Collagen has been the “buzz” word in the skin care industry. They’re often advertised as an anti-aging solution. At a glance, this makes sense because collagen is a type of fibrous protein that connects and supports bodily tissues.

Known as the glue that holds the body together, collagen works hand-in-hand with elastin to give body tissues form and provides firmness and strength.

Naturally, the production of collagen diminishes as we age, thus leading to wrinkles. As such, collagen is an important substance for those looking for ways to fight the visible effects fo aging on the skin.

While collagen can deliver benefits to skin, collagen creams are not as effective as what manufacturers have claimed. Collagen creams does not have the ability to rebuild or replace lost collagen.

The only sources of collagens are animal skins. The molescules are too large to be absorbed by the skin’s cells. Although collagen creams cannot penetrate the skin to build new fibers, they are highly effective moisturizers for dry skin.

If a collagen boost is what you are after, you need to saught for products that contains Vitamin C, soy, or retinol. These are agents that have been shown clinically to boost collagen production.

Nothing gives away your age like your hands. Our hands tend to age quicker and show their age more than most other parts of our bodies.

Why do hands age so fast? The skin on the backs of your hands has few oil glands so it shrivels and chaps easily uponexposure especially around the joints. Add to this the overall fragile structure of your handsand you can understand why the skin on our hands is especially vulnerable to aging.

Not only that, our hands are constantly exposed to the environment, the sun and sun damage, gravity, age, and daily abuse inflicted by us, not to mention neglect, again by us. So basically, our aging hands are self-inflicted to some degree.

Our hands do so much for us during the day, yet we seem to just forget about them when it comes to skin and body care.

Is it really possible to renew hands once they start the aging process? Yes, you can rejuvenate the skin somewhat, plump it up with product and prevent additional aging. The rule of thumb is to treat your hands like you do for your face.

You can however slow the aging process by protecting your skin with gloves and by using moisturizer and sunscreen all year round.

Here’s some useful tips to protect your hands from aging:

• Gloves. Get accustomed to using rubber gloves whenever you do housework or a little gardening.
• Soak hands in a bowl of warm water to which 1 tsp of corn starch has been added for 5 minutes daily after finishing the house-hold chores.
• Finger Massage. Using four fingers from the opposite hand, start at the top of the finger and knead your way down to the tip of each finger. Feels wonderfully relaxing.
• Hand Massage. To stimulate circulation, rub your palm over the back of the hand and repeat with other hand. This movement is very similar to washing your hands and not only stimulates circulation, it also warms the hands.
  Massage hands once a week with olive oil and a little table salt added to it.
• Nourishing Hand Cream. Keep your Hand Cream on the counter and get into the habit ofapplying the cream several times a day. And remember the nails. They can benefit too.
• Beauty Sleep. Before you go to bed, lavish on your hand cream and then put on a pair of cotton gloves. Hands will be incredibly soft by morning. For chapped hands in winters, wash with lukewarm water (before going to bed), apply milk-cream and put on a pair of gloves; wash hands the next morning.
• Exfoliate your hands once a week.
• Sunscreen. Remember that your hands is also exposed to sun damage. It is important to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before moving out in the sun.

Organic Passion products recommendations:

1. Miessence Nourishing Hand Cream – An ultra-rich and nourishing cream for dry, chapped hands with antioxidants that help protect the hands from environmental stress. Organic shea butter and phospholipids keep the hand soft, supple and smooth. Helps to refine the texture of the hands, and brings moisture to the skin. Absorbs quickly without leaving the skin greasy. Perfumed with divine organic rose essential oil. RRP – $19.25

2. Garnet Exfoliant - Polished alluvial garnet works effectively to clear congestion resulting from a build-up of dead, dry surface skin cells. The best scrub ever, with a fresh citrus blend of organic lemon, bergamot and orange. RRP – $32.35

by Ines Van Den Born

Look at your hands now and tell yourself what you see?

Beautiful and gorgeous hands are so important.

Hands tells everything about yourself, how you live your life and love your body. They say that hands give a woman’s age away, well so what! But gorgeous hands are the carriers of your personality, no matter in what situation and age you are.

You wear fancy designer clothes, imagine the negative effects if you combine these fancy clothes with abandoned hands.

Look around you and see how hands are the center of communication. At a party, or even a job interview, your hands are your business card.

Your hands are the ultimate tool invented ever, but you don’t realize how important these tools are. You just use them all day; Shaking hands, cooking, doing your hair, feel, touch, work, write. Endless, think about this for a second.

And decide now, no matter what your age is, to treat them as your treasure.

* The skin of the hand is so thin, protect the skin.
* Pamper your hands with your personal hand lotion, 4 times a day.
* Exfoliate once a week with a face exfoliater.
* Use once a week your face night cream also on your hands before you go to sleep.
* Get accustomed to using rubber gloves whenever you do housework.
* Prevent your hands from aging or abusing.
* Protect your hands from dry weather as well as protecing them from the sun.
* Use daily a protective barrier.

With other words: The best way to take care of your hands is to protect them.

The Author
Ines van den Born is a registered nurse in Europe. She is also International Sales and Marketing manager Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices.

Italian Leather Gloves, your second skin. http://www.gloveseurope.com

by Dr. Robyn Tisdale Scott

Research shows that there are two different kinds of aging. They are called Intrinsic and Extrinsic. Intrinsic is the normal process of aging, and usually begins around our mid 20′s.

Aging of this kind causes collagen production to slow, and the elasticity of our skin to lessen. Extrinsic aging is aging that is caused by outside or external factors. Some of the things that cause premature and extrinsic aging are the sun, smoking, repetitive facial gestures, and much more. Luckily, we are finding more and more that we can prevent extrinsic aging and get rid of the signs of aging effectively.

There are some very important things you can do to take care of your skin and make sure that you are protecting it from signs of aging. Keep your skin hydrated and supple with a great moisturizer. Organic Shea Butter is a moisturizer, but studies show that it can do much more. It actually has anti-aging properties which fight lines and wrinkles, dull skin and dryness. This will help immensely in the fight against aging. Shea Butter contains Vitamins A and E, and is a great source of specific healthy fats and acids which are great for your skin. In fact, some studies show that you can tell a difference in the way your skin looks in just 4 to 6 weeks. Smoother, softer and supple skin can all be achieved with Shea Butter, and it also protects your skin from the sun.

Speaking of the sun, it’s one of the main causes of premature aging. Everyone seems to want that great golden tan, but later in life they are paying for it. The sun can cause your skin to have a leathery, rough texture, and it can also cause wrinkles and lines, and of course skin cancer. Protecting your skin from the sun is an absolute necessity. Along with smoothing on Shea Butter for protection, some things you can do to protect your skin from the sun are:

• Wear a sunscreen with a 30 SPF or higher.

• Don’t stay in the sun for extended periods of time.

• Make sure you smooth on a great moisturizer before and after being exposed
to the sun.

• Wear a sun hat or umbrella.

You can also fight the signs of aging by quitting smoking. Smoking reduces the blood circulation to the skin and starves it of blood and oxygen. This can have several effects including deep lines and wrinkles, wrinkles around the lips and mouth, a yellowish or gray and unhealthy skin complexion, and a leathery appearance of the skin. In fact, it’s fairly easy to tell if someone is a smoker just by looking at their face and their skin. Quitting smoking, or staying away from second hand smoke will most definitely benefit your skin.

Eating the proper amount of fruits and vegetables each day will help your skin stay healthy and young looking. There are essential vitamins and nutrients which your skin needs to maintain it’s healthy look, and many of these come from fruits and veggies. Experts recommend 4 servings of fruit and an unlimited serving of vegetables per day. Eating right will help stop extrinsic aging. Make sure to drink plenty of water as well. Shea Butter, the right diet and nutrition and keeping the sun off of your skin will all help you fight the signs of aging. 

About the Author

Dr. Robyn Tisdale Scott is a Clinical Pharmacist who used her clinical expertise and pharmacology skills to develop Purely Shea, a Certified Organic Shea Butter based line of skin care. http://www.purelyshea.com

by K Heath

Pregnant women are always beautiful, they glow because they are working to bring new life into the world in just a few sometimes short and sometimes long months, pregnancy always seems to drag on towards the end as the excitement builds. However, pregnancy can also take its toll on the body at the same time. It is just as important to take care of your skin while you are pregnant, as it is when you are not pregnant.

Before You Start Skin Care Tips

Before you start any skin care regimen while you are pregnant, it is important to consult with your doctor. Some skin care items, even topical elements could be dangerous to your unborn baby. You already likely know that everything you put into your body has an effect on your baby. However, you may not know that everything you put on your body may as well.

Some creams or lotions that you put onto your skin will soak into the bloodstream and may include some ingredients that are not healthy for your unborn baby. Therefore, before you begin any skin care routine during any point of your pregnancy, it is a wise idea to speak with your obstetrician and find out which products he or she recommends and deems safe for your baby. Some elements you want to avoid include any products that contain chemicals such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and AHA’s.

Daily Skin Care Tips

After speaking with your obstetrician, you can now begin a skin care regimen that will suit your needs. Here are some tips to daily skin care that can help you keep your skin looking healthy.

1. Relaxation and Rest – The best form of skin care is to make sure that you are resting and relaxing. If you are constantly running and stressful, your skin will take notice.

2. Moisturize – While pregnant, your skin cells become dry relatively easily. Therefore, it is important to keep the skin hydrated using a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin and acceptable by your obstetrician.

3. Use Mild Soap – Avoid harsh soaps and cleansers that may dry out your skin

4. Pamper Yourself – Go get yourself a facial and a massage. Pampering yourself can go right along with relaxation as well. You are the mom to be, so why not give yourself a treat now and then.

5. Always Use Sunscreen – Avoiding sunlight exposure is crucial to taking care of your skin while you are pregnant. If you need to be out in the sun however, use sunscreen at all costs.

6. Water – Make sure that you get enough water each day. Remember, since you are pregnant, the number of glasses you should be drinking each day increases.

7. Diet – Make sure that your diet includes an increased amount of vegetables and fruits each day.

Targeting Specific Skin Problems During Pregnancy

Acne – For some reason, even if they have never had an acne problem before, they will suffer from acne during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester. As the hormones increase so do the chances of acne. Before you use any type of acne product, make sure you talk with your obstetrician. It is generally safe to use some antibiotics such as erythromycin during pregnancy.

Skin Discoloration – Also known as Melasma is common in pregnant women during the second or third trimester. This skin discoloration typically disappears once you have had your baby or soon thereafter, however, by making sure you wear sunscreen and limiting your time out in the sun you can help prevent these dark patches of discoloration.

Abdomen Troubles – If you are experiencing itchiness and dryness of the abdomen, you can use some good moisturizers to help with this problem. Avoid agents that dry the skin such as products or soap that have alcohol as an ingredient. It is also a good idea to stay away from overly hot showers as well.

Skin Tags – Skin tags are relatively normal during pregnancy and even while not pregnant as well. These are typically found in areas where your skin is rubbing against itself or your clothing. They are generally also found in areas of joints or creases such as your under arms, neck folds, breasts, and other such areas.

Knowing how to implement skin care during pregnancy can help you avoid many of the skin conditions that develop. Remember to talk with your obstetrician before you start with any type of regimen to ensure that it is safe for both you and your unborn baby.

Looking for more pregnancy tips and resources? More4kids is a resource for parenting and pregnancy.

About the Author

Mr. Heath is a writer and the chief editor at More4kids.info, a website devoted to families and parenting children.

The reason we shave or wax is to achieve that soft silky beautiful hairless body. However, if not done properly, shaving and waxing can cause ingrown hair. Ingrown hair occurs when hair becomes trap in the follicle and begins to grown backward into the skin. This results in a red, irritated bump that can become sore and infected.

Treating Ingrown Hair

The solution to remove ingrown hair is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a dermatological-grade product that can be found in the skincare aisle at any drugstore.

The next time you shave/wax

As ingrown hair is a painful result of incorrect shaving or waxing technique, it is clear that your shaving technique need to be changed. Shaving too closely or repeated passes with the razor over the same area can cause ingrown hair. Therefore, you will need to use a sharp razor to shave relaxed skin in the same direction hair grows to avoid cropping the hairs too closely.

Remember to exfoliate before you start shaving. Use a washcloth or a gentle cleanser with scrubbing particles to remove the top layer of dead skin cells that can clog hair follicles, and cause hair to curl downward back into your skin.

Tips

• Always use shaving cream. Look for sensitive skin brands.
• The lubricating and anti-bacterial effects of tea tree oil may have some success on the treatment of ingrown hair.
• Use a gentle astringent like witch hazel to reduce swelling and redness caused by ingrown hair
• Don’t use acne medications containing salicylic acid on days when you shave.
• Don’t exfoliate your skin if you already have ingrown hairs, as this causes even more irritation.
• Avoid products containing alcohol, as they tend to dry the skin and close pores

If you are seeking for a quick remedy for glowing skin, try this 15 minutes treatment that will result in soft, glowing skin.

This remedy is very easy to make at home, doesn’t cost a lot and it is very effective.

The key ingredient to this quick fix is just a cut of papaya flesh.

Steps

1. Cut a piece of papaya flesh

2. Rub a piece of the cut papaya flesh on your face and neck.

3. Let the rubbed-on papaya sit for 15 minutes.

4. Rinse off with warm water.

5. Rinse again with cool water to close the pores.

6. Pat your skin dry with a towel.
After 15 minutes, you will feel the difference. Your face should feel and look much more radiant.

If your face feels dry, just apply toner/moisturizer.

Harsh weather, wind, and cold can turn the soft lips into unkissable, chapped lips that are not only visually unappealing, but very painful in some cases.

Lips don’t have oil glands, so they can dry out especially easily – they appear cracked, bleed and seem to be unnaturally red. To save your lips this winter, you will need to exfoliate and moisture your lips.

To kiss dry chapped lips goodbye, try these two easy steps:

1. Exfoliate – Take a soft toothbrush (with no toothpaste on it) and run it under warm water. Then gently brush your lips to exfoliate the dead skin.

2. Moisture – Apply lip balm and let it penetrate for a minute. Make sure to use a lip balm that includes sunscreen, to protect those freshly smooth lips from the sun (make sure to keep using it all through the day!).

Picking the right lip balm for this winter is essentially important. If you suffer from severed dry chapped lips, it would definitely be helpful to use the ultimate lip balm.

The ultimate lip balm would have superior moisturizing effect plus Vitamin A, Vitamin E and SPF 15. In case you are wondering, the sun exposure during the winter months can make chapped lips even worse. Therefore, spread on plenty of lip balm with a sunscreen of SPF 15 or more in it.

By doing these two easy steps, your lips are smooth and moist. =)