Archive for October 3rd, 2009

Natural Skin Care Oils Will Keep Your Skin Smooth And Soft

The use of natural skin care oils is what you need in order to have skin that is soft, and thoroughly moisturized.  These compounds provide your skin with the essential fatty acids necessary for good skin health, and can also provide calcium and B-group vitamins.  The most important thing that they add to your skin is antioxidants, which you need in order to keep your skin younger looking.

Before I go any further into this composition on the benefit of natural oils, I have to set the record straight on one thing.  No matter what the cosmetics companies may try to make you believe, mineral oil is not one of the healthy oils that your skin needs.  This oil is a derivative of a byproduct of crude oil production, and it will do your skin nothing but harm.

Paraffin components could be considered natural skin care oils because they come from the earth, but they would never come into existence without the help of man and his machines.  These compounds are commonly used in cosmetics, baby lotions, cold creams, and ointments, mainly because they are plentiful and inexpensive.  These compounds are known for causing problems with the skin.

Paraffin oils are a comedogenic substance, which means that they can cause, or worsen cases of acne.  This mechanism is triggered by the fact that these substances plug the philosebaceous orifice.  These compounds will also interfere with the naturally occurring exfoliation process, and because the sebaceous glands cannot produce fresh oil the skin becomes dry, and flaky.

Natural skin care oils are components such as grape seed oil, which is a powerful antioxidant, and it forms an invisible barrier on your skin that keeps moisture in.  It is rich in linolenic acid and other essential nutrients, and is also a source of natural vitamin E.  This compound has proven especially effective in repairing the skin around the eyes, which is especially sensitive to damaging elements.

Another excellent choice is Babassu palm oil, which is especially effective at softening and soothing your skin.  This is beneficial for both dry and oily complexions, and it has been proven effective in alleviating eczema, dry, itchy, and inflamed skin.  This compound will moisturize the skin without making it oily, and also works to lock moisture deep down in the skin.

Avocado is one of the best natural skin care oils that you can have in your product.  This component is deeply hydrating, and it is also highly compatible with your skin’s own natural oils.  This compound has been also been scientifically proven to stimulate the growth of new collagen, and it increases the proportion of soluble collagen in your skin.  This is what you need in order to look younger.

You can truly benefit more from the use of natural skin care oils than you can from almost any other substances.  You need to always make sure that the oils in your formula are plant based, in order to get the most out of your cosmetics formulas.  Don’t let the cosmetics companies fool you into using compounds that don’t offer what natural oils do.

To learn more about great <a target=”_blank” href=”http://www.skinantiagingsite.com/ “>skin care products </a> check out my web site listed in the bio section below.

Elizabeth Ruby is passionate about good health and using healthy products on her skin. She does extensive research on the best products to use and what products to avoid. Visit her website at http://www.skinantiagingsite.com/ to find out what products she recommends.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/natural-skin-care-oils-will-keep-your-skin-smooth-and-soft-1298043.html

Sun Protection – The First Step To Effective Skin Care

Skin care is not all about using specialized skin care products and going for expensive skin treatments. Rather, it starts with something as simple as effective sun protection. Sunlight is the prime reason for skin damage and if you protect your skin against sunlight, you can prevent nearly half of all your skin problems.

UV Rays and SPF Protection

SPF is the Sun Protection Factor of a skin care product. It is the measure of the ability of the sunscreen to protect against the UVB rays. However, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee protection against the UVA rays.

UVB rays, often referred to as the ‘burning rays’ are responsible for sunburns. They reach the skin surface and have a burning effect almost immediately.

UVA rays are called ‘aging rays’. This is because they penetrate deep within the skin surface and cause damage to the intrinsic cells and tissues. These rays are also responsible for premature aging (development of wrinkles, fine lines, age spots etc.) as well as for most skin cancer. They don’t produce any visible redness on the skin but damage the skin slowly and gradually. Thus, you don’t even realize the extent of damage until it gets out of hand.

It is important to use a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection i.e. protection against the UVB rays as well as the UVA rays of the sun. Some of the common sunscreen ingredients that protect against both the ultra-violets rays are Avobenzone, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide and Oxybenzone.

The SPF represents the amount of time one can stay out in the sun without getting burnt. . For example, if you can stay in the sun for 30 minutes without getting red, using an SPF 30 product can multiply this 30 times over. So, with an SPF 30 product, you can stay protected for 30 X 30 = 900 minutes.

Typically, an SPF 30 sunscreen is more than enough for effective sun protection throughout the day. Also remember that higher SPF doesn’t mean better protection. The higher SPF count is just because it contains more chemicals.

Product Suggestions:

La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid

Obagi Physical UV Block SPF 32

iS Clinical SPF 25 Treatment Sunscreen

Functioning of the Sunscreen

There are two types of Sunscreens– Chemical sunscreens and Physical sunscreens.

Chemical sunscreen absorb the UV radiations of the sun and renders them ineffective. As a result, the energy level gets lowered and it gets released as heat.

Physical sunscreens reflect the UV radiations and doesn’t let them penetrate the skin surface

Chemical sunscreens are generally more effective. However, it often tends to be too strong for certain skin types especially sensitive skin types. Therefore, its better to use physical sunscreens for sensitive skin. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are common ingredients used in physical sunscreens.

Effects of Sun Damage

The UV rays of the sun can cause grave damage to the skin cells. radiation of the skin can cause grave damage to the skin. Here are some potential effects of sun damage.

Skin Cancer
Prolonged and unprotected sun exposure causes severe skin damage that can even lead to skin cancer. This can in turn be potentially fatal.

Free Radical Damage
Free radicals are unstable molecules in the skin that have lose an electron. Subsequently, they start seeking an extra electron from the surrounding molecules thereby starting a chain process. The UV radiations of the sun create free radicals in your body and thus causes damage. To prevent this, use sunscreens that contain potent antioxidants.

Immune System Damage
The UV rays of the sun accelerate the release of certain chemicals in the body that suppress its natural defense system and hampers its ability to eliminate cancer cells. This process is also called immunosuppression.

Thinning of Veins and Capillaries

Exposure to the UV rays of the sun leads to thinning of the blood vessel walls. This further leads to bruising and trauma particularly on the hands and arms.

Loss of Collagen & Elastin
As we age, the collagen and elastin fibers within our bodies deplete. However, UV rays of the sun accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin and leads to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.

Dr. Marilynn Syrett is a graduate from Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine Of The Pacific. She has authored several articles about skin care cosmetics like Anti-aging Skin Care cosmetics, Sun Tanning & Sunscreens and so on.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/sun-protection-the-first-step-to-effective-skin-care-1297037.html

categories: Skin Care