Aging Treatments with Goodness of Nature

Premature aging is one such skin challenge which is faced by individuals at certain point of time. Individuals, especially women take a number of anti aging treatments to make their skin look young and glowing. So, special herbal treatments have been developed to resolve issue of aging. This process gains momentum over time because with increased age, the skin tends to loose its moisture and becomes inelastic.

One of the main factors that cause aging is dryness. A dry skin is more prone to aging process than a normal skin as the skin is not able to adapt to different climatic changes in its dried form. Other reason is too much exposure to sun. Although, sun provides essential nutrients that are important for building skin cells but prolong exposure in mid noon causes skin to be tanned and inelastic. This is because at this time harshness of ultra violet rays is the most that leads to open pores, black spots, blemishes, wrinkles and lines.

This skin condition can be rectified by using numerous herbal anti aging products available in market. Such treatments make use of natural facial masks and cleansers to get rid of tanning and other toxic substances from skin. Such products are totally safe as they have been made with natural ingredients and herbs. They are completely safe to use as they do not involve any kind of side effects. Varied products are available according to diverse skin types. You can even prepare herbal facial cleansers and masks at home to attain desired results.

All such products are prepared with the goodness of natural herbs. They provide wonderful anti aging benefits that are difficult to attain otherwise. You can make a selection among wide assortments of such products to select a product according to your skin type to have a sparkling and glowing skin forever.

Total Freedom from Aging Problems with Natural Products

Aging brings lot of unwanted elements like blemishes, lines, black spots and wrinkles. These things appear prominently on face which can be quite upsetting at times. However, a permanent solution to all such problems has emerged in the form of herbal facial masks. These herbal masks are inclusive of various kinds of natural herbs and organic ingredients. All these natural products are very effective and so there usage has increased tremendously.

A number of anti aging masks is obtainable from market that may contain varied ingredients. They have been specifically designed for all skin types. So, it is vital to select one according to your skin type to ensure desired results. Skin types are normally classified in three different categories such as dry skin, oily skin and normal skin. Although, aging problems are similar to all but there treatment is different due to varied skin textures. An oily skin needs herbal anti-aging treatments composed of herbs with astringent properties, drying and anti bacterial properties.

This is not same for dry skin. Herbal anti aging products for dry skin must be moisture based so that the lost skin elasticity can be regained. Usually, anti acne herbs with moisture based ingredients are used for curing aging problems of all kinds. Last skin type is the combination of oily and dry skin which requires great care. Such individuals face more severe problems which can be treated only with natural herbs. So, if you have a combination skin type, you must choose wisely in order to gain long lasting skin related benefits.

Herbal Anti-Aging products are free from all kinds of chemicals and so are safe to use. They are prepared with essential herbs derived from nature for effective skin care. So, if you are looking for a perfect and natural way to get rid of all kinds of aging problems then the best way is to go for natural aging facial masks and treatments.

Get a Wrinkle-free Skin Using Anti-aging Masks

Are you often worried about those lines, creases and furrows under your eyes? Well, this is primarily due to the natural and inevitable process of aging. Sure, you cannot do much about the skin aging but you can definitely take some preventive measures in order to delay the signs of aging. Besides the natural phenomenon, there are various other causes as well that are apparently responsible for the premature aging of the skin. These may include increased exposure to harmful UV radiations of sun, mounting stress levels and environmental pollution.

There is however no need for you to panic. In order to cater to these skin aging problems, the market provides various anti-aging skin care solutions that are quite effective in ensuring the suppleness and thickness of your skin. Homemade anti-aging masks are extremely beneficial for natural invigorating nourishment of your skin. Different fruits and milk-based anti-aging masks can be prepared using the natural ingredients that are quite effective in making your skin healthy and beautiful. Lemon juice, honey, yogurt, rose water, orange juice, peach extracts, almond oil, milk and lavender oil can be used to prepare you own anti-aging mask treatment.

Herbal anti-aging masks are also great that tend to be suitable for all skin types. These facial masks are prepared using plant-based ingredients that tend to ensure natural skin care. Anti-aging clay masks are quite effective that renders oil-free skin and unclog the pores. These natural anti-aging masks help you to get rid of your blackheads and provide various minerals and vitamins thereby ensuring complete rejuvenation of your skin. Moreover these facial masks ensure to get back the lost luster thereby providing you a beautiful and glowing skin.

Anti-aging facial masks are a great way to get of wrinkles and other skin-related problems that tend to bother you. However, regular cleansing followed by toning and moisturizing of the skin would ensure your skin to be healthy and well nourished.

Facial Masks To Defy Aging!

The anti aging industry is booming! The credit for this flourishing industry goes to all those people out there who want to defy aging. Almost every elderly seems to have been bitten by the anti aging bug. Everybody seems to have taken the challenge to fight aging.

There is not one formula for anti aging. There are countless such formulas that are floating around in the market. Application of anti aging facial masks is a promising way to delay aging. Anti aging facial masks may work on two principles. Either they work on drooping skin to make it look taut or they focus primarily on age lines.

Anti aging facial masks are readily available in the stores. Before buying you must take the pains to go through the constituents of the mask. Keep away from masks or for that matter any anti aging formula that contains alcohol, parabens, propylene glycol and mineral oil. All of them are supposed to cause skin cancers. Omega 3 fatty acids, on the contrary are effective in battling aging.

Anti aging facial masks can be made at home with ease. Peach especially is known to defy aging. There are various other items available in every home that can be used to fight the signs of aging.

For those who do not want the ugly signs of aging to show up soon, there are a couple of points to be borne in mind. Sunlight is essential for the body. Excessive exposure to sun however, may cause pigmentation. It is also held that excessive exposure to sunlight causes wrinkles around the eyes. So it is important that you wear sun-shades whenever you go out in the sun. Also, you must always wear a sunscreen to protect your sun exposed skin. Sleeping upside down may also cause wrinkles. So, check on your sleeping posture.

Battling The Signs Of Aging With Facial Masks

There must be a multitude of things lying around you and you might not be even aware of their peculiar anti-aging qualities! Take for instance, pomegranate it has an unbelievable quality to considerably reduce the signs of aging. Likewise strawberries are very helpful in delaying aging when applied as a facial mask. Banana is another extremely useful naturally available item to battle aging. All the above mentioned fruits are a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants. Citrus fruits, as well are packed to the core to fight aging. Anti-aging facial masks may be applied not only when the wrinkles have already developed but even before the most insignificant appearance of lines. When an anti-aging mask is applied well before the apparent visibility of the signs of aging, aging is considerably delayed and a person appears to be more youthful. Also, it is way easier to apply an anti-aging mask and otherwise devote considerable time for skincare rather than having to undergo a surgery or get a Botox done later!

There are a many more of these which are easily available in every house like tomatoes, papaya, watermelon, potato, raspberry, kiwi, etc. The only thing you need to do is identify as to which products can work for you and in what way. Also these days it is almost impossible to trust beauty products. With such an array of anti-aging products overflowing in the market all over the world, a person may actually go crazy as to which one to finally go in for!

Homemade anti-aging facial masks are always safe and nothing can beat them. They are easy to get, cheap and really very effective! There are many herbal facial masks available out there as well and people who have used them swear on the effectiveness of these herbal anti-aging facial masks.

Pomegranate Extracts Reduce Signs of Aging

With so many products and labels on the self claiming to work miracles on the skin how do you know what product to use? The best way is to choose products that have carefully selected ingredients formulated for your skin type. One popular ingredient that is being used in many skin care products and is beneficial for all skin types, is pomegranate extract. Pomegranate extract is an important ingredient in tackling many skin care problems and protecting against harmful environmental damage.

Pomegranates are one of the oldest cultivated fruits, are rich in antioxidants and are healthy for the body and skin. Pomegranate extract has been suggested by the American Association for Cancer Research to have significant benefits in reducing risk of the most common of cancers, skin cancer. Pomegranate extract aids in sun protection by up to 20% when added to sunscreen, thus giving the skin more protection from harmful UV rays.

Pomegranate extract is also being used in anti aging skin treatments due to the fruit’s abundant level of vitamins and antioxidants. Pomegranate fruit is rich in Vitamin B and C which reduce the signs of aging by promoting new cell turnover. Skin cell regeneration protects against photo aging, making it an excellent choice for those with aging skin. Antioxidants fight against environmental damage that can cause premature aging. Pomegranates have recently been found to have three times the amount of powerful anti oxidants than green tea. Pomegranate is more stable in skincare products when compared to other ingredients that are rich in anti oxidants. When used in skincare products, pomegranate extract assists with skin repair, protects against free radical damage, boosts the SPF, encourages collagen production and evens skin tone.

By nature, products containing pomegranate are moisturizing and nourishing, and are perfect for aging skin, dryness or skin irritation. Topical skincare products containing pomegranate oils or extracts are generally safe for everyone and can even be used to treat individuals with conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Pomegranate fruit extract can be used in creams, serums, facial cleanser, soaps and sunscreens.

According to a study carried out at the University of Michigan Medical School, “Aqueous fractions prepared from pomegranate peel, fermented juice and lipophilic fractions of the pomegranate were examined for effects on human epidermal keratinocyte and dermal fibroblast function. Pomegranate seed oil, but not aqueous extracts of fermented juice, peel or seed cake, was shown to stimulate keratinocyte proliferation in a mono-layer culture. In parallel, a mild thickening of the epidermis was observed but without effect on fibroblast function. In contrast, pomegranate peel extract stimulated type I procollagen synthesis and inhibited matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs can break down skin proteins) production by dermal fibroblasts, but had no growth-supporting effect on keratinocytes. These results indicate the potential of pomegranate fractions in facilitating skin repair by promoting regeneration of the dermis and epidermis.” (1)

What this means in layman’s terms is, that certain pomegranate seed oils were shown to have measurable effect on skin texture and cellular repair.

In this light, you can look forward to more skincare adding pomegranate to their arsenal anti-aging ingredients, based on its clinically proven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties.

1. Aslam, MN, Lansky EP, et al. “Pomegranate as a cosmeceutical source: pomegranate fractions promote proliferation and procollagen synethsis and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-1 production in human skin cells, J Ethnopharmacol. 20,103(3): 311-318, 2006.

Anti-Aging Benefits of Green Tea

What is Tea?

Tea is the common name for the Camellia sinensis plant. It is the agricultural product of the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes (the portion of a plant stem between nodes) of the plant that are prepared and cured by various methods. “Tea” also refers to the aromatic beverage prepared from the cured leaves by combination with hot or boiling water.

Tea is known for its stimulant qualities largely attributed to caffeine. Today, herbal teas are known to have many health benefits, preventing a variety of conditions, from heart disease and cancer, to gum disease, skin aging and weight loss. The major types of tea include black, green, oolong and white, differing by the method of harvesting and processing.

The beneficial properties of tea are attributed to polyphenols. The polyphenols found in tea mainly belong to the subtype called catechins. Polyphenols or catechins are better known as antioxidants that fight free radicals. Free radicals are damaging to skin and body by attacking healthy cells. Green tea has more catechins than black tea; white tea is almost as rich in catechins as green tea but is different in composition and less well studied.

So How Is Green Tea Good For My Skin?

There have been number studies of skin benefits of green tea. One of these studies show protection from skin cancer by demonstrating topical green tea formulations can reduce sun damage.(1) Another fascinating study in 2003 was conducted by Dr. Stephen Hsu of the Medical College of Georgia Department of Oral Biology. His findings determined green tea was able to rejuvenate old skin cells at the end of their life cycle.

A quote from Dr. Hsu’s paper explained, “…we report here for the first time, that at certain concentrations, EGCG or a mixture of the major green tea polyphenols stimulated aged keratinocytes to generate biological energy and to synthesize DNA, possibly for renewed cell division.

Therefore, green tea constituents may be useful topically for promoting skin regeneration, wound healing, or treatment of certain epithelial conditions such as aphthous ulcers, psoriasis, rosacea, and actinic keratoses.” (2) Dr. Hsu went on to comment he was “so surprised” to discover EGCG actually reactivated cells that had migrated toward the surface of the skin to ‘die’.

Green tea appears to manipulate sun damage protection by fighting free radicals and reducing inflammation rather than by blocking UV rays. Therefore, green tea enhances sun protection when used in addition to a sunscreen. To boost sun protection, apply a green tea formula under your sunscreen to elevate the level of sun protection. It is best to combine green tea with zinc oxide-based sunscreens because zinc oxide is chemically inert and should not react with green tea (which some chemical sunscreens might do, especially in sunlight). You can also look for green tea in natural soaps, and other facial cleansers.

Topical green tea is also very beneficial for sensitive skin types by reducing inflammation and irritation in the skin. Wrinkles, skin sag and other signs of aging have been shown to benefit from Green tea. The tea’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenols slow down signs of premature of aging

Use green tea at home to boost your skins health, appearance and reduce signs of aging by freezing freshly brewed green tea as ice cubes and use them as a toner. Let them start thawing first before applying directly to the face to avoid irritation. You can also drink green tea or take green tea extract in capsules to benefit from the anti oxidant properties. The polyphenols will reach your skin via the bloodstream in sufficient amounts.

Using green tea in your skincare routine has definite proven benefits to slow skin aging, reduce acne and protect your skin from cancer among many others. Just be aware of the products you choose. Like most antioxidants, green tea polyphenols are oxidized and can lose their active constituents when exposed to air.

By Tiffany Oney and Rachelle Dupree

References:

(1) Green Tea Polyphenol Treatment to Human Skin Prevents Formation of Ultraviolet Light B-induced Pyrimidine Dimers in DNA (2000). Santosh K. Katiyar, Anaibelith Perez and Hasan Mukhtar. Clinical Cancer Research Vol. 6, 3864-3869, October 2000.

(2) Green Tea Polyphenols Induce Differentiation and Proliferation in Epidermal Keratinocytes (2003). Stephen Hsu, Wendy B. Bollag, Jill Lewis, Qin Huang,Baldev Singh, Mohamed Sharawy, Tetsuya Yamamoto, and George Schuster. Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics. First published on March 27, 2003; DOI: 10.1124/jpet.103.049734

Sun Protection to Prevent Premature Aging

Zinc Sun Care and Summer Skin

Summer is rapidly approaching and it is time to once again stock up on sunscreens and hats. Sunrays can have a detrimental effect on the skin, so it is very important to protect the skin from too much sun exposure. Sun damage to the skin can show up almost immediately and will also appear over time. Different sunrays have different effects on the skin. A great way to remember the difference is by the letter A or B. UVA rays or ‘aging rays’ cause wrinkles, pigmentation and cancer. UVB rays or ‘burning rays’ are the rays that cause a tan and sunburn. These rays also age the skin but do not penetrate as deep as UVA rays.

To protect the skin from harmful sun exposure it is important to use a sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection. These sunscreens are commonly known as dual spectrum sunscreens. It is also important to check for ingredients that absorb and block sunrays. Ingredients such as oxybenzo absorb sunrays while zinc oxide actually blocks the rays. It is also important to look for sunscreens that are non comedogenic and non acnegenic which means that the sunscreen will not clog pores or promote acne. A SPF or sun protection factor of 15 or higher is recommended. A generous application is needed in order to attain protection; most people do not apply sunscreen liberally enough.

The SPF indicates how long you can be exposed to the sun before burning. For example, if your skin will burn within 10 minutes of sun exposure with no sun protection you can be exposed to the sun for 150 minutes with a sun protection factor of 15 before burning.

To estimate how long you can be exposed to the sun before burning, multiply the probable time you can be exposed to the sun with no sun protection before burning and multiply it by the SPF on the label of the sunscreen. Multiple applications throughout the day are necessary in order to be protected, and it is recommended to reapply every two hours, as sweating and water activities may rub off the sun screen. Sunscreens do more than just protect skin from burning, so reapplication is necessary to shield the skin from other harmful damage like premature age spots, wrinkles and fine lines.

Regular sunscreen use will protect the skin from burning, premature aging and possible skin cancer. It is important to make sunscreen use as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth. As summer is approaching it is even more important to wear sunscreen as the sunrays are stronger and more harmful during this time of year.

Five Top Ways to Age Gracefully

The biological make-up of our skin begins to show signs of aging as early as our 20s. Age shows not only on our face, neck and chest but all over. There are many ways to care for your skin and prevent premature aging. Following are five ways that you can age gracefully. These are things you can do in your daily life that will dramatically reduce signs of aging.

• Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit. We all know that smoking is bad for us and affects our body negatively. Smoking
  

  smoking causes wrinkles

  contributes to premature aging and many other health problems. The many chemicals in cigarettes influence the skin’s structure and dehydrate the cells, resulting in increased aging.

• Get some sleep. Research has shown that people who sleep regularly seven to eight hours a night are healthier than those who lack sleep or over sleep. Sleeping allows the body to repair cellular damage and recharge. To prevent signs of aging on the face, try sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your stomach or side can damage skin by slowing down circulation and weakening the skin’s elasticity, resulting in wrinkles.

• Sunscreen, use it, wear it, and love it. Wear sunscreen everyday-even on cloudy or rainy days, and even if you are just going to be outside a short time. We all know that the sun has harmful affects to the skin. Sun tanning and burning damage the skin, leading to premature aging. Sun exposure over time leads to wrinkles and ugly pigmentation spots. There is no excuse to not wear sunscreen, it comes in all forms and is formulated now to be lightweight and beneficial to the skin as well as giving sun protection.

• Hydrate and Moisturize the skin from the inside and outside. Hydrated skin is healthy and plump, looks moist and shows few wrinkles and lines. As we age our skin loses elasticity; using moisturizers with ingredients such as vitamins and minerals that help repair the skin is the best way to restore elasticity and prevent its break down. Drink lots of water to hydrate the skin internally and use a good moisturizer. Try intense facial moisturizer or zinc repair by Vivoderm.
• A healthy lifestyle and healthy diet can dramatically strengthen the skin and prevent premature aging. Fruits, vegetables,
  

  healthy diet and skin

  nuts and other nutrient- rich produce give the body strength to fight and repair damage. If you are good to your body from the inside out, you will have less external maintenance. Part of a healthy life style is getting exercise, so get up and get moving. Fit people also tend have less heath problems. Health problems can lead to premature aging of the skin by showing wrinkles and damage earlier than those people who choose to be healthy.

There is no way to prevent aging - it is inevitable, however there are ways to slow it down. Today there is plastic surgery and amazing skin care products to improve the look and feel of skin. But it’s never too late to prevent further damage so you don’t have to take the drastic measures of plastic surgery or spend tons of money on skin care later in life.

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.

Popular Herbs Used in Skin Care and Their Benefits

Popular Herbs Used in Skin Care and Their Benefits: Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Lavender and Rosemary

Today skin care and cosmetics are increasingly going natural. You may have heard that herbs and oils are commonly used in skin care and cosmetics; but, you may not know why or what purpose they serve. why, and what do the do? Four very common and popular herbs that are used in the form of oil or gels are chamomile, Aloe Vera, lavender, and rosemary. All provide unique benefits for the skin and body.

The benefits of chamomile for the skin and body range from calming effects to healing. Recent and on-going research has identified chamomile’s

specific benefits as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-allergenic. Chamomile is most often recognized as an herbal tea; however, chamomile is present in many skin care products. Chamomile’s active ingredients extracted from the flower are essential oils and flavonoids. Essential oils help to calm and relax irritated skin. Essential oils have also been found to be beneficial to treat and sooth acne prone skin. Flavonoids – or plant metabolites- are rich in anti oxidants that help the body repair and heal damaged skin, as well as fight free radicals, which create damage to bodily cells. Chamomile has few side effects and is effective and beneficial to the skin topically or if ingested.

Aloe Vera contains numerous, minerals, vitamin, enzymes, and natural sugars that help with inflammation. Aloe Vera is commonly known for its healing properties, which explains its popular use in skin care. Aloe Vera aids in the healing of skin burns and cuts and moisturizes and softens skin. Aloe Vera is used in skin care products to help with dry sensitive skin as the plant has unique healing and soothing properties. Taken internally, Aloe Vera has been found to regulate digestion, which in turn builds healthy skin from the inside out. Aloe Vera is available as a gel, spray, lotion, juice, cream and in the form of a capsule. Aloe Vera is most commonly found in skin care gels or creams.

Lavender has many uses in skin care that include aiding skin repair, stimulating cell growth, reducing inflammation, preventing scarring and pigmentation, regulating oil production, and reducing pain. Lavender also works as antiseptic or antibacterial agent and is considered an essential oil. Due to its extensive benefits to the skin, lavender is often found in skin care formulated to treat acne prone skin.

Rosemary can be used as an essential oil just like chamomile and lavender. Rosemary and lavender are actually found in the same herbal family.

Rosemary tones the skin, helping to even out skin tone and texture, while reliving dryness. Rosemary strengthens capillaries and is good to use on aging skin. Rosemary is found in skin care cleansers, toners and creams.

There are many other herbs used in skin care and cosmetics today-most in the form of essential oils or extracts- and all can have different or positive effects on the skin and body. Herbs and oils have been used to heal for many centuries and now are being utilized for safe, natural ways to treat skin conditions and maintain a healthy complexion.

by Tiffany Oney

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