Factors that can Influence Your Skin Type

Normal skin type

Normal skin is smooth, finely-textured, soft and supple. If you are lucky enough to possess this skin type, treasure it by using light cleansers and lotions and mild toners and fresheners.

Dry skin type

Dry skin is usually thin and delicate and often flaky and prone to fine lines. It sometimes feels tighter than it should. Extremely rich and greasy creams are not good for it because they strangulate the pores, often enlarging them and so creating an extra problem. Use light oils and lotions for moisturising and choose herbal toners, which are mild and not too astringent. Try to restore the pH or acid-alkali balance with the application of such things as cucumber juice or diluted vinegar so that the sebaceous glands are encouraged to function.

Generally speaking, the emollient and hydrating herbs (chamomile, comfrey, cowslip, elderflower, fennel, marshmallow, orange blossom, rose, violet) are the best to use in lotions and toners for dry skin. But there is no hard and fast rule. Astringent herbs can be good for dry skins, for example, if blended with emollient herbs or oils and gels, and many herbs are suitable for all skin types. If the skin is sensitive as well as dry, see the notes on sensitive skin below.

Oily skin type

Oily skin is shiny and coarser-textured, often with enlarged pores. It is prone to blackheads and spots. Don’t use alcohol to reduce the oiliness of the skin, as it will only worsen the problem. Many herbal toners are suitable for reducing oiliness and tightening the pores (see list of suitable herbs below). Egg-white makes a nice mild face-mask. Don’t over dry the skin; moisturise with a light lotion. Aim to restore your skin’s acid-alkali balance so that the sebaceous glands cease to produce such large amounts of oil.

Astringent and cleansing herbs are generally the best to choose when treating an oily skin. These are: cinquefoil, clary sage, comfrey, cucumber, dandelion, horsetail, houseleek, hyssop, lavender, lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon verbena, marigold, mint, parsley, sage, witch hazel and yarrow. But don’t forget that many herbs are suited to all skin types and that many of the strengthening and anti-inflammatory herbs (chamomile, cowslip, fennel, lettuce, elderflower, orange blossom, rose, violet) are suitable for oily skins.

Combination skin types

The person with this skin type will have to follow two beauty routines, one for the dry areas, and another for the oily. I think the oily areas balance up more easily in this type of skin than when the whole face is oily, so don’t despair.

Sensitive skin type

This skin is usually fine-textured and often prone to reddish veins and patches. Keep to light oils and lotions for cleansing and moisturising, and mild herbal toners and compresses to soothe the skin and reduce redness and veins. It is usually wise for people with sensitive skins to stay away from the stimulating herbs (lavender, lime flower, mint, nettle, sage, southernwood, summer savory, thyme).

Dull skin

Dull skin has lost the bloom of vitality and the soft glow of renewal. It looks matt and lifeless. Its acid balance has slipped. If it is oily or large-pored skin use diluted cider vinegar or lemon juice, or cucumber juice to balance it. If it is dry skin, use buttermilk or cucumber juice.

Mature skin type

Older skin can be toned and softened and restored to much of its former beauty. The skin is a wonderfully regenerating organ, given encouragement. Use a light hand with makeup if you must use it, as this dries and ages the skin.

Other Factors that can influence you skin

The foundation of a healthy beautiful skin is diet. Are you getting sufficient polyunsaturated fats? These are essential to a healthy skin and do not cause facial oiliness. They are found in cereal grains, nuts and cold pressed nut and vegetable oils.

Plenty of vitamin C is fundamental to a beautiful skin, because it builds collagen and elastin, the bonding and structural substances which give tone and resilience. There is no need to resort to tablets. Eat bean sprouts, green and red peppers, black currants, oranges and lemons. Then there are guavas and rosehips, so your diet need not be restricted or dull. There is infinite variety to suit every palate.

Lack of vitamin A can cause dryness of the skin. Eat dandelion, parsley, watercress, carrots, pumpkins, celeriac.

If your skin is unbalanced, either flaky or too oily, or if your lips peel, then check your intake of vitamin B foods. Oats, years, bran, goat’s milk, whole rice, sunflower seeds, sprouted seeds and grains are some of the sources.

About The Author

Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.

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Skin Care the Natural Way

As the old saying goes, “you are what you eat.” However, in terms of natural skin care diet is a great place to start, but by no means does good skin care stop there. When it comes to natural skin care it is not only about what you eat but also how you care for yourself. Healthy, glowing skin is a visible indication of good physical health and a balanced diet. Conversely, problem skin is often an outward indication of an inner imbalance or poor nutritional habits. If you are looking to improve your skin’s tone and appearance try the following tips to help you look and feel your best.

Adopt a can-do attitude

Your attitude shapes your experience. If you move through the world constantly fraught with worry and anxiety your health and appearance will be negatively impacted with time. Make a concerted effort to avoid frowning, and smile often. Studies show that simply smiling can help turn a sour mood around.

Care for your skin from the inside out

Small changes such as ingesting the recommended daily allowance of fiber and water can help to keep your skin fresh and supple. You can be assured of getting the proper amount of fiber in your diet by including at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. One serving is comprised of a medium apple, a half-cup of spinach or a cup of tomato juice. You can also get your servings in by including lettuce and tomato on sandwiches, substituting or adding carrot sticks to your lunch, or switching to brown instead of white rice. Flaxseed, nuts and beans are all excellent sources of fiber and can be easily incorporated into any diet. It is also a good idea to avoid nicotine, excessive sugar, alcohol, fried and processed foods as these contribute to problem skin. Keep a bottle or glass of water on hand at all times and aim to drink at least half your weight in ounces each day. For example, if you weigh 120lbs, try to take in at least 60 ounces of water each day. There are a number of foods, such as lettuce and certain fruits, with high water content that you can use to help boost your water intake. Water baths your cells and helps to eliminate toxins; it also keeps you hydrated from the inside. The result; beautiful, healthy skin.

Exfoliate and move

Your skin is a living organ; in fact, it is the largest elimination organ of the body. You can help facilitate this process with exfoliation and exercise. With exfoliation, dry, rough and dead skin cells are eliminated from the top layer of your skin revealing the glowing skin underneath. Exfoliation becomes more important with aging as the process of generating new skin cells slows, thus causing a dull complexion. There are a number of commercially available products that exfoliate. These include various scrubs with microbeads, sugar, salt and crushed walnut shells. You might also try using cloths specially designed for this purpose, or making your own preparation. Be careful to test any products for sensitivity before applying to the skin. Also, be sure to avoid using these products in sensitive areas such as around the eyes.

Exercise is also an important component of natural skin care. In addition to cardiovascular and respiratory benefits, both important for skin health, exercise helps the body release toxins through the skin with perspiration. Aim to get at least thirty minutes of exercise at least three times each week. Whatever activity you choose should take you within 50-70% of your target heart rate for best results.

Moisturize and protect against the elements

Just as it is important to care for skin from the inside out it is also important to employ some skin care tips from the outside in. Most importantly, keep your face clean and dry. Wash your face with a mild, non-irritating cleanser at least twice daily and after exercise. Avoid using water that is too hot as it can dry your skin, robbing it of its healthy glow. Apply a toner with light, upward strokes. Finally, apply a moisturizer that includes sunscreen in summer and winter when the rays of the sun can also be damaging. For best results apply moisturizer to still damp skin to create the most effective moisture barrier. In addition to sunscreen, you may want to consider a hat if you have particularly sensitive or fair skin.

Rest well

The average adult needs 7-9 hours sleep each evening; however, most get significantly less. You can improve your skin’s health and appearance simply by getting a good night’s sleep. If worries keep you awake try creating a to-do list or a journal to ease your mind. You should also avoid upsetting activities, such as drinking alcohol, heavy exercise or watching the news, within several hours of bedtime as these can disturb restful sleep.

We all want to look and feel our best and good skin care is a significant contributing factor. Maintain your skin with a sensible diet, exercise, rest and a can-do attitude.

Adam Short is freelance writer and creator of http://www.fixoilyskin.info - a site providing the latest tips and resources on skin care.

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Tips on Choosing the Best Skin Care Product for You

Your face is the first thing that people notice when they meet you. So, it is no wonder that skin care is big business! Millions are spent each year to treat acne, under eye circles, wrinkles, discolorations, and a variety of other ailments. If you are in the market for a skin care line, there are a few things that you should consider before settling on a product. First you need to look at the type of ingredients the product contains, and then find out what works best for your particular skin type. So, get ready to put your best face forward!

A good skin care product is only as good as its ingredients. Make sure to read the label before you buy. If you are unable to pronounce anything on the bottle, move on to something else. The best skin care products are made with natural ingredients. Look for a formula with Aloe Vera and vitamin E for a great complexion. You want a skin care line that keeps you looking your best, while feeling great on your skin. Cleansers and creams shouldn’t burn or sting. Depending on your skin type, you may find that formulas that contain alcohol can actually aggravate your problem. So do your homework beforehand. If you have a specific problem like acne or sun damage, you will want to find a skin care line that focuses on your problem areas. Benzyl peroxide has been known to work wonders on acne, while alpha-hydroxy helps improve the appearance of wrinkles or sun damage.

If you have dry skin, you will want to find a formula that helps replenish the moisture in your face. Products made with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E are particularly good at this. Look for skin care lines that come in a cream or a lotion form. A good humidifier used at night may also help improve your complexion. Always remember that excess washing can actually dry your face out further, so limit your washings to once or twice a day.

If you are plagued by oily skin, you may find that acne is a major problem for you. Here again excess washing can aggravate the problem, so limit washings to once or twice a day. Follow up your skin care routine with a quality astringent or toner. This will help control the amount of oil on your face, and reduce the number of breakouts.

Combination skin can be a tricky situation. You have patches of dry skin as well as oilier regions. Look for a formula that is specifically designed for your type of skin. Oil absorbing masks applied to the T-zone (your forehead, nose, and chin) once a week will help control oil and breakouts.

No matter what type of skin you have, you should have no trouble finding a skin care line to suite your needs. The key is to understand what different ingredients do. Research anything that you don’t understand- and don’t be fooled into thinking that a product has to be expensive to work. Some of the best products on the market cost less than $10 dollars a bottle!

Ellen Kennedy is a freelance health writer and contributing author to http://www.fixoilyskin.info - a site that provides free skin care information and tips.

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