Veggie Blog

Lotions vs. skin care creams

There is no shortage of creams and lotions on the market. Name a skin problem and you will find hundreds of products for it. Because of ongoing research and ever increasing demand, the number of skin care products keeps growing. Lotions and creams are the most popular forms, and there always seems to be a debate about which is better.

Creams and lotions in daily use

There is no definite answer. It seems more a matter of personal choice. However, greasy creams are clearly less popular than non-greasy (or less greasy) ones. Since creams are easy to apply, they tend to be preferred for products that are not removed straight after application, so creams are more popular as moisturizers than as cleansers or toners. For toners, lotions are preferred. Some creams also act as toners, but toners are generally sold in liquid form. For cleansing, lotions and creams are about equally popular, although the tilt is towards lotions.

Creams are known to be very effective at keeping skin moist, and this is why moisturizers are the most familiar kind of cream. For the same reason, many people associate creams with dry and sensitive skin. That is true to a certain extent, but creams are not only for dry skin: some are made for oily skin as well, such as sulphur creams and vitamin A creams, which are used for oily or acne-prone skin.

Which one for which job

Creams are also used for products that treat skin disorders, especially those that need the product on a small, localized area. This is again because creams are easier to apply to the affected spot without waste. However, when the skin needs to be washed with a medicated product, a lotion is the better choice. Manufacturers generally know this, which makes it easier for you to choose between a lotion and a cream.

Eye creams and anti-ageing creams are examples where the cream is usually preferred over its lotion counterpart.

Whichever you prefer, cream or lotion, knowing how to use it properly is more important than anything else.

Organic skin care

If it can be done naturally, why go for artificial means – this is the simple premise on which organic skin care works. Organic skin care is by far the most natural way of skin care. In fact, organic skin care was probably the first one to be used by man when he first woke up to the needs of his skin. Organic skin care is not only friendlier to skin, but also inexpensive. If practised in the right way, organic skin care can help keep your skin clean, moisturised and healthy-looking.

Organic fruits and vegetables are the most popular ingredients in organic skin care routines, e.g. cucumber is very common in organic skin care routines. Turmeric, apple, papaya and ginger are others that find a wide use in organic skin care routines. These organic materials have a very refreshing and vitalizing effect on your skin. Almost every skin care book/guide has a section on organic skin care (including the actions of various fruits and vegetables on skin). So choose the ones that are more suitable for your skin type and start experimenting with them until you finally select the ones that are most suitable for inclusion in your organic skin care routine. It is important that you use fresh organic fruits/vegetables. Do not try to use rotten ones for your skin; their only place is the garbage bin.

Milk is known to have cleansing properties; in fact, the names of some skin care products contain the word milk. A combination of milk with ground oatmeal acts as a wonderful cleanser.

Ground almond is a popular ingredient for oily skin in an organic skin care regimen. It is used in various combinations, e.g. with egg, honey, milk and fruits, for preparation of organic facial packs.

Wheat germ is a common ingredient in organic skin care procedures. It is rich in vitamin E and is known for its exfoliating as well as moisturising properties. Wheat germ, in various combinations with other organic materials, is used to prepare facial masks for normal and dry skin types. Wheat germ oil is another way in which wheat germ is used for organic skin care.

Yogurt and sour cream are other natural materials that are known for their exfoliating and moisturising properties.

Use of pure honey is also common in organic skin care procedures. It helps in retention of moisture and helps impart a glowing look to skin.

Rose water takes its place as a toner in organic skin care routines. Lavender water is popular too.

Organic skin care uses combinations of different natural materials that complement each other and add to each other’s effectiveness. Keep in mind that natural ingredients can still cause allergies or irritation, so try any new mixture on a small patch of skin first.

Organic skin care is truly an art that, once perfected, can give tremendous results in a highly cost effective manner.

Serious skin care

Adapting your routine to your skin

Serious skin care is about keeping your skin healthy and glowing throughout your life. As you get older, your body’s natural skin care mechanisms become weaker, so serious skin care means responding to the changing needs of your skin. It is about constantly evaluating and, where needed, changing your skin care routines. Your routine should change with the environment, your age and changes in your skin type.

Staying informed

Serious skin care is also about awareness. Thanks to technology and research, new knowledge is brought to light every day, and the composition of skin care products keeps changing with time. Trying out new products is therefore part of serious skin care. Test a new product on a small patch of skin first (not on the face) to see how your skin reacts to it.

Using products well

Serious skin care also means knowing how to get the most from your products. Good practices include applying moisturizers while the skin is damp, using gentle upward strokes, removing make-up before going to bed, cleansing before you moisturize or put on make-up, and using the correct amount of each product. Making your skin care products more effective is another focus of serious skin care.

Being gentle

Some precautions, such as avoiding contact with harsh detergents, are also part of serious skin care, which means being gentle with your skin. Over-exfoliation, low-quality products and strong chemical-based products are all harmful to your skin. Some people have the wrong idea of serious skin care: they think it means using large quantities of products as often as possible. It does not, and that is why awareness is so important.

Serious skin care is also about visiting your dermatologist for skin disorders. Ignoring skin disorders can be risky for your skin and might lead to permanent damage. If things do not improve with over-the-counter medication, see a dermatologist without delay. Do not treat blemishes yourself: squeezing acne or pimples is a big no, because it can damage your skin permanently.

In the end, serious skin care is more about precaution and protection than about treatment. It means being proactive as well as reactive. In fact, we can say it is about being proactive about the needs of your skin so that the need to react is reduced to a minimum.

Anti aging skin care

What anti aging skin care means

One of the most talked-about topics in skin care is anti aging skin care. As we get older, the natural protection of our skin (and of the whole body) weakens. Anti aging skin care is about protecting your skin from the effects of the aging process, and it can help you keep a young, fresh look for longer. Awareness of aging has grown over time, but many people still find it hard to recognize the signs of aging, and so they do not know whether they need additional anti aging skin care measures.

Signs of aging

Here is a list of common signs of aging that can help you plan your anti aging skin care strategy: wrinkles, dry skin, age spots, graying hair and hair loss. Changes in memory, eyesight and hearing, and the menopause, are also part of getting older, but skin care cannot do much about them. One or more skin signs are a good reason to step up your skin care. Note that we are talking about adding measures, not about starting anti aging skin care altogether. It really starts long before the signs appear. Serious skin care means building and following a good skin care routine much earlier in life (say in your teens). It does not need any special procedure, just a normal routine followed with real commitment, with protection from the sun at its center. Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, drinking enough water, not smoking and managing stress are good for your skin and your health, but they will not stop aging.

Choosing anti aging products

Once the signs of aging show up, you may want to add anti aging skin care products. The market is full of them, so many that they will probably find you before you find them. Your skin also changes a lot with age, so check whether your current skin care routine is still suitable for your skin.

Remember that aging is a natural process and nothing can stop it. All anti aging skin measures can do is delay its visible effects.

Personal skin care is a process

We all understand the importance of personal skin care, but the advice on how to do it differs from person to person. Some people believe that going to the beauty parlour every other day is personal skin care. Others think it is just a matter of applying some cream or lotion every now and then. Some think it is something you do once a month or once a year, and still others spend all their time on it. In fact, personal skin care is not that complicated, and it is not that expensive either, considering how useful it is. It simply means following a routine for taking care of the needs of your skin.

Before you start a routine, you need to find out your skin type (oily, dry, sensitive, normal and so on) and choose the skin care products that suit it. You may have to experiment with a few products. Here is a routine that should work for most people with normal skin.

Step 1: Cleansing

The first step of any routine is cleansing. A cleanser contains three basic ingredients: oil, water and surfactants (wetting agents). The oil and surfactants lift dirt and oil from your skin, and the water rinses it away. You may have to try a couple of cleansers before you find the one that suits you best. Choose a soap-free cleanser and use lukewarm water, because water that is very hot or very cold can irritate your skin. Take care not to over-cleanse, which can damage your skin as well.

Step 2: Exfoliation

The second step is exfoliation. Your skin constantly removes dead cells and replaces them with new ones, and exfoliation simply helps with that process. A layer of dead skin cells on the surface can make your skin look dull and can keep products from reaching the fresh skin underneath, so removing it makes your other skin care products work better. Exfoliation usually comes after cleansing. As with every part of the routine, it matters how much you do. How often depends on your skin type and on the method you use: start gently, for example once a week, and the stronger the exfoliation, the less often it should be done. Dry or sensitive skin needs less. If your skin gets red or sore, cut back.

Step 3: Moisturizing

The next step is moisturizer, one of the most important parts of personal skin care. Even people with oily skin need it. A moisturizer helps seal moisture into your skin and can also draw some from the air. Too much can clog the pores and cause problems, so use a thin layer. It works best when applied to skin that is still slightly damp.

Step 4: Sunscreen

The last step is sunscreen. Many day-time moisturizers include UV protection, so you get two benefits in one. Use sun protection every day, whether it is sunny or cloudy. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and put on enough of it.

What works best for you depends on your skin type and on how much of each product you use, so adjust the routine as you learn. If you have a skin problem of any kind, talk to a dermatologist before you start using new personal skin care products.