Health & Fitness

Although many people overlook the importance of facial skin care, it is the key to sustaining a healthy complexion. It may seem like work at first, but equate it to brushing your teeth. You brush, floss, and rinse to keep your teeth and gums healthy, so why wouldnt you do the same for your face?

Steps to Proper Facial Skin Care
The first step in your facial skin care regimen is proper cleansing. You should cleanse twice a day: in the morning and before bedtime. NEVER go to bed without removing makeup–this can clog your pores, cause breakouts, and leave your skin in poor condition. Drugstore bar soaps are usually too harsh for your face, so a facial bar or cream cleanser is a more appropriate option.

After cleansing thoroughly, apply a non-alcohol based toner with a cotton ball all over your face and neck. A toner will remove any leftover dirt and residue and restore the proper pH balance to your skin. It is also a good idea once or twice a week to exfoliate before toning to remove dry, dead skin cells. A gentle exfoliating scrub is ideal.

Lastly, apply moisturizer to keep your skin from drying out. As we age, our skin naturally loses moisture and facial oils, which make wrinkles more apparent. If your skin is dry, a rich cream will work best. If you have oily skin, select a lighter, non-greasy lotion or gel.

We all long for gorgeous skin, but many people fail to make the effort it requires. If you commit to this facial skin care routine, you should see a dramatic improvement in your complexion. However, if you have a specific skin care problem such as acne or rosacea, a dermatologist can best recommend a regimen that addresses your condition.

There are so many types of body lotion available today, it is easy to find one that fits your needs. They can be found in gel form, which works well for oily skin, or denser creams for dry skin. The key is to choose one that does not feel greasy and will not clog pores.

Naturally, the primary functional benefit of body lotion is to relieve dry skin. The best time to apply lotion is immediately after the shower, while your skin is still wet. Showering removes the bodys natural oils, and hot water especially dries out the skin. Applying body lotion after you bathe locks in the moisture from the shower.

Body lotion works in two ways. The first is to provide a layer of protection between the skin and the environmental elements that can dry it out, such as wind, cold temperatures, and artificial heating. Secondly, some moisturizers contain natural ingredients, such as vitamin E, that are absorbed by and nourish the skin.

Pamper Yourself with Scented Body Lotion
Body lotions can also be quite an indulgence. Many contain scents ranging from fruity to herbal to musky and beyond. The power of scent can energize, revitalize, and can even reduce stress. Body butters and souffles are the ultimate luxury and leave your skin feeling super soft and silky. These make wonderful gifts that almost any woman will appreciate. But be careful–youre likely to be tempted to pick up a couple for yourself as well!

Drawing salve is a thick, adhesive balm used for the treatment of skin irritations. It has been around for generations–chances are your grandmother had some in her medicine cabinet. Drawing salve is most commonly used to treat boils and other types of skin infections.

A boil appears as a red, often painful bump on the skin. It is actually an infection of the hair follicle caused by staph bacteria. The body fights off the infection by sending white blood cells to the site, causing the boil to develop a whitish-yellow head filled with pus.

It is not recommended to squeeze the pus out yourself because the infection is contagious and can spread. You can place a warm, damp towel onto the boil, which helps attract pus to the surface. Afterwards, drawing salve can be used to draw out the boil for faster healing. Apply it directly to the boil, preferably with a cotton swab rather than your finger.

Drawing Salve: A Medicine Cabinet Staple
However, drawing salve is not limited to the treatment of boils. It can also be used to draw out slivers and is effective at alleviating the itch from poison ivy. Some people also find it helps with minor cuts and abrasions to relieve pain and promote faster healing. With the many uses of drawing salve, many people consider it an essential part of their first aid kits.

Many people today are turning to natural soap, as opposed to commercially made soaps that are filled with a host of artificial ingredients. Mainstream soaps contain harsh, chemical detergents that can dry out the skin. Natural soap is a gentler, eco-friendly alternative.

Natural Soap is Better for You
Natural soap is vegetable based and cruelty-free. Other kinds of soap often contain lard or tallow (animal fats). It may seem grotesque to cleanse yourself with animal fat, but indeed many people do–sometimes unknowingly. Vegetable based soaps replace the animal fats with plant based oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil and shea butter, which are good for your skin.

Most natural soaps also incorporate pure essential oils rather than fragrance oils for scent. Fragrance oils contain chemical, human-made ingredients that may irritate the skin. By contrast, essential oils are extracted from plants like vanilla, peppermint, sage, and sandalwood and are known to have therapeutic benefits.

If youve decided natural soap is for you, beware when buying. Many soap manufacturers are trying to capitalize on the popularity of natural products and claim that their products are natural when they may in fact only contain a natural smell. Read labels, look for the words 100% natural and hand made, and by all means, purchase from a reputable source.

Moisturizers do exactly what the name suggests–add moisture to skin. Our skin loses moisture every day, especially in the winter months when there is less humidity in the air. Overexposure to the sun can also result in dehydrated skin. Applying a moisturizer every day helps to replenish moisture and prevent against further moisture loss.

Facial and Corporal Moisturizers
There are two types of moisturizer: for the face and for the body. Facial skin is more delicate and therefore needs a moisturizer formulated specially for the face. Facial moisturizer can come in cream, lotion or gel form. Generally speaking, thick, rich creams indicate intense moisturizing capacity that is well suited to dry skin. By contrast, thinner lotions, especially gels, are meant for people with oily skin who need less lubrication.

Moisturizers for the body can help put a stop to rough, flaky skin. These should be applied all over the body after showering, preferably while the skin is still wet. This helps seal in moisture from the bath and forms a shield to protect the skin. Some body moisturizer also features an added fragrance that can boost your mood and leave you smelling fresh.

Regular use of moisturizers can help stave off signs of premature aging and give the skin a healthy glow. Youll also notice a difference in the way your skin feels–that tightness and itching should soon disappear and it will feel softer and more supple. Remember, all moisturizers work best when used daily, so get in the habit, and youll look and feel better in no time.