Natural, Organic Sensitive Skin Care

Many people say they have sensitive skin because:

• Certain skin care products, or household products that contact their skin, cause stinging, burning, redness, and/or tightness.
• Although they have no visible effects after contact with a product, it always makes their skin feel uncomfortable.
  

  Beautiful Skin

Dermatologists, doctors specializing in skin, consider the diagnosis of sensitive skin when they:

• See skin reactions such as pustules, skin bumps, and/or skin erosion.
• Observe excessively dry skin, which doesn’t adequately protect nerve endings on the skin and may lead to skin reactions from cosmetics or skin care products.
• Notice a tendency to blushing and skin flushing, which may also be signs of sensitive skin.

If you have purchased manufactured skin care products or facial masques (masks), then you have probably used chemical products designed to mimic natural ingredients. These chemical products are sometimes harsh and can do as much harm to delicate skin as they do good. Sometimes it is more beneficial for your complexion to use a facial product using fresh, natural ingredients whenever possible.

All skin types benefit from exfoliation (removal of dead skin cells), and moisturizing ingredients. Some skin care products are designed to specifically exfoliate and moisturize and can be used by all skin types. others are best for those with sensitive skin.

Healthy Diet for Skin

Herbs, fruits, dry fruits and some vegetables are generally used to make natural facial products.  At times, certain cereals might also be used to prepare them. Since natural products are free of chemicals, you don’t have to worry about the side effects as well. Moreover, on using them, your face will radiate a natural glow that can, perhaps, not be seen when you use the shop-bought beauty products.

Specific guidelines are lacking, but most “skin-friendly” products contain:

• Only a few ingredients
• Little or no fragrance
• Methyl paraben or butyl paraben preservatives

If you have sensitive skin, avoid products containing:

• Antibacterial or botanical ingredient
• Skin-penetrating solvents such as ethanol and propylene glycol; opt for nonpenetrating ingredients such as polyethylene glycol

Sensitive skin tends to be thin and delicate with fine pores. It flushes easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently allergic and can easily break out in a rash. There are many degrees of “sensitivity” in the skin, from very sensitive to slightly sensitive. Pay attention and  identify and determine the resistance of your own skin.

Many people have sensitive skin today due to the overload of chemicals found in most store-bought products. Sensitive skin can be temperamental and does not take well to harsh treatments. It reacts to many environmental factors in an aggressive way, it gets red, swollen or itches because of exposure to the sun, wind, too cold or too warm water, alkaline water and many others. It may react easily to many ingredients in cosmetics, and in extreme cases, to even substances around the house. Some of the reaction of sensitive skin can be confused with some skin conditions such as: rosacea, eczema or sun damage. So you should consult a skin professional if you think your skin is temperamental.

If you have sensitive skin, never fear, with proper care, you can help your skin to find the right balance and look great for many years. First, your skin needs to be clean. Use a very gentle product twice a day, followed by a light toner. Your toner should be alcohol-free. You need to use a rich, but water-based
moisturizer. Avoid greasy products, lanoline, mineral oil, and other ingredients that may block your pores and cause black heads or pimples.

Although your sensitive skin is delicate, you may still use hydrating masks and a very gentle exfoliant once a week. Avoid steam during facials, and in general, avoid drastic temperature changes. Hot baths, saunas and steams may cause broken capillaries in your skin.

If you get professional facials, always tell your esthetician before starting that you have sensitive skin. She may not be able to extract as much as needed, but it is better than irritating your skin. Facial massages are good for you, because it stimulates circulation and relaxes the muscles. Be sure to have facials in a reputable day spa or medical spa where hygiene is paramount. If you have extremely sensitive skin, you should visit a dermatologist.

Natural Skin Care

It is important to drink water to keep your system clean and hydrated. You need to pay attention to your diet to help your skin find the right balance. Try to eat fresh foods rich in nutrients. Some supplement of Omega-3 may benefit your skin. You can also consume this oil in flax seeds or salmon; among others. Choose butter over margarine and a little of butter or olive oil is good for your skin.

The objective of using a mask is to protect, soothe and combat inflammation and irritation on the skin. Sensitive skin needs very refreshing and calming ingredients that will not shock or irritate it. At home you may use Aloe Vera with a couple of drops of blue chamomile essential oil. To calm your skin, use natural products that contain calming ingredients like chamomile, oatmeal, cornflower, milk and licorice.

Organic & Natural Skin Care to Prevent Premature Aging

Aging is a normal process of life and the evidence of aging shows on our skin. As we age skin begins to thin, dry and dull due to slow cell turn over. New skin cells do not grow as quickly, resulting in thinning skin. As a result, dead skin cells shed less quickly making the appearance of the skin dull and dry. Collagen and elastin-the system of fibers that make skin firm and elastic-begin to break down, resulting in sagging and wrinkles. Pigmentation is more prominent as we age when melanocytes, (which produce skin pigment) begin to produce irregularly. Research has shown there are two different factors in aging; intrinsic or internal and extrinsic or external.

Natural Facial Skin Care

Intrinsic aging, the natural course of aging, has to do with genes and inheritance. Natural aging begins at birth; however, signs of aging begin to appear on the skin in our mid 20’s. Intrinsic aging includes slower cell turn over, and less collagen production. Elastin begins to break down which acts like a rubber band enabling our skin to stretch and snap back. Visible signs of intrinsic skin aging include fine lines, loss of suppleness, dry and thin skin.

Extrinsic aging are the external factors that age the skin. These include sun exposure, health, diet, gravity, sleeping positions, smoking, drinking and even facial expressions. External factors cause premature aging to the skin and can become visible rather quickly.

While intrinsic factors are mostly uncontrollable, fortunately, extrinsic aging is controllable. Skin aging is a normal process however, premature aging of the skin can be prevented. A healthy lifestyle, yearly physical exams and topical care of the skin can prevent premature aging. A healthy, active life style will create healthy, strong skin from the outside in, preventing premature aging. Physical exams may catch early signs of skin damage that then can be treated. Topical skin care allows the skin to absorb ingredients through natural topical products that aid in building the epidermis and dermal layers of skin, the skin that is and will become visible. The best topical skin care includes organic or natural skin care products such as cleansers, moisturizers, serums and sunscreens.

Cleansing and toning

To prevent premature aging is to treat your skin as one of a kind. There are many different skin types, meaning what one person is doing to take care of their skin is not necessarily what you need to be doing to treat your skin. However, the most important products to aid in preventing premature aging are natural cleansers, exfoliates, natural intense moisturizers with hydrators and organic sunscreens. Cleansers will cleanse the skin clearing excess oil, dirt and debris. Exfoliates will slough off dead skin, deep clean pores and result in smoother more even skin tone. Natural and organic Moisturizers with hydrators will keep the skin supple and moist, while sunscreen will help to protect the skin from sun damage. It is also important to consider skin care products that include natural essential oils and antioxidants to help fight off free radicals that can further damage skin cells. Zinc is a great natural, organic sun screen that blocks the sun rays rather than absorb them like a chemical treatment. Always consult a dermatologist before starting any skin care routine.

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.

What to know about skin care products

For you as a consumer in the billion-dollar skin care industry, lack of information about products is costly, and you have to bridge the gap between. Without accurate information, you are throwing your money away, because you are completely at the mercy of advertisers and marketers. Knowing more specific information about your skin needs, such as your true skin type, you can take control of your skin.

In 2001, the average American owned about five hundred dollars’ worth of cosmetic products, and this amount has surely risen dramatically as more and more expensive product lines have been developed since that time. Do you really need to spend that much to get quality skin care? No. What truly matters is not your skin cream’s price, but whether it’s right for your Skin Type. No matter how glamorous its packaging or delicious its feel, that four-hundred-dollar cream is not right for everyone. (In fact, some types don’t need to use any skin cream at all.)

Proper information – not hype - will save you the expense, trouble, and waste of buying the wrong products-while directing you to the right ones. Ingredients are the only thing that should drive your purchasing decisions and once you’ve learned what all the jargon and 14-syllable words mean, you too will be better able to read a cosmetic label and figure out if it’s appropriate for you.
Again, products should be chosen based on their ingredients first, manufacturing practices, and formulations.

Also try to research the clinical trial data of the products, when available, to choose wisely those that have proven effective. Leading dermatologists recommend following these criteria before buying any skin care:
Make sure the product…

1. Contains the right ingredients for your skin type
2. Contains sufficient amounts of active ingredients to be effective
3. Do not contain counterproductive ingredients
4. Are formulated effectively for your needs
5. Are packaged to maintain stability of the active ingredients
6. Are cosmetically elegant (smell good and feel good)
7. Are approved from those who’ve used them
8. Are easily available for purchase