Simple Skincare & Beauty Tips ~ Just for You!
The wrinkle cream industry is well-known for integrating interesting ingredients into its products which may not be as effective as they claim. Every company claims to have the next “wonder ingredient” in hopes that desperate consumers will give their product a try to see if those claims are true. After all, if most of the claims out there are to be believed, it takes about 1 month for a product’s effects to “kick in”, and by then, a consumer would have purchased 1 or 2 units of the anti-wrinkle cream, which is more than enough to keep any company going.
So what are some of the more interesting anti-aging ingredients out there? Which ones actually work? Here are some of the most interesting ingredients that have been featured in skincare lines over the past decade or so.
Algae: Algae is a great moisturizer and is known for its abilities to reduce oil. This is why algae and extracts of algae are often used as ingredients in acne creams and are also used in skincare products that contain oils as ingredients.
Snail Secretions: Snail secretions have been used in skincare for years now, and its advantages as a regenerative ingredient have been well-researched. Snail secretions don’t have a great reputation as a wrinkle fighter, but do have a reputation for helping to fix burns, scars, and serious pigmentation problems.
Placenta: Human placenta is obviously one of the most important factors in nurturing a baby during its nine months in the womb. As a skincare ingredient, it is rich in protein and hormones that can’t be found in many other places. Political correctness aside, human placenta is actually a decent complementary ingredient within skincare formulas.
Semen: Some beauty salons began making waves a few years back when they started offering facials featuring spermine, which is a derivative of sperm. A popular Norwegian company has actually based their most popular skincare line off an artificially composed version of spermine. The truth is that spermine has actually been officially studied by scientists as a skincare ingredient. Those studies have revealed that spermine actually works as an effective antioxidant and moisturizer, but is not necessarily a miracle wrinkle fighter.
Foreskin: Certain companies have included human foreskin — or rather artificially grown versions of human foreskin — as the base of their skincare products for years. Supposedly, foreskins contain an ingredient that helps to renew collagen and by extension, fight wrinkles. The veracity of these claims remains to be seen.
Snake Venom: Several of today’s top skincare ingredients (such as Acetyl Hexapeptide-3) work by emulating Botox’s effects. Ingredients like these penetrate the skin and slightly debilitate facial muscles, which helps eliminate the formation of new facial wrinkles in the long run. Several companies now include snake venom within their facial creams as an alternative to these ingredients, since snake venom is known for its paralyzing effects.
If you look hard enough, you’ll find almost anything you could imagine touted as an anti-aging ingredient and eventually bottled and sold as part of a “revolutionary” skin cream or serum. Other examples include green tea, nearly every kind of vegetable and fruit-based oil you could think of (avocado oil, for example), caviar, and gold. The truth is that none of these ingredients work extremely well as wrinkle-fighters; in many cases, the products that contain these ingredients work well because of the other ingredients that are contained within them. However, many of these natural ingredients are great additions as secondary ingredients, and in many cases are great alternatives to the plethora of laboratory-created chemicals included in skincare products today. My recommendation? Do your research before buying any wrinkle cream with a “miracle” ingredient and don’t write off natural ingredients in favor of chemical additives.
We love to thank the ladies over at Wrinkle Review for helping us out with a guest post Today! This blog was brought to you by Wrinkle Review. For more information about anti-aging skincare and product reviews, please visit their site. They got lots of information!! 
People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas
~ Author Unknown
I was at the Wholefoods store a few days ago and one of the workers there and I got to talking about oils and the benefits from them. One of the oils we talked about was Coconut oil and how good it is for your skin! She also told me that it could replace a whole lot of things in my diet including using coconut milk in my coffee but that is another story. 
Haven’t decided if I want to try that just yet.. I have a few cans of coconut milk
Coconut oils natural health benefits not only for your hair, but as your skin as well. In fact many products today have coconut oil in them because of the large number of fantastic benefits it has for your skin.
Did you know that the oil from a coconut is extracted from the shell? And it is included in most face creams because it have been found to nourish your skin? Coconut oil actually works as an anti-aging cream. The antioxidants of vitamin E provide an initial layer of protection against the sun but the combination of this with the Lauric acid found in coconut oil keeps the skin bacteria free. This means that coconut oil is giving your skin a double helping of beneficial effects. This promotes anti-aging skin as it fights off bacteria and strengthens the skin tissue.
Vitamin E in coconut oil acts as an antioxidant – meaning that it protects skin cells from UV light, pollution and the negative effects of smoke and other “free radicals”. The most notable of these is of course the prevention of skin cancer making coconut oil one of the most beneficial forms of sun screen available. This does not mean replace your sunscreen with just Vitamin E.. 
Coconut oil also has fantastic moisturizing benefits that extend beyond simply the high content of vitamin E.
Virgin coconut oil is a highly effective and completely natural moisturizer. It is unlikely to create adverse reactions as it is completely natural meaning that, unlike many moisturizers, you don’t have to worry about rashes and unsightly blemishes appearing on your skin. Further compared to most moisturizing creams – which let’s face it carry extortionate price tag- coconut oil is cheap to buy and lasts a long time.
One of the workers I was talking with using coconut oil on her face and body as a over-all moisturizer because of the price and because it comes in a big jar. She uses it to cook with, and as a moisturizer/conditioner for her hair. $$$ Money Saver!!
In terms of natural remedies coconut oil treats and alleviates many common skin conditions including eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. This is why it is a common ingredient in natural skin treatments worldwide.
How about a simple DIY Face Mask using Coconut Oil?
(Remember test before using this recipe)
Mix together in a bowl a teaspoonful of sea-kep powder (dried and ground)
and 2 Tabespoonsful (1 fluid ounce) of coconut oil.
Massage into your face, neck and forehead for a few minutes.
Leave on for 30 minutes and rinsh off with lukewarm water with a few drops of lemon juice added to it. This will help remove any blemishes and leave your skin soft and smooth. Do this once a week..
Its amazing what coconut oil can do for your skin. It can be turn into coconut butter, there is coconut milk in fact its like there is almost nothing wasted. My favorite part of the coconut is the flesh. I love it fresh right out of the coconut! I really dislike dried coconut flakes.
What are your thoughts about the benefits of coconut oil? I have got to ask, has anyone tried coconut milk in their coffee? 
I get my cool photos here: 123RF Stock Photo Have a wonderful weekend!!
It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor
~ Marcus Tullius Cicero
Healthy skin is really one of the most important ingredients for your own true natural beauty. This article is to give you 10 good skin care tips that we thought might be helpful for you to care for your skin naturally. The list of just 10 skin care tips that should be at the top of everyone’s list. The are in no real order, just tips to help your skin.
So let’s see what these top ten skin care tips are:
* Knowing your skin type is one of the most important skin care tip. The reason why this is important because not every skin care product suits all skin. In fact, most the skin care products work better if they are used for the skin type they are geared towards. If you got dry skin you do not want to use skincare made for someone who as acne for example. So read the labels to be the skincare products you are using work for you skin.
* ‘Drink a lot of water’. This is just a common tip that just seems to be forgotten. This will not keep your skin moist but will help in overall upkeep of your health (and in turn your skin). This is an important skin care tip.
* Cleanse your skin regularly (2 times a day, once in the morning then at night to remove the dirt for the day, and do this everyday). Its a great skin care tip that helps in getting rid of the dirt and other harsh elements from your skin. Cleansing is especially important when you have been out of your house (and hence exposed to pollutants, dust etc). There is no such thing as makeup so pure you can sleep in, so wash it off every night. Using lukewarm water is best for cleansing (hot and cold water, both, can really dry out your skin)
* Be gentle, after all it’s your skin. Try not do scrub/exfoliate too hard or too often. Using a exfoliate product is good about once a week but more than that you are going to do some damage. Similarly, don’t apply too much or too many different skin care products. You can block your pores or react to one of the products you are not using and not be sure which one. A must-to-follow skin care tip.
* Keep your skin moist at all times. This is one of the most important skin care tip. Don’t let your skin get over-dry. It really does show up on your face. Dryness causes the outer layer of your skin to break, leading to a rough and unattractive appearance. By using moisturisers/ emollients you are not only helping your skin outer look but you are helping your skin keep its moisture in . Moisturisers work best when applied while the skin is still damp.
* Simple tip but it does need to be said. Avoid the use of body soap on your face. Soap should only be used from below the neck. What you use below the neck is not what you should be using on your face. Its a small but important skin care tip.
The number one skincare tip that no one really does enough of is wear sunscreen!
* By using sunscreen you are protecting yourself from sun’s harmful UV radiations. You can use day-time moisturisers that have sunscreen built into them. Use them even when it’s cloudy. And it doesn’t matter what time of year either. UV radiations are known to cause skin cancer, so follow this skin care tip without fail.
And don’t forget the rest of you either.
* A bit of exercise and good sleep are essential too, not just for skin care but for your health as a whole. Lack of sleep can lead to formation of wrinkles below your eyes and lack of exercise can cause your skin to slack. Moreover, exercise and sleep also help in beating stress. So besides being a skin care tip, this is also a health care tip.
* Treat skin breakouts with care. This skin care tip is about not ignoring any skin breakouts or more acne than you have had before. Consult your dermatologist before you try to treat your major breakouts with the newest skincare product on the market. You end up harming your skin even more than making it better. It goes back to another skincare tip, be careful of the number of skincare products you use.
* Beat the stress. In this day and age stress is on of the biggest killers overall. The harmful effects of stress are known to everyone, however, sometimes stating the obvious is essential too which is why its been added as a skin care tip. Yes, stress harms skin too. So, take a break or indulge in a warm bubble bath or just get good sleep.
Copyright 2012 Kim Snyder owner Overallbeauty.com
I prefer Hostess fruit pies to pop-up toaster tarts because they don't require so much cooking
~ Carrie Snow
An effective approach to managing skin allergies has three components. Firstly you must understand the condition, then you must discover if anything is triggering your skin reaction, and third you must look and decide the best ways to care for your skin.
Many people think that allergies only affect the respiratory or digestive systems, but they can also affect your largest organ- your skin. As with other allergies the immune system overreacts to the presence of certain substances and releases inflammation-producing chemicals. Do some research and talk to your doctor. You can be confident of controlling your skin condition better if you are sure you understand what causes it.
The second component in managing a skin allergy is identifying then eliminating the allergens and irritants that start the itching/scratching cycle. There are over three thousand known triggers for skin allergies. Many are natural, but there are plenty of man-made ones too.
A common man-made trigger is latex, which comes from the sap of the Brazilian rubber tree. ( I personally react to latex) The natural proteins and those added in the manufacturing process can trigger an allergic reaction. Most people are aware that this can lead to reactions if you wear latex gloves. However latex is also present in baby pacifiers, balloons, pencil erasers and elastic bands in undergarments. There can also be problems when latex particles become airborne and are inhaled. If you have a latex allergy try to avoid the material and use vinyl or plastic where possible.
Nickel is another trigger. In addition to the obvious nickel-containing metallic objects like coins and jewelry, nickel is also present in everyday objects like scissors, bathroom and kitchen cabinet handles, and zippers. Mascara, eye shadow and eye pencils also contain nickel. Experts estimate that the number of people suffering from a nickel allergy has risen about 40% in the last decade. Much of this is believed to be due to the popularity of body piercing. Some foods also have natural nickel content and people who suffer severe symptoms may need to restrict their diet under medical supervision. At present there is no way to desensitize a person with a nickel allergy. Avoidance is the best strategy.
The third component of effective management is looking after your skin. The easiest thing to do is to keep your fingernails short to reduce the damage caused by scratching.
Managing your skin’s condition means firstly moisturizing and softening the skin to ensure it does not dry out. Your doctor may recommend you use topical corticosteroid preparations to control the inflammation. A good simple product is Gold Bond, it has been around for years
and is well known for its anti-itch properties. its one of the products that anyone can use, and it will help your skin stop itching.
When you take a bath soak in lukewarm water for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not have hot baths or showers, as the heat will increase skin dryness and itching. You can add oatmeal or baking soda to the bath for a soothing effect, though it does not help moisturize the skin.
Use a mild soap or a non-soap cleanser with neutral pH (pH7). If you wish to add bath oils do so after you have been in the water so that it can seal in the moisture. Do not use bubble baths as they can form a barrier that stops the bathwater moisturizing your skin.
After the bath dry yourself by patting your skin with a soft towel. This helps retain moisture. Immediately after drying your skin apply a lotion/ body butter or emollient cream to help your skin retain the moisture.
To look after your skin you will also need to avoid situations where you will experience extreme physical contact, heavy perspiration, or heavy clothing. This may mean avoiding some sports. Swimming is permissible if you rinse the chlorine from your skin as soon as you leave the pool, and use a moisturizer after drying yourself. Make sure you get rid of the chlorine out of your hair, if you are blond you can go green,,
Follow these three steps and you will be able to control your skin allergy and minimize its impact on your everyday life.
I'm on a 90-day wonder diet. Thus far, I've lost 45 days
~ Author Unknown
Green living is a great way that few people have discovered to help planet Earth from the high-speed approaching disaster. Eco-friendly living is an outstanding way to live that many people are choosing nowadays as it helps to slow down various destroying processes. Green living means buying and using “green products” that are eco-friendly, along with several endeavors helping to save environment.
Here are 5 green living strategies that one can implement to experience or enjoy instant results:-
1. Finding Right Livelihood- A mixture of resources like outdoor work or any other green career like social work helps to go green. Try to find the best job and lifestyle suiting one’s talents, location and interests and make it eco-friendly.
2. Play Outside- Have a free time, go out off the home to play and enjoy the greeneries of parks and gardens. Take a dog to walk, go to the nearby beach or get all friends for a picnic. One will definitely feel healthier, happier and more powerful and start sensing good things for planet Earth.
3. Eat Right and Marry Well- One should adopt a healthy lifestyle with proper diet as it helps one to stay away from deadly diseases. Try to have a perfect match or a good community; this will help one to become emotionally strong.
4. Eco-friendly Home- Home is the most important place where people spend most of their time. Check whether it is nurturing and nourishing or not. If not, this is the right time to make some changes, use some greenery inside and outside the home. This will spread a positive energy everywhere leading to positive way to think and see this world.
5. Think globally- There are lots of global problems which need a thought to improve the situation. If one thinks globally but acts locally, this will certainly help in finding some effective solution and increases one’s influence, sophistication and accuracy.
Green Living means taking a fresh start and feeling good by contributing something to save Earth.
What have you done today, that was helpful for mother earth?
Wisdom is to the soul what health is to the body
~ De Saint-Real
