When it comes to skin care, especially facial care, benefits of honey are multiple.

Honey is a strong anti-inflammatory agent that prevents infections and reduces the existing ones when applied on problem or sensitive skin type.

It also has antibacterial properties if used for preparation of body scrub recipes that cleanse the body and leave it bacteria free.

When combined with coconut oil, it serves as a great base for a hydrating mask after which the skin feels moist and nourished.

Pumpkin honey mask

Ingredients

4 tablepoons of peeled pumpkin

4 teaspoons of corn flour

2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel

2 teaspoons of mashed pineapple

1 teaspoon of green tea

½ teaspoon of sunflower oil

Preparation

Prepare green tea and let it rest a bit. While that is cooling down, combine pineapple, honey, pumpkin, and aloe gel. Add to that sunflower oil and then green tea. Mix well.

Apply the mix on the face and neck and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pad dry. This amount is enough for 4 applications. Keep it in a glass jar, tightly closed and refrigerated. It is not to be used after 2 weeks.

Japanese face mask

Ingredients

100 gr of honey

100 gr of flour

A bit of milk

Preparation

Combine flour and honey, and gradually add milk. Add enough milk to make the mass creamy. Apply on the face and let it rest for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water (or cooled chamomile tea).

Hawaii face mask

Ingredients

½ of ripe papaya

½ cup of fresh pinapple

2 teaspoons of honey

2 teaspoons of green tea.

Preparation

Put green tea in boiling water and let it rest a bit. Peel the papaya and remove the seeds. Mix papaya and peeled pineapple in a blender or food processor until the mass is consistent. Pour everything in a bowl and add honey and green tea.

Apply the mask on clean face (you could use a facial steam to remove impurities). Apply the mask on the face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse the face with warm water and pat dry.

This mask can be used within a week, simply keep it in a glass jar, tightly closed and refrigerated.

Honey glycerin mask

Ingredients

1 teaspoon of glycerin (alternatively, use 3 teaspoons of Vodka but do not add water)

1 teaspoon of honey

2 teaspoons of water.

1 teaspoon of wheat flour.

Preparation

Combine all the ingredients and apply it in a thin layer on the face. Leave it on for 20 to 25 minutes. This mask is to be used 2 times a week. It is recommended for dry and normal skin type.

Oily skin honey parsley mask

Ingredients

4 teaspoon of honey

¼ of a cup of chopped parsley.

Combine the two and apply on the face. This recipe yields one application.

Antiaging honey mask

Ingredients

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon of honey

1 teaspoon of glycerin or vegetable oil.

Combine all the ingredients and apply on the face. It should stay on the face for at least 30 minutes, the longer the better. Rinse off with warm water.

Relaxing honey mask

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of honey

2 tablespoons of sour cream

Oatmeal or wheat

Preparation

Combine honey and sour cream. Add oatmeal or wheat until the mass thickens. Apply it on the face and neck and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Biljana Drake is an avid collector of homemade skin care recipes. For more great skin care tips, facial masks recipes, homemade remedies, visit her website http://www.skin-care-recipes-and-remedies.com

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Men’s skin care is a topic that everyday is more and more usual in guys conversations. We have arrived to a time where men feel comfortable expressing their needs of looking good and feeling good and where they can express it freely without any kind of shame. And guess what? It seems men skin care is here to stay.

Who hasn’t heard of the term metrosexual? It appeared on media all over the world some years ago to describe men who care about how they look. But why give a name to something that has always existed? If women can take care of themselves why shouldn’t we? After all skin care is more than just cosmetic, it has a positive impact on our health as well. I bet the term metrosexual will disappear in the next few years, as personal grooming will become an important part of men’s lives, not only to get women, but also to impress at jobs.

Men skin care includes different areas, and also brings up different questions. It begins by getting to know your skin type. Even the color of your skin determines your approach to men skin care; black people and white people have their own issues when it comes to men skin care. For example the black skin is prone to produce ingrown hair, razor bumps and hyperpigmentation; thus different products are needed to take care of it. Once you know your specific skin type, it works as a building point for skin care.

Men skin care is something you should definitely consider if you want to feel better about yourself. Take advantage of the years you live in. As you will experience, taking care of your skin will bring you many benefits, being the best of them a truly healthy skin. Men skin care is a growing trend that is taking the world by storm, and taking men around the world to a better life.

Paolo Basauri, is an expert author who writes for Men Skin Care Tips, A site specialized in men skin care information & tips.

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The advantage of going organic in skin care is the fact you are minimizing your skin’s intake of harmful chemicals present in most synthetic skin care products.  There have been studies noting the adverse effects of substances especially those derived from petroleum and others that are possibly carcinogens. However, it’s a big question whether or not this is just a hoax originating from organic skin care product manufacturers to lure the public into their solutions.

Whatever the truth is, here are some organic skin care products for those who opt to go organic.

Here’s your clue to what organic means: they are food grown in the absence of synthetic pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, herbicides, hormones, or other artificial substances for three consecutive years the minimum; no added artificial flavors or colors, and excludes GMOs.

To help you out further, in 2002 the US Department of Agriculture passed a new standard in classifying organic products labeling.  “100% organic” means the product contains “all” organic ingredients, which may bear the organic seal of USDA.

“Organic” constitutes products that have at least 95% organic ingredients, which may still bear the USDA organic seal.  And “Made with Organic Ingredients” pertain to products with at least 70% organic ingredients and no longer qualify for a USDA organic seal.  These labeling should broaden your knowledge on which organic skin care product to select.

Miessence’s line of organic skin care products claim to be “absolutely” free from synthetic detergents, colors or fragrances, artificial preservatives, petroleum by-products, tar derivatives or GMOs (genetically modified organisms).  Their organic skin care products also skipped animal testing, according to the makers.

The active ingredients in Miessence organic skin care products are orange peel oil, calendula, geranium, chamomile, and hops, lemon peel oil, witch hazel and burdock, bergamot, lavender, organic herbs, water-soluble botanicals, organic seed butters and oils for their moisturizers, organic flower extracts, horse tail, gotu kola, organic Echinacea, plantain, and so much more.

Miessence organic skin care products are available in the form of facial cleansers, facial scrubs, moisturizers, toners, organic skin serums, organic skin treatments, skin masks, hydrating and mists.

The ingredients they use in the organic skin care products can also serve as your guide in choosing other products available over-the-counter.  Remember to read the back labels.  Other advantages of using organic skin care products are that they are said to slow down the aging process in contrast to their artificial counterparts.  Moreover, being organic they may be more tolerated by and friendly to the body’s vital processes.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Skin Care and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Acne Treatment web site. For more articles and resources on Skin Care related topics, Acne Treatments, Natural Skin Care Products and much more visit his site at: http://skin-care.need-to-know.net/

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Always read the labels on skin care products. The truth is that some ingredients may do more harm than good. The more ingredients are listed, the more potential harm they can do to your skin. Here is a list of some of the common ingredients found in skin care products that have the potential to irritate your skin:

• Ammonia
• Balsam
• Bergamot
• Citrus juices and oils
• Coriander
• Eugenol
• Fir needle
• Horsetail
• Lemongrass
• Marjoram
• Mint
• Papaya
• Sandalwood oil
• TEA-lauryl sulfate
• Arnica
• Bentonite
• Camphor
• Clove
• Cornstarch
• Fennel
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Lime
• Melissa (lemon balm)
• Oak bark
• Peppermint
• Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfate
• Thyme
• Balm mint
• Benzalkonium chloride
• Cinnamon
• Clover blossom
• Eucalyptus
• Fennel oil
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Linalool
• Menthol
• Orange
• Phenol
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Wintergreen
• Witch hazel
• Ylang-ylang

Interest in skin care supplements, or beauty foods, has been strong in Asia, and that trend is growing fast in Europe as well. These nutrient rich beauty foods make a good case for starting a beauty regime from within, one that is designed to prevent or reduce the effects of aging, like sagging skin.

Some products on the market include a supplement containing lacto-lycopene, vitamin C, and soy isoflavones. This is aimed at restoring firmness to the skin for women over 40, and was developed by Nestle and L’Oreal. Others have been developed using lycopene and grape seed extract, both antioxidants. Grape seed extract also stops enzymatic reactions that lead to collagen in the skin being broken down.

Antioxidants protect the capillaries in skin and thus ensure that enough nutrients get to the living cells that eventually push their way to the surface and become the skin you see in the mirror. They also protect from broken veins and early wrinkling. Capillaries also deliver oxygen to the cells, and remove the waste products of cellular metabolism. This prevents puffy, sagging, and dull skin.

But you don’t always need to reach for a bottle of supplements. Simply by eating more antioxidant rich food on a daily basis should see some improvement in skin tone. Fruits rich in antioxidants include blueberries, prunes, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples, cherries and plums. And of the vegetables, eat more artichokes, broccoli, red cabbage, pontiac potatoes, brown onions, asparagus, non-green capsisum, beetroot, spinach and sweet potatoes.

Women are more prone to the damage caused by antioxidants than men, according to research from the University of Berkeley, and hence possibly their aging effects (Angyal).

Another strong antioxidant is beta carotene. Beta carotene is found in green leafy vegetables, fruit and carrots. This antioxidant has been found to counteract the effects of a particular type of oxygen free radical, singlet oxygen, which occurs after the skin is exposed to UV radiation in sunlight. UV exposure can lead to premature aging by the effects of singlet oxygen.

A study found that whilst the provitamin A aspect of the carotenoid did not combat the singlet oxygen, the beta carotene did. It prevented the action of two enzymes, associated with UV light and the destruction of the skin cell’s extracellular matrix, which happens in premature aging of the skin. Sunlight also destroys beta carotene in cells after sun exposure, so this beta carotene has to be replaced.

Beta carotene has been reported as having a mild sunscreen effect too, though it needs to be taken as a supplement to get this effect.

The skin care supplement beauty market is still not a strongly developed one however, as these types of supplements tend to be more expensive than other supplements. And there needs to be more research and clinical trials to prove which products do what they are designed to.

References:
1. http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=54477-beta-carotene-boosts

2. E Angyal, Gorgeous Skin In 30 Days

3. http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=57434

For an anti aging skin care treatment rich in antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid, try this herbal remedy. If you’re troubled by acne, try reading this article on acne skincare products.

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By tanning we mean changing the color of skin into a dark brown or bronze color, that’s what we call a tan color. When tanning captured the imagination of fashion freaks across the globe, the sun was only source to attain a tan color.

Sun tan was a preferred practice to get brownish skin. Now a days a good number of artificial or man made means have come on the block to substitute suntan. In America and else where in the west, women’s fascination with tan color never seems ending. Instead tanning rage is flourishing at its best.

The fashion that holds a lineage with ancient Greek civilization got a kick start in modern times by famous fashion face of France Coco Channel. She was the first to get noticed with body tan in early twentieth century. From then onwards the fashion kept gaining the momentum and ended up inspiring three generations.

Soaring urge of Americans to attain the tan color resulted in number of artificial ways to get tanned. It was not possible for everyone to spend enough time under the sun for tanning. These artificial tanning products in turn gave way to a full fledged tanning industry in America.

The industry is still blossoming and satisfying tanning requirement of people. However sun tanning still remains a preferred practice. People take couple of weeks off for beach holidays with the intention of attaining natural tan color. But even while undergoing suntan, suntan lotions and creams must be used.

Introduction of tanning beds brought a new surge in the tanning fashion. Tanning beds offered a less time taking and comparatively safe procedure for tanning. Tanning equipment manufacturers came up with two types of tanning beds: one for commercial purpose and other to be used at home. Home tanning beds are very popular among all tanning enthusiasts. With the help of the bed they can get their desired level of tan.

With the advent of tanning salons in eighties, the fashion ventured into commercialism of a new kind. Quick tanning ways of these salons became very popular and folks in flocks started paying visit to salons. You too can visit a near by salon for giving fashion a try.

Emergence of tanning lotions, sprayers, pills and bronzers have brought a revolution in the world of tanning. The fashion seems to rule over elite and has successfully made an inroad into the lower strata of the society as well. Young girls are particularly crazy about it and women seem obsessed with tan color. Perhaps the fashion has turned out to be a passion.

To get more information on tanning, tanning myths and tanning facts visit http://www.easy-tanning.com/tanningbeds/

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Download the Sunless Tanning Guide: The Safe Way To A Gorgeous Long-Lasting Tan

Dry skin has no permanent cure but the skin can be softened and made smoother by using a few remedies. Most popularly, lotions and creams are used to soothe the dry skin. Using a mild soap or a cleansing body wash might eliminate the problem temporarily. However, this option can turn out to be pretty expensive if the skin is genetically dry or just exceptionally dry.  Certain remedies can be used to soften the dry skin right at home.

A face pack made of fruits rich in vitamins and water can have a good effect on the dry skin. Some of the fruits that can be used are papaya, peach, and banana. Mashed avocado can also be applied to the skin for a glowing effect.  A mild lotion or moisturizer can follow these face packs, to retain the moisture produced by the face pack. It is advised to use oil-based lotions in such instances. Moisture has to be applied with upward circular motion always.

Night creams containing alpha hydroxy acids can be used as night cream so as to have a fresh looking skin in the mornings. These are more oily than the regular creams and work more effectively for longer time during the nights.

A diet consisting of a lot of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin E can be taken for an inner glow in the skin. Leafy vegetables help the most in replenishing the moisture in the skin. The water intake needs to increase a lot to help the body have the required amount of fluids. Fruit juices are also considered to be very helpful in softening the skin.

Rose water, almond oil, honey, olive oil, and beaten curd can all be used as good face packs. Other than this, daily massage or facial sauna with herbal oils and use of mild detergent and fragrance free soap can work wonders on dry skin.

Dry Skin provides detailed information about dry skin, dry skin care, and more. Dry Skin is affiliated with Ring Worm Symptoms.

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The long vertical bands often visible at the front of the neck are caused by the displacement of the edges of the muscle, which lies under the skin. The problem will cause to worsen if left untreated.

However, cosmetic botox treatment offers a temporary and fairly satisfactory, easing of the problem. When the muscle bands are very prominent, cosmetic botox does not completely eliminate the lines but helps to soften them. Sometimes it even seems to ease the horizontal rings on the neck as well.

Besides, cosmetic botox can also be used to raise the outside portion of the eyebrows by injection just below the eyebrows into the muscle that pulls the brow down. Paralyzing this muscle allows the muscles that lift the eyebrow to act unopposed, resulting in a significant lift.

Cosmetic botox has also been proven effective in interrupting the impulses to the sweat glands under the arms, allowing control of excessive sweating in this area. Those who suffer hyperhydrosis, as it is called, are most grateful of the relief afforded. Most unexpectedly, cosmetic botox has been widely reported to stop migraine headaches.

One of the predictable benefits of cosmetic botox that has not yet been realized is its use to prevent the development of wrinkles, rather than in the treatment of established wrinkles. If small doses of botox are used in areas such as outside the eyes and in the glabella, the ubiquitous smile lines and glabellar frown lines would very likely never develop. This would require a long-term regimen and we simply have not been using botox long enough to deem this true.

The cost of cosmetic botox treatments varies according to the amount and concentration used and the individual doctor. It is a very expensive product to purchase and some feel that dilution and minimal dosage is an effective way to keep costs down. Fees for treatment of the forehead and crow’s feet range from $700 to $1600. While the techniques are not rocket science, one should be skeptical.

For more information on finding safe cosmetic plastic surgery, effective cosmetic botox treatment or getting a permanent cosmetic plastic makeup, please visit the following website: My Fashion House

©Skyjoe. All rights reserved. This article may be freely distributed as long as it remains unaltered inclusive of the active links and the copyright notice. No alteration is allowed without express written permission from the author.

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According to this article, a new Consumer Reports study has found that cheap wrinkle creams outperform the pricey ones. Despite making claims such as “scientifically proven” and “breakthrough treatment,” the benefits of most anti-aging creams are barely visible to the naked eye, a study by the publishers of Consumer Reports magazine has concluded.

The luxury brands, some priced over $300, don’t perform any better than more moderately priced drug store versions, which sell for less than $20, the non-profit consumer research group also said in its first-ever study of anti-aging products.

Olay Regenerist, priced at $19, was the top performer, while RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream scored the lowest.

After 12 weeks the top-rated products did smooth out some fine lines and wrinkles. But even the best performers reduced the average depth of wrinkles by less than 10 per cent, a magnitude of change that was barely visible to the naked eye.

The differences between the top and bottom scoring creams were “marginal,” the authors noted. However, consumers can improve their chances of getting better results by trying various brands as the same product performed differently on different women, the study showed.

The makers of top performing Olay Regenerist gave the report high marks. The most expensive product tested, La Prairie Cellular, which sells for $335 an ounce in the U.S., ranked second least effective. The Toronto Star was unable to reach the Swiss company for comment last night.

The consumer group also tested a brand that is currently the subject of a class action lawsuit in the U.S. and a Health Canada review over some of its health claims. StriVectin-SD Intensive Concentrate for Existing Stretch Marks, which sells for $135 in the U.S., scored seventh out of nine products listed.

The best prevention for wrinkles is the old standbys: Stay out of the sun, wear sunscreen, avoid tanning salons and don’t smoke, the report concluded.

Alpha hydroxy acids are now in common use by dermatologists, cosmeticians and the many people buying over the counter skin care products. They are available in moisturizers, cleansers, eye creams, peels, foundations and anti-wrinkle preparations.

They are most commonly used for dry skin care, but can tend to be too harsh and therefore damage the skin further. The damage can be repaired with a shielding lotion, but it might also be a good idea to try some of the gentler alpha hydroxy acids Mother Nature has to offer instead of those on the shelves.

Alpha hydroxy acids are plant extracts that, in themselves, are not harmful unless used in very high concentration - which can cause redness and swelling that may last for weeks. Their major benefit is in their ability to accelerate exfoliation. Dead skin cells are stripped away, leaving your skin looking fresh and young.

The acids also improve fullness and elasticity by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. As dead skin cell build-up is more common with dry skin than other skin types, and as dry skin tends to be thinner and less supple, these properties are especially benefical in dry skin care.

If you would like to try these acids au naturel rather than in expensive treatments or preparations, here’s where you can find them:

* Bilberry extract - Bilberry is a shrub with leaves and fruit that have toning properties. The extract is a good source of natural alpha hydroxy acid and is available in health food stores.

* Citric acid - most concentrated in lemons and limes, is it high in both antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acids. Both lemons and limes are helpful for dry skin care and are easy to prepare. You can squeeze them for juice and apply them, or simply cut the fruit in half and run it in.

* Sugar cane and sugar maple extracts - extracted from the juicy pulp of sugar cane and the Sugar Maple Tree, these are both good natural sources of alpha hydroxy acids. Although these may be hard to find in stores, a quick search online will produce many sources.

Although bilberry, lemons, limes and sugar plant extracts may be easier on the skin than the usual products, the exfoliation process can still leave it a little raw and vulnerable. So make sure you follow your alpha hydroxy treatment - natural or otherwise - with a good shielding lotion specially formulated dry skin care.

Author, Gloria MacTaggart, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skin care for Gloves In A Bottle, Inc. For more information, visit www.glovesinabottle.com.

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