Face Masks for Healthy Skin

Why not try something reliable and different at the same time? Yes this is about naturally made herbal face mask that rejuvenate your skin and leave you with a soothing effect. Herbal face masks are primarily developed using natural herbs and they dig out the deeply set dirt. Natural face masks are best for your skin as they inject antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids that ensure a healthy skin. These masks do not contain any chemical preservatives and antibacterial compounds. These masks are made from various extracts and mixtures of fruits or vegetables, with yogurt and other natural compounds often customized together.

Natural and herbal facemasks provide essential nutrients that are needed by your skin and help in making the skin look younger and youthful. There are different natural masks that are in form of gels which are extracts pulled from herbs and clays. These natural components absorb excess oil and powerfully grime dirt particles out of your skin. Honey based natural masks are more effective as they increase amount of collagen in your skin. Masks containing blends of zinc and copper protein complexes are also good for skin as they increase collagen content in skin.

It is a good method to use natural cleansing face mask and natural hydrating face mask alternatively which will give your skin an extreme dose of hydration and effective deep cleansing. Clay masks are also a good way to keep your skin healthy as they help regenerate skin and add beneficial nourishment to your skin. It is recommended to apply a mask weekly for effective results. Masks are not found in one size which fit all so you must recognize your skin type before you choose any. There is a facial mask for every skin type and each mask caters to different needs depending on ingredients that it contains. Identify your skin type and choose the one that suits you best.

Wonders Caused by Facial Masks

A nice smooth waterproofed layer is created on our skin due to the presence of fats in our body. It is important to keep the skin hydrated so as to maintain its elasticity, suppleness and softness. Still sometimes the weather, harmful rays of sun or the polluted environment can cause your skin to look dull, dry and fatigued. Along with this lack of sleep, unhealthy eating habits and hectic living styles can make your skin look flaky and cracked. Make up used on the face also clogs the pores and our skin is not able to take in the fresh air that is required for its healthy and glowing look. For such situations, facial masks can be used to give our skin the essential nutrients required. Facial masks are much thicker than other tropical treatments or moisturizers and penetrate deep into your skin. This helps the skin to absorb essential elements and maintain its elasticity.

All facial masks perform cleansing functions of removing excess oils, pollutants and harmful toxins from the skin. Depending on the skin type and availability of materials, you can use various anti aging products for your skin. An important part of any facial mask is clay, as it has excellent absorbing properties. Polymers and gums are also added to the skin care products made from clay. These help in further removing of sebum, dead skin and dirt so that the skin can look clean and youthful.

Some skin care facial masks are used to clarify, exfoliate and unclog pores from the skin. They work by removing of the dead skin layer and dirt from the face and end up giving a healthy looking skin. These facial masks help in maintaining the moisture balance of the skin. It also helps in removing fine lines and makes the skin radiant and soft.

If you apply a face mask once a week then you can have a soft, youthful and clean skin.

Facial Treatments for Adult Acne

When one thinks of acne, a teenager may come to mind first. No one expects to have acne as an adult but it is more common than one might think. On average 50 percent of women and 25 percent of men are affected by adult acne. Adult acne is usually attributed to hormonal shifts, allergic reactions to skincare products or medications. The good news is many new treatments and procedures are available.

The cause of adult acne remains unknown, but is often attributed to genetics and hormonal changes. Contributing factors can include: side effects from certain medications, cosmetic products with high oil contents, excessive sweating, diet, stress, pregnancy, and menopause. An acne lesion, blemish or clogged pore is caused when bacteria multiply excessively within the hair follicle. An oil-releasing blockage then develops from the sebaceous gland and enlarged sebaceous oil glands produce an overabundance of oil. Blockages of bacteria and oil then build, leading to adult acne problems such as pimples, inflammation, cysts, and scarring. Adult acne most often appears on the face; however, it can appear on the arms, legs, buttocks, and torso.

Adult acne is a fairly new problem as adult acne has just recently become an epidemic. Acne previously had been a concern of teens and young adults. Dermatological and esthetic treatments for adults will likely be very similar to those used to treat teens. To prevent acne, hormonal and life style changes, such as diet, may be incorporated. The findings have suggested that a lifetime of exposure to hormone enriched foods and medication may be a main culprit in this new wide concern of adult acne.

The appropriate treatment for acne varies depending on each individual. Adult acne treatments include ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retin-a, accutane, sulfur, tetracycline and/or a variety of over the counter medications. However, there’s more than medicine to treating adult acne. To obtain the best results treatments should include not only skin care products that target acne bacteria, but make changes that affect the body’s internal system. A multifaceted approach of treatments, behaviors, and diet is often most effective. Here are a few simple strategies to help you combat adult acne:
•    Consult your doctor about hormonal changes
•    Follow a daily skin care regimen
•    Protect skin from pollution and environmental damage
•    Avoid touching your face
•    Avoid exposure to sun and excessive cold
•    Select non-oil based cosmetic products
•    Eat a well-balanced diet

Natural remedies can also work alone or in combination with professional assistance in clearing adult acne. As stated earlier, diet is a very important factor in adult acne. A diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, help fight free radicals and skin damage that may be left behind after the acne has cleared. Ointment or creams that are rich in Vitamin E can fight against bacteria and sooth the sensitized acne are. Tea tree oil and herbal extracts have been known to clear acne by fighting bacteria and regulating oil production.

Herbal extracts or herbs to look for in topical or ingested formulas include burdock, yellow dock, cleaver, and sarsaparilla. As adult acne has been a fairly new area of study for dermatologists and estheticians, it is best to follow a treatment plan that is unique to your severity of acne.

Four Step Facial Care for Men

Today more than ever, men are concerned with skin care and taking care of their skin. Most skin care lines are geared toward women and concerns that women have with skin health, while few are geared towards men’s skin health. The following are easy and fast tips for men to follow to start taking care of their skin, without the confusion of too many products or steps. Men’s skin care should include a daily face wash, a mild facial scrub, proper shaving techniques, and a moisturizer containing sunscreen.

Face Wash

Men should cleanse their skin with a mild facial cleanser morning and night. Cleansers should contain cleansing agents and be mild with moisturizing ingredients that help balance skin ph levels. Cleansing, morning and night, will remove excess oil and dirt, keeping pores clear and skin less prone to break outs.

Facial Scrub

A mild facial scrub that contains micro beads or exfoliating components such as papaya seeds can aid in over all skin health and shaving irritation. A facial scrub can be used a few times a week. A good tip is to leave the scrub in the shower and use on days following shaving. Scrubs help to shed dead skin and keep pores free of debris. Using a scrub a few times a week will also reduce ingrown hairs.

Proper Shaving Techniques

Whether you choose a wet shave or electrical, the skin should be cleansed prior to shaving. If using the traditional wet shave techniques, cleanse the skin first and use a shaving gel or cream to reduce irritation, cuts and skin snags. Shaving gels aid the blade over the skin causing the razor to catch the hairs and not the skin. For electrical shavers, cleanse and dry the skin and be sure that the blades of the electrical shaver are properly cleansed and sanitized. Electrical shavers can harbor bacteria that can then be transferred to the skin, causing irritation. An after-shave or mild facial moisturizer should always be applied after shaving. . After shaves often contain ingredients that will help reduce irritation and sooth the skin, while a moisturizer will sooth and hydrate the area.

Moisturizer with Sunscreen

As men tend to have more oily skin than women, a morning moisturizer containing a sunscreen is usually enough to properly moisturize men’s skin. However, if moisturizing at night is preferred, choose a light moisturizer that does not contain sunscreen. A day time moisturizer with sunscreen will protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, while moisturizing and hydrating the skin, leaving it healthy and smooth. A night moisturizer would follow a night cleanse and would be beneficial for older men or men that have a drier skin type. The same moisturizer can be used day and night if it does not contain sunscreen, however a sunscreen should then be applied over the moisturizer during the day.

While it is widely known that most men will not take the same amount of time women may to take care for their skin, these tips are the basics to a great complexion for any man. With a little bit of discipline, any man can have younger-looking, smoother skin too.

By Tiffany Oney

Tiffany Oney is a licensed esthetician, professional makeup artist and natural skincare authority.  She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies California State University, Long Beach and interning with Vivoderm Natural Skincare in Los Angeles, California.