Veggie Blog

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.

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.

Which is the best skin care product?

There is really no such thing as the best skin care product. There simply cannot be one “best skin care product”, because skin care products work differently for different people (based partly on skin type). A product that is the best skin care product for one person might end up being the worst for another. So a more logical question would be “What is the best skin care product for my type of skin?”. However, even this is not completely logical. We tend to divide people into 4 groups based on their skin type, i.e. dry skin, oily skin, normal skin and sensitive skin. This classification is too broad to settle the question of the best skin care product. “The best skin care product for dry skin” or “the best skin care product for oily skin” are better statements than just “the best skin care product”. But that is all they are: better, and still not accurate.

So it comes down to rephrasing the question as “What is the best skin care product for me?”. Yes, this is the question that you should be asking, and unfortunately there is no easy answer. Finding the best skin care product for yourself will take some effort on your part.

First of all, you need to understand how skin care products work. This is simple. You can think of every skin care product as being made of 2 types of ingredients: active and inactive. The active ingredients are the ones that actually work on your skin. The inactive ones help deliver the active ingredients to your skin. Both kinds of ingredients need to suit your skin for the product to be effective (and to become the best skin care product for you).

Besides the ingredients, the way you use your skin care products is equally important, perhaps even more so. If you do not know how to apply skin care products, you might forever be hunting for the best skin care product when it has already passed through your hands. It is also important to decide how often to apply a product. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and pollution also affect which skin care product is best for you. Here are a few rules to make sure your best skin care product really is the best for you:
* Cleanse your skin before applying that skin care product.
* Use a make-up remover instead of plain soap and water to clean your face before going to bed.
* Active ingredients can work less well when applied on top of other products, e.g. over a moisturiser. So apply the treatment product first, and then a little moisturiser if needed.
* Apply the product to clean, slightly damp skin.
* You will probably have to try a few products before you arrive at the one that is best for you.
* Do not exfoliate too often or too hard.
* Adjust your skin care routine to the seasons (winter, summer etc.), to changes in your environment and to changes in your skin.

Note that the best skin care product cannot be found overnight. Only through trial (and awareness) can you find the best skin care product for you.

Antiaging skin care

Antiaging skin care is a very popular idea in today’s world. Everyone wants to slow down signs of aging using antiaging skin care routines (and many people get good results). However, antiaging skin care is not achieved with a magic potion. It is about discipline and about being proactive: it slows down the visible signs of aging. Here are a few tips for proactive antiaging skin care:

Healthy habits

1. Maintain good eating habits: a balanced diet is the key to a healthy metabolism. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables; they are a good source of fibre and nutrients. Limit oily and fatty food; it is often low in nutrients and, eaten in excess, contributes to weight gain and other health problems.

2. Beat stress: this is one of the most important antiaging measures. Long-term stress affects sleep and overall health, and it shows in your skin. Sleep, exercise and a relaxing bath are all good ways of beating stress. Many people also find aromatherapy relaxing.

3. Drink enough water: antiaging skin care cannot get simpler than this. Water keeps your body working well; your kidneys use it to remove waste. How much you need depends on your size, activity and the climate, and there is no single amount that suits everyone.

4. Regular exercise is good for your skin as well as your body. Besides toning your muscles, it improves blood flow. Shower after exercise to wash off sweat and dirt.

Choosing and using products

5. Avoid harsh, chemical-based products on your skin. Natural skin care products are an option, but natural does not automatically mean gentle, so choose products that suit your skin, home made or commercial.

6. Do not overuse skin care products. Applying too much, or too often, can irritate your skin.

7. Do not ignore skin disorders; they can lead to lasting skin damage. Try an over-the-counter treatment, and if that does not help, visit a dermatologist and ask for advice.

8. Vitamin C based skin care products are a popular antiaging ingredient. However, they oxidise quickly, which makes them less effective and can irritate the skin. So store them properly. If the product turns yellowish brown, the vitamin C has oxidised and the product is no longer suitable for use.

9. Protect your skin against UV radiation: UV rays are the main cause of visible skin aging. So a broad-spectrum sunscreen should be part of your daily antiaging skin care routine.