allure in their new book) claim your daily lotion works around the eyes just as well.

Step 4: Apply Sunscreen

The #1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF from your early years on even in winter and on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase two moisturizers: One for night and one for day that includes UV protection. Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 and can aggravate skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains Mexoryl (found in my favorite sunscreen La-Roche Posay) or Helioplex, found in Neutrogena products.

Article source: http://beauty.about.com/b/2013/03/06/4-basic-steps-to-incredible-skin.htm

Top 5 Types of Relaxing Massages

Massages have been the 'ultimate' way to relax for a long time. With many benefits including gaining a healthier mind and body, it is a great way to treat yourself and truly feel relaxed - even if it for just an hour once a fortnight!

There are many different types of massages, and each have their own unique qualities for helping you relax:

Thai Massage

A Thai massage is an ancient massaging technique which dates back more than 2500 years. Rather than using oils and creams to massage your back, you stay fully clothed and a Thai massage therapist moves your body around into a variety of positions to stretch out your muscles.

The therapist will use their arms, feet, hands, and legs to manipulate your body into a number of yoga-inspired positions. This is said to improve circulation, flexibility, energy, and is also said to decrease stress.

Swedish Massage

A very famous massaging style, the Swedish massage is relaxing and gentle. The Swedish massage is mainly performed with a series of gentle, brushing strokes and oil and focuses on improving circulation and relaxation in your back, shoulders, neck, arms, and legs. A massage therapist performing a Swedish massage may also work out any knots you may have if you ask them to focus on a particularly tense area.

This type of massage increase mobility, circulation and helps the release of endorphins which help fight pain and also keep you happy!

Reflexology

A reflexology session is mainly focused on massaging the feet and sometimes the hands at certain 'reflex' points which are connected to specific areas of your body.

This is a great method for stimulating and healing problem areas, increasing relaxation, reducing pain and getting rid of stress.

Shiatsu Massage

Hot stone therapy or massage is a technique that uses rocks such as basalt covered in massage oil that are heated to about 120 degrees F. Instead of being massaged by a therapist's hands, the stones slide down your back for an even deeper massage.

This type of massage has been known to help the body detoxify, improve the circulatory system, and reduce stress.

Shiatsu Massage

Known as a spiritual massage, the shiatsu is a therapy which involves a therapist applying pressure to various parts of the body to balance out the body's energy. This is a deep muscle relaxation technique which is great for reducing stress.

As you can see, there are many varieties of massages available to help you achieve balance and relaxation. Incorporating any of these into your life on a regular basis can really help you feel wonderful on many levels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7347868

What You Need to Know About Oily Skin

Oily skin can make it difficult to maintain your skin's health and beauty. However, if you know the factors which contribute to extremely oily skin, you can better understand the treatment options available. If you have oily skin, here are a few things you should know about your skin type. 

How the Oil Is Produced 

The sebaceous glands reside deep in the skin, in the dermis, the second level of skin. Throughout a person's life, they produce oil, otherwise known as sebum. The glands are particularly concentrated in the face, neck, back, and chest, making these areas the oiliest on any body, not just on oily skin types. Not surprisingly, the person with an oily skin type has an overproduction of oil which creates excessive shine rather than the desired, balanced healthy looking glow. 

What Causes Oily Skin 

Having oily skin may be out of your control. As a hereditary trait, if your family members have oily skin, you are more likely to also. It can also be linked to hormones. For example, upon beginning a birth control regimen or hitting puberty, many women find themselves dealing with oily skin. 

However, there are a few things which contribute to oily skin which can be avoided. Humidity may assist in over-production of oil; consider getting a dehumidifier for your home or office. Your diet also plays a large role in your skin's temperament. Eating large amounts of proteins and vegetables while avoiding carbohydrates and saturated fat can help moderate your skin's oil production. 

How to Tell if You Have Oily Skin 

Other than the obvious give-away of feeling extra oily, oily skin types come with a few other telltale signs. People with oily skin tend to experience pimples more often than other skin types. Pores tend to be enlarged, allowing more dirt and grease to collect if not cleaned properly. Make-up also tends to wear off more swiftly. 

How to Treat Oily Skin 

The main treatment tip for oily skin: be gentle. When you use harsh soaps and cleanse until there's no oil left, the body notices and naturally produces even more oil to take its place. Using a cleanser followed by a non-oil-based moisturizer can increase the quality of your skin. Facials also enhance oily skin, particularly when they incorporate glycolic or salicylic acids. 






Article Source:Meredi Wagner-Hoehn
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_11409.shtml