RETINOIDS: Anti-aging Vitamin A

Retinoid

Studies have shown that the vitamin A derivatives known as Retinoids (retinoic acid) unplug pores, help clear up acne, reduce fine lines, boost the production of collagen, lighten brown spots and freckles, and improve skin texture.

Before and After Using Retinoid Creams

The retinoids – which have even been shown to help treat precancerous skin lesions -- is sold by prescription only under names that include Renova, Retin-A, and the generic Tretinoin.

A retinoid should be the foundation of any topical antiaging regimen.

Men and women should make a retinoid part of their evening regimen beginning in their 20s.

The downside is that retinoids can initially cause dryness, flaking, and redness.

Dermatologists say that starting out slowly, applying a pea-sized amount of retinoid every second or third night, can help your skin adjust to the powerful ingredient.

Or consider an over-the-counter cream, gel, or serum containing retinol. This nonprescription version of a retinoid works more gradually and gently but is still effective in rejuvenating your skin.

Serum Containing Retinol

Vichy LiftActiv Retional HA

Bombarding your skin with lots of different ingredients can be irritating. What’s more, used in combination, some ingredients will cancel out each other’s benefits.

For example, the acid in salicylic or glycolic acid breaks down ingredients like retinol, hydroquinone, or Vitamin C. More is not necessarily better.

 

The products necessary for beautiful skin aren’t glamorous, and include a simple cleanser, sunscreen, moisturizer, and a retinoid or retinol.

Skin Benefits of Tretinoin (Retinoic acid)

1.  Increased collagen stimulation: Avoiding Wrinkles

Tretinoin directly stimulates collagen formation by inhibiting collagen breakdown.  It increases extracellular collagen formation by 80% in the papillary dermis when used for 1 year!  The clinical effects relate to smoother and softer skin texture with a decrease of fine lines and wrinkles. So, it is one of the best anti-aging cream we can find.

2.  Protection from sun exposure

Tretinoin prevents breakdown of collagen from ultraviolet exposure.  It is still important to sun protect with an effective sunscreen.  

Apply Retinoids at Night and Sunscreen in the Morning

3. Treatment for Acne

Topical retinoid medications are useful for treating blackheads and whiteheads by helping to open clogged pores. Examples of these are tretinoin (brand name Retin-A), adapalene (brand name Differin) and tazarotene (brand name Tazorac).

Before and After Using Tretinoin

4.  Improves Pigmentation

Tretinoin increases cell turnover thereby removing epidermal cells containing pigment (melanin) giving a less pigmented appearance.  This increase of cell turnover also allows better penetration of a topical bleaching agent (hydroquinone) when used in combination.

It is important to remember to clean the face 20-30 minutes before application of tretinoin since application while the face is damp will increase sensitivity.

The third generation retinoic acids are the newest additions, adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac).

Adapalene (Differin) has less retinoid dermatitis than tretinoin, but it works primarily for acne and does not help a lot for photodamaged skin.

 Tazarotene (tazorac) has similar results as tretinoin in that it helps improve wrinkling, pore size, textural irregularities and hyperpigmentation.

So my recommendation is to use a form of retinoic acid at night before you sleep. There are generics available for Retina-A (tretinoin).  Apply a thin layer of tretinoin to your face and neck to help stimulate dermal collagen and help with cell turnover.

From time to time, your skin will peel, in which case, skip one night and reapply the next night.  To some degree you can think of topical retinoids as your own chemical peel.

Home Remedies For a Beautiful Face: DIY Skin Care Products

Home Remedies for a Young Looking Face

A face is the mirror of a personality. People go to extreme lengths to gain that glowing skin and a beautiful face. They spend a lot on cosmetics to try and beautify the face, but if the results are too slow then they change the product or discontinue the treatment.

Try something which is easy to use and will also not result in any side effects. Here are some age old best practices to keep your skin as beautiful as a teenager.

   1) Take the juice of one lemon, 10 ml glycerin and 10 ml rose water—all the three in equal proportions.  Mix all the three constituents and keep it in a glass bottle. Apply this lotion on the face every night before sleeping. This mixture will remove the effects of pollution and stress, and will make your skin smooth and supple. Lemon juice has a property to clean the pores of the skin and that’s why it is especially effective for cleansing and pimple reduction.



          

2) Take three parts carrot, two part tomato and one part beet-- make a juice of the three together. Drinking this juice regularly for 15-20 days can make your skin free of wrinkles, marks, pimples, etc. and makes your skin beautiful. This can be replaced only by carrot juice or orange juice if other materials are not available though the above mixture is much more effective. Carrot juice also helps in acidity and removing stomach worms. Having this juice in the afternoon is best. It is better not to eat anything before and after the juice. You will see a splendid glow on your skin.

3) Mix lemon juice and rose water in equal parts and apply on the face with a circular and gentle motion of the hands. Wash the face with normal water after half an hour. This will help in the removal of pimples and any kind of a mark on the face.

4) Another method of getting rid of the pimples would be to rub the lemon peel on the face and washing the face with warm water. Excellent for oily skin.

Lemon Peel, excellent for getting rid of pimples and blackheads

5) Applying olive oil on the face daily helps you get rid of pimples, blotches, face marks and rashes.

Olive Oil

6) Take 5 very ripe medium size strawberries, 2 teaspoons of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of honey.  Mash the strawberries with a fork. Add cream and honey şnto the mashed strawberries. Apply the mixture over your face and leave it for about 20 minutes. Rinse with water and you're done!

Strawberry Mask

7) Applying 3 teaspoon of yogurt with 1 teaspoon of honey will make your face super soft and smooth.

Yogurt and Honey Mask

Never forget: The nature’s medicines are your best doctors!

MINERAL MAKEUP: Healthy Makeup



MINERAL MAKEUP



Mineral makeup is a new cosmetic trend that emphasizes natural health and being eco-friendly by using organic ingredients. Mineral makeup is mostly made up of natural minerals. It does not contain any chemicals, additives, animal byproducts, talc, oil, synthetic fragrances, and other manufactured skin irritants. Mineral makeup is made by pulverizing sterilized minerals into a fine powder that is mixed with natural pigments to produce various shades.





Synthetic ingredients have a negative impact on the skin causing such problems as acne, blackheads, clogged pores, skin irritations, and dry skin. As well, some artificial colors are known as carcinogens. With natural makeup, there is a significantly reduced risk of allergic reactions and acne break outs. The minerals in the makeup consist of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and iron oxide. Iron oxide gives color to the makeup. Titanium and zinc are a natural anti-inflammatory, and titanium dioxide is a natural sunscreen and provides an SPF of 15 to 20.




 

Most mineral foundations consist of a foundation, concealer, powder and sunscreen. It is great for women with sensitive skin as it provides enhanced skin care. Manufactured make-up tends to be heavy on the face and can cake up on the skin. Organic makeup’s texture is lighter, more natural, and allows your skin to breathe. It is based on a hypoallergenic loose powder that naturally nourishes and protects the skin.

Mineral makeup does not enhance wrinkles like traditional powders. If you have fine lines, wrinkles, or crow’s-feet, the minerals will not accentuate them, but instead, aid in smoothing and covering them up. As well, it is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and ingredients that hydrate the skin and conceal wrinkles. The result is silky, soft, smooth, and healthy skin with a youthful and glowing appearance.





There benefits of wearing organic make over manufactured mass produced makeup are numerous. It does not harm and aggravate the skin with damaging chemicals, oils and chemical additives. As well, it does not obstruct the skin’s pores or create a breeding ground for bacteria, and it protects the skin from damaging UVA rays. It provides the wearer with a natural appearance.



NATURAL APPEARANCE WITH MINERAL MAKEUP





Organic makeup is fast becoming the new choice in beauty care as the ingredients benefit the skin. Most women report that wearing mineral makeup feels like they are not wearing any makeup at all. The minerals benefit the skin as they soothe and alleviate itchy, inflamed, red, bruised, and flaking skin. It also cools the skin and promotes quicker healing time. It will not aggravate your skin even if you sleep while wearing it. As well, it is an affordable way to nourish your skin and get the same quality of skin texture as you would in an expensive spa.

 

For people with sensitive skin or eyes, mineral eye makeup is an excellent option. In some cases people with sensitive skin or allergies have reported reactions to mica or bismuth oxychloride, so always check the labels carefully and either avoid these ingredients or get a sample to test before purchasing.

 

 

 

 

Benefits of mineral makeup

Mineral makeup doesn’t contain any magic ingredient that heals the skin. Its core ingredients, such as mica and titanium dioxide, are used in most makeup. However, it doesn’t have fragrances or binders that may irritate the skin. It may also be beneficial for people who have acne, since titanium oxide has anti-inflammatory properties, and it doesn’t clog pores. Titanium oxide is also used in sunscreen, so it does have some sun protection (but not enough that you don’t need additional sunscreen).

Mineral makeup’s powder formulation also makes it easier for women to choose (or at least mix) shades that approximate their natural skin tone.

 

Disadvantages of mineral makeup

Some people say that the colors can look ashy on darker skin tones. Others complain that it can dry the skin, and may accentuate wrinkles.

Additionally, mineral makeup isn’t something you can apply in the car. You need to pour a bit of the powder from the  lid of the container, and use a kabuki brush or a large fluffy brush to apply.





  

Mineral makeup has transformed the cosmetic industry. It used to be only available at chic spas, but now mineral makeup is available to everyone. In the past few years, mineral makeup has become extremely popular with women of all ages. Wearing mineral makeup will make you look and feel fantastic.

Blackheads: How to Get Rid of Blackheads

Blackheads on the Nose Area

What are blackheads?

A blackhead, or open comedo is a wide opening on the skin with a blackened mass of skin debris covering the opening. Despite their name, some blackheads can be yellowish in color. A comedo is a widened hair follicle which is filled with skin debris (keratin squamae), bacteria and oil (sebum).

A closed comedo is a whitehead, while an open comedo is a blackhead. the plural of "comedo" is comedomes".

Blackheads are said to be the first stage of acne. They form before bacteria invade the pores of the patient's skin. A blackhead can develop into a pimple, which is also known as a papule or pustule.

What causes blackheads?

If the skin is not cleaned properly, more blackheads can appear, especially during those milestones in life when they are more prevalent, such as puberty. Improperly cleaned skin makes it more likely that dead skin cells build up within the pores. The pore openings can become clogged, which accelerates the build up of oil inside - thus causing blackheads to form. However, many experts warn that dirt does not cause blackheads to form - which frequently confuses and frustrates patients. Blackheads are caused by oxidized oil, not dirt. Over-cleaning the skin can lead to irritation.

In some cases, blackheads can emerge if moisturizers, sun screens, make up, or foundations are overused.

In the majority of cases, blackhead susceptibility is not heredity, with the exception of some severe acnes.

How to Get Rid of Blackheads

1) Hormonal treatments - contraceptives have often been used for the treatment of blackheads and acne, often with good results.

2) Cleaning the skin - clean your face with a good cleanser, ideally, one for oily skin, such as a salicylic acid cleanser.

You can give your face a steam to open up pores and next, make sure your hands are clean, then wrap small pieces of tissue around your fingers to protect your skin from your nails. Gently extract the blockage. If it doesn't come out easily, leave it. If you force the blackhead you risk aggravating or inflaming the skin and this might lead to scarring. Not a good plan if you can help it.

3) Medications - adapalene is a third-generation topical retinoid, used mainly in the treatment of mild to moderate acne. Many patients with blackheads have had good results. In the USA adapalene is available under brand name Differin, in three preparations - 0.1% cream, 0.1% gel, and 0.3% gel. Since 2010, it has also been available in the USA under the generic name Teva, (0.1% gel). Only the 0.1% cream and 0.1% gel forms are available in Europe.

4) UV exposure - exposing the skin to sunlight or ultra-violet light encourages it to peel, which helps unblock pores. Sunbathing or using sunbeds may help. However, it is important to discuss this with your doctor. Exposing skin to sunlight, if overdone, also raises the risk of burning and developing skin cancer.

5) Hair - greasy hair touching the face of your skin can spread infection and in some cases encourage the spread of blackheads and acne. Keeping your hair away from your face may help keep blackheads to a minimum.

Natural Homemade Remedies for Blackheads

1) First, you might want to try opening up your pores and letting the dead skin cells and oil come out naturally (Blackheads are caused when oil and dead skin cells get trapped in the pores. When the oxygen hits the sebum oil it turns black). Simply take a bowl of hot or boiling water, and hold your face about a foot away from the bowl (be careful not to put your face too close because you might burn yourself). For it to be more effective, place a towel on your head and allow the steam to seep in your pores and help loosen the debris in them. This softens your skin and makes it a lot easier for you to cleanse your face. Ideally the blackheads should come closer to the surface of the skin during this steam session.

 

2) As a second tip, take half a slice of lemon, squeeze the juice out of it and apply it to your face. Lemon juice is very acidic and its chemical reaction to your skin will decrease oil production. It can also eliminate bacteria that may trigger your blackheads in the first place.

In line with lemon juice, you can also create a paste with baking soda mixed with water. The mixture will assist in controlling the oil on your face and help kill the bacteria. Simply apply the baking soda solution where your blackheads are and let it soak for around 20 minutes. After which, wash all of it off and pat your skin dry.

 

3)One homemade mask is to crush some regular aspirin and then add a small amount of water to make a paste. You then apply the past to the affected area of the face and let the paste dry. Once dry you then gently wash the mask off with warm water. It is said that the natural acids contained in aspirin will soften the blackhead so that when you wash with warm water the blackhead will come out easily. 

4)Another homemade mask is made of equal parts of sugar and honey, you then heat the mixture until it bubbles. Once it bubbles let it cool just enough so that it can be applied to your face. Once you have the mixture applied, cover it with a cloth. Now let the mixture dry, once dry quickly pull the cloth from your face. The mask and blackheads should be removed as you pull the cloth from your face.

5) Aloe vera gel is also effective to remove blackheads.

The list of natural solutions are literally endless. These are a few home remedies to remove blackheads and and restore flawless condition of your skin. 

DIY Face Serums

                                   

• Making your own facial serum is really easy! All you need is a carrier oil (or oils!) and essential oils (or oil!) of your choice. Below are a few skin care/facial serum recipes using the essential oils and carrier oils listed above:
   

NATURAL SKIN CARE RECIPES:

1. Moisturizer for Normal Skin 

Geranium 1 drop  
Lavender 2 drops
   Sweet Almond Oil - 1 Tablespoon

Blend essential oils with Almond oil. Apply to face after cleansing and toning. Use a few drops of this blended mixture as needed. Note: when mixing your essential oils with the carrier oil or lotion, let set for 1 to 2 days so the oils can blend thoroughly.

2. Face Serum for Sensitive Skin

• 2 tbsp Almond oil
• 2 tbsp Jojoba oil
• 5 drops Chamomile essential oil
• 5 drops Rose essential oil

3. Face Serum for Mature Skin

• 2 tbsp Jojoba oil
• 5 drops Rosehip oil
• 5 drops Pomegranate seed oil
• 5 drops Carrot seed oil 

4. Antiaging Eye Serum

• 2 tbsp Wheat Germ oil
• 2 tbsp Grapeseed oil
• 2 tbsp Pomegranate oil
• 2 tbsp Carrot seed oil 

5. Antiwrinkle Moisturizer

• 60% Hazelnut oil/ Sesame Oil 
• 20% Rosehip seed oil
• 10% jojoba oil
• 10%2 Rose essential oil 

       


6. Nourishing face serum 

• 2 tbsp Almond oil/Pumpkin seed oil 
• 2 tbsp Rosehip seed oil
• 5 drops Lavender essential oil
• 5 drops Neroli essential oil

7. Antiaging Face Serum

• 20% Evening Primrose oil 
• 20% Apricot kernel oil
• 60% Avocado oil 

8. Face Serum for Acne

• 2 tbsp Hazelnut oil
• 2 tbsp Rosehip seed oil
• 5 drops Lavender essential oil
• 5 drops Tea Tree essential oil/ Eucalyptus oil 
• 5 drops Geranium essential oil

9. Face Serum for Dry Skin

• 10% Evening Primrose oil 
• 10% Chamomile essential oil
• 20% Jojoba oil
• 60% Avocado oil 

GOLDEN TIPS

Oils are great for the skin. I learned that oil-based serums are actually wonderful for all types of skin, including mature skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, acne prone skin etc.  Face oils & serums are a wonderful way to heal, moisturize and protect your skin!!! 

And one more thing, last but not the least: while storing these oils, keep them in cool, dry and dark places and their bottles should better be in dark colors so that they are affected less by the sunlight!!!

Enjoy your own homemade serums :)))