Daily Skin Care

Your skin is not a part of your body that you can forget about (like an appendix or a kidney), assuming that it will look after itself. It is a high-maintenance part of your body, which is sensitive to the slightest changes in your health, emotions and environment. You binge on chocolates and your face becomes a mass of pimples; you don't get a good night's sleep and dark circles appear under your eyes; you're out in the sun a lot and you get burnt or develop freckles. The list is endless. So let's take a look at skin care regimes for different kinds of skin

Dry skin
Use a rich cream cleanser instead of soap and water. Avoid astringents, as they will further dry your skin. Instead, use a mild skin toner after cleansing your skin. Apply a good moisturizing lotion in the day, before sleeping, before applying make-up and after removing make-up.

Once a week, wash your face with the juice of a melon. You can give yourself a weekly facial by mixing a yolk of an egg with two tablespoons of milk and half a tablespoon of honey. Apply this on your face and leave it on for about fifteen minutes. Then wash with lukewarm water. If you're out in the sun a lot, milk mixed with melted butter helps soften the dry skin.

Lanolin, apple juice, peach juice, sour cream and crushed almonds are also helpful for dry skin

Oily skin
You may not believe it, but oily skin actually has some advantages. As a result of excess lubrication, wrinkles do not form prematurely and skin is not much affected by wind and sunlight. However, oily skin is a magnet for dirt and grime and thus a good and regular cleansing regime is a must. If oily skin is not cleaned thoroughly and regularly, the dirt will clog the pores in the skin and blackheads will appear.

People with oily skin should wash their faces with medicated soap and water. The use of astringents is advised as they have a tightening and drying effect on the skin. Buttermilk or beaten egg whites also have a drying and tightening effect. Parsley juice mixed with honey and a few drops of lemon or ginger is good for an oily skin. This mixture controls the secretion of oil.

Fuller's earth (Multani mitti), oatmeal, almond paste, or lime juice or vinegar mixed with water are excellent cleansers. Steaming opens up the clogged pores and you can push out blackheads and whiteheads and prevent pimples.

Avoid rich fried foods and load up on green vegetables instead. Take two tablespoons of lecithin granules (a by-product of soyabeans) daily.

After washing your face, soak a towel in hot water and press it to your face. Repeat this process two or three times. Next wet the towel in ice-cold water and repeat the process two or three times to close enlarged pores.

Cucumber, parsley, cabbage, tomato, yoghurt and lemon are natural aids for an oily skin.

Combination skin
If you have an oily nose and forehead, but dry cheeks and chin, you will have to treat each area of your face separately depending on whether it is dry or oily.

Skin Care Through Eating Healthy

A healthy glowing complexion is the most important attribute of a natural beauty. Beauty care starts with the skin. The first step, then, would be to take care of what you put on the inside, because it shows up on the outside!

Did you know that scaly skin is a result of fluorine deficiency? Fluorine is the anti-resistant element of the human body, the absence of which creates problems in the blood and spleen. Since cooking and heating foods destroys fluorine, it is better to eat uncooked raw fruits and vegetables. Other foods rich in fluorine are goat milk and cheese, rye flour, avocados, sea plants and cabbage, cream whey and cottage cheese.

Sodium deficiency causes skin to become sticky and makes it wrinkle faster. Cucumbers are ideal for combating and preventing sodium deficiency because they are not only high in sodium, but also help in keeping the body cool, a great summer?s treat.

Skin rashes are the result of silicon deficiency. To avoid pus and rashes, eat plenty of sprouts, alfalfa, barley, tomatoes, spinach, strawberries and figs.

Chlorophyll supplements that are found in wheat grass and other green leafy vegetables are excellent to combat skin eruptions.

Always remember that most skin problems start with the kidneys. So flush out your system with plenty of water and eat foods with high iodine content like carrots, beetroot and leafy vegetables. An ideal way to start your day is with a glass of water with a twist of lime and 1 tsp. honey. Drink at least 10 - 12 glasses of water the rest of the day; it not only improves digestion but also clears out toxins from your body

Quick Herbal Tips For Your Skin

Skin Cleanser
Found in your own kitchen is a simple, chemical free cleanser ? good ol? unboiled milk. All you need to do is dip a piece of cotton wool in milk and wipe your face with it. It also cleans unseen dirt and goes down into your pores. Another fine cleanser is almond oil, especially effective in protecting the delicate skin under the eyes.

Skin Moisturizer:
For normal skin care, you can take 1 cup of yogurt, 1 tablespoon orange juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and mix it into a paste. Apply it on your face as a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then clean it off with a wet tissue watch your complexion glow. For dry skin, you could use a mixture of cooked oatmeal and honey; it will not only help moisturize the skin but also acts as a good cleansing agent.

Skin Nourishment and Bleach:
For nourishing your face try a protein mask. You can prepare this mask by first soaking 1 tablespoon urad dal and 4 almonds in water overnight and then grinding them into a paste. You can then apply this protein mask to your face and wash it off after half an hour. This exceptional protein mask will not only nourish the skin but also bleach it.

Wrinkle Prevention and Softer Skin:
To prevent wrinkles and soften your skin, you could try pure castor oil; it is known to slow down the aging process of the skin.

Skin Conditioner:
Another simple and excellent skin conditioner that can be made out of 1 tbsp. honey blended with 2 tbsp. cream (of milk). Leave it on for a few minutes and wash it off. It works like magic.

Skin Blemishes:
For skin blemishes, you can try rubbing a raw potato on your face.

Sun-Protection Lotion:
It?s summer time. Time to cool off. So let?s wind up with a good home-made sun-protection lotion. Take cucumber juice and equal amounts of glycerine and rose water and make a concoction. This should be refrigerated. Try it, it?s really cool.

Problem: If your face is dry and rough.

Remedy: Take equal amount each of Melon, Pumpkin, Cucumber and Watermelon and make a paste of these. Then blend it with milk cream and apply it on your. After 1 hr rinse your face with plane water.

Problem: Sunburn.

Remedy: Mix 1 teaspoon of Besan with 2 teaspoon of curd and apply it on your face. Let it remain on the face for ½ hrs. Rinse with plane water. Helps in curing sunburns.

Remedy: Mix 1 teaspoon of Besan with 2 teaspoon of curd and apply it on your face. Let it remain on the face for ½ hrs. Rinse with plane water. Helps us during sunburns.

Problem: Excessive hair loss or getting early grey hairs.

Remedy: Soak some methi seeds in night and in the morning make the paste of the seeds and apply it to your scalp. After 1½ - 2 hrs rinse it with plane water. This will strengthen your hair and make them dark and shiny.

Step By Step To The Perfect Pedicure

Do you give your feet the pampering they deserve? Think about it. Our feet have a tough job. We walk around all day in high heels, stand for hours, tread on all sorts of uneven surfaces. And our feet not only have to put up with all this, but they have to do it while supporting our entire body weight! So give your feet a break and inject some tender loving care into their lives. Indulge your feet with the perfect pedicure.

1.Soak your feet in a tub of hot, soapy water.
2.Add salt and essence oils (if you have any).
3.Using a foot file (or a pumice stone or any other scrub), scrub your feet lightly.
4.Remove from tub and wipe your feet with a soft towel
5.Apply a generous amount of cream on your feet till a few inches above the ankles.
6.If you have rose water, keep some in a spray bottle and spray on your feet before starting the pedicure, and a couple of times during the pedicure.
7.Push back your cuticles gently with a cuticle buffer. You can also use this buffer to clean your nails.
8.Clip your toenails. The best way to clip toenails is to go straight across, rounding them off slightly at the ends.
9.Dab a cotton pad with nail polish remover and use it to take off your old polish. Gently press the cotton on your nail, and wipe the polish off, using strokes in the outward direction only.
10.Massage each foot for 5-10 minutes. Concentrate on the heels, and any other dry and cracked areas of the foot.
11.Separate your toes with tiny wedges of cotton, and apply two coats of nail polish. Remember to let the polish dry before applying a second coat.

Smart Ways To Lose Weight

20 tips to help get you through one of life's most oft repeated struggles - the Fight Against Fat.

Aching to lose weight and don't know how to start? You've come to the right place. Here are 20 tips to help get you through one of life's most oft repeated struggles - the Fight Against Fat.

1. Have you tried to give up sugar and haven?t succeeded? Instead of forbidding yourself certain foods - just eat less of them. If you must have sugar in your tea, cut it down from two spoons to one.

2. Ever notice how if you eat when you're ravenous, you tend to overeat? So try eating more regularly, even if it means more frequently. Eat an average of 5 small meals a day, instead of 2 or 3 large ones, where you stuff yourself.

3. Be conscious about what you eat. Keep a food diary and note down everything you eat. You may be shocked at the results.

4. Eat or snack only on the dinner table, not on the couch in front of your television. Once you make a policy out of this, you'll cut down on snacks tremendously. Don't get too comfortable while eating. It?s always better to eat on the go. Always sit straight on the chair.

5. Make rules for yourself. If you experience cravings, give yourself ten minutes before you attack the refrigerator. In most cases, the craving would just die down and you'd walk away.

6. Drink a lot of water. This reduces hunger pangs and gives you more energy.

7. When you decide to finally attack your weight problem, you want it gone by the weekend. But realise that that is just not a realistic approach. If you want it off permanently, you've got to take it slow. It may even take up to a year to get to your desired weight - that's fine, because you've got more of a chance of maintaining it.

8. Join an aerobics class. It's more disciplined and it's always better to work out in a group.

9. Stay busy. Don't just sit around wasting time. Chances are your mind will wander to that delicious chocolate cake? Partake in activities that are not conducive to eating. Join a singing class, take up oil painting or gardening - cultivate a hobby.

10. If you have to snack, try this. Put your hand in the packet of wafers and take out a fistful. Finish off whatever you get your hands on - and that's it.

11. Don't stack up on fattening yummy foods. It?s easiest to control food intake if you just don't have it around. If you feel like chocolate cake, buy a pastry so it doesn't hang out in the refrigerator all week till you polish it off. Similarly, don't keep tubs of ice cream in the freezer. Buy a cup or two and eat it when the mood strikes.

12. When you reach for the refrigerator, stop and question yourself. Are you just bored or are you really hungry? In most of the cases the answer will be the former.

13. Stick little post-it notes on the refrigerator saying, Stop! Or Reach for a glass of water.

14. Buy clothes a size smaller and work towards fitting into them.

15. Don't beat yourself up or lose heart just because you've slipped up a few times. You need to keep a positive outlook and keep encouraging yourself.

16. Visualise how you will look without those extra kilograms.

17. Take up yoga.

18. Find new and different ways to measure how far you've come. Don't just stick to the weighing scale. Scout around in your cupboard and try on old clothes that are big for you ? excellent motivation.

19. Find a partner to work out with or to support you. Enlist the help of a friend and go for activities that don't involve snacking. Take up tennis, go cycling? don't just meet friends over lunch or dinner.

20. Get motivated. No one is going to lose your weight for you. You're going to have to do it all by yourself, and if the motivation doesn't come from within you, no amount of friends and family pushing you to lose weight is going to help.

Beauty Donts For Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is a time to love yourself and be cautious towards your unborn baby. Read on and learn about beauty don'ts for pregnant women.

Avoid hair dye during pregnancy

You want to get a make-over and plan to colour your hair. But hair dyes get absorbed in the scalp and this is a cause for concern. Many researches have shown that few hours later these chemical can be traced in the urine of the pregnant women. Some researches have tried to indicate a link between colouring hair during pregnancy and childhood cancers but there are no strong evidences. Some chemicals can be capable of entering into blood stream once they get absorbed by the body.

Whether these chemicals actually harm the foetus or no is debatable but it is advisable to stay away from hair colours and colouring your hair during pregnancy. You can choose to make use of natural hair dyes such as henna. If you want to colour your hair during pregnancy it is best to proceed after the first 12 weeks. In this period the risk of harm to the foetus by chemicals is the lowest.

Avoid hair straightening or perming

Chemicals found in hair treatments such as ironing, perming or straightening are associated with birth defects in some studies. The chemicals used in these kinds of hair treatments do get absorbed in the bloodstream thus coming in contact with the foetus. Due to changes in hormones your body, it may react differently to the cosmetic treatment. Your hair may turn frizzy after a hair straightening treatment due to interplay of hormones. So avoid these hair treatments when you are pregnant.

Avoid hair removing creams

The secretion of hormones during pregnancy makes skin sensitive to pain. The use of regular hair removal cream may cause rashes or allergy. Waxing your hair may be painful than ever before. It is better to carry a patch test of your hair removal or depilatory cream each time before using it. You may use a razor to get rid of unwanted hair during pregnancy or visit a good spa to get hair removed with proper care. Consider seeking advice of your physician before carrying out any other hair removal treatment such as waxing, electrolysis or laser.

Avoid manicure and the use of artificial nails
Getting artificial nails during pregnancy is not recommended. The chemicals used in the process come in direct contact with body and get absorbed through the skin. The chemicals can cause harm to the foetus. Inhalation of the chemical fumes at the time of manicure or nail extension process can cause potential harm to the unborn baby. It is better to avoid indulging in manicures and pedicures if you are pregnant. instead use a body brush for your feet and scrub your hands with a loofah. Keep your nails clipped for a neat look.

Avoid body massages and sauna bath

Certain points on your arms and legs trigger labour if massaged. There are different kinds of massages for pregnant women. Visit only professional spas and salons if you wish to get a body massage. Some aroma oils may make you feel sick causing nausea during pregnancy. It is better to use oils with no fragrance or mild aroma. Essential oils such as rose, eucalyptus, lemon and lavender are considered safe to use during pregnancy.

High temperature is not good for the health of the fetus. You should avoid being in high temperatures. Avoid taking sauna bath during pregnancy as it emits hot steams. Hot tub bath should also be avoided.

Avoid cosmetic treatments
Many cosmetic surgeons believe that opting for cosmetic surgery such as Botox is not advisable during pregnancy. There is no enough data available or research done on the effect of cosmetic injections on the foetus. But it is recommended not to take Botox injections if you are pregnant to avoid any risks.

Avoid treatments such as chemical peeling. Facial treatments for anti-ageing and anti-acne may make use of salicylic acids and retinoid. These ingredients should be avoided in any skin care treatments during pregnancy.

Avoid any treatment which uses high frequency currents or injections. Consult your doctor if you have a doubt about using any beauty products. Avoid intake of medications prescribed as part of your beauty treatment without discussing with your physician.

The first two trimesters need extra care since the foetus is in the initial stage of its growth. Ignorance can become fatal for your unborn child. Coming in contact with some harmful chemicals can also lead to a miscarriage.

While your body is going through phenomenal changes ensure that you take every care to stay healthy and keep your baby safe. A little care can go a long way. Help yourself by following the beauty don'ts and welcome a beautiful baby into your world.

To LightenTan

The skin gets a tan due to long periods of exposure to sunlight especially in Winter when the sun's rays are more direct. Any of the treatments given below should be done regularly for a week at least.

Wash the face and arms well. Mash some ripe strawberries and apply as a paste. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.

Tips 1:

Powder the kernel of a walnut and mix the powder with1 tbsp of milk. Apply and leave for 20 minutes.

Tips 2:
Honey 1 tsp with a few drops of vinegar applied for ½ an hour.

Tips 3:
Soya beans flour 1 tbsp with 1 tbsp of milk applied for ½ an hour.

Tips 4:

Apply grated tomato pulp mixed with cucumber juice. 1 tbsp each. Wash after 20 minutes.

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