Six Steps For Skin Care

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the modern and developed world. Many teenagers, and those in their twenties are more prone to acne than adults; although, adults may get it too. For some reason or another acne always seems to come when a “big event” is approaching. The nature of the event isn’t really important; it may be a job interview, a first date, a bu

siness meeting. The first thing you do is try to hide the acne with hair, heavy makeup,
or attempt to “pop” it which ultimately will make it worse and even lead to scarring. For acne sufferers all over the world, this scenario is all too common and is just another challenge in the modern world. However, there is a solution. Acne can be managed and brought under control with a few simple guidelines.

Nourish
The most important factor in healing any condition; including acne, is diet. A balanced diet could help in giving your system the necessary tools to fight bumps and blemishes on the skin. In addition, your complexion will become brighter, and more energy will suddenly be released. Small choices can bring about major changes.
Eating fruits, vegetables, and more whole foods will help to vitalize the body and brain with vitamins and minerals while improving digestion with enzymes. Also, drinking a sufficient amount of water ; about 8 glasses a day, will help to purify and clean toxins in the system.


Cleanse
Cleansing the skin is essential for attaining and maintaining a clearer complexion. You don’t have to wash your face with harsh and stripping alcohols or gritty scrubs either. There are many gentle and dermatologist recommended cleansers on the market such as Cetaphil, which may be a solution to removing the daily dirt and oil.

Exfoliating the skin two to three times a week with a safe exfoliating cleanser is also a great way to buff away dead skin cells and other impurities. Yet, always keep in mind that overwashing the skin leads to irritation and in turn causes greater oil production for more skin problems.

Protect
Sun exposure can help the skin by providing doses of Vitamin D3, but these benefits are temporary. Constant and major sun exposure will actually do the opposite of helping your skin by plugging the pores and comedones (whiteheads or blackheads), and create a comfortable breeding ground
for more acne. Thus, to avoid this problem; especially if you have already cleared your skin, you should use an SPF 15 or 30 sunscreen when outside.

Rest
A good night sleep of 7-8 hours beginning around 10pm is a wonderful way of gaining a healthier complexion. Healthy resting habits help in clearing acne by building a stronger immune system. Also, if you do not receive adequate rest at the right time of night your skin will appear pale and dull; an indication of a weaker immune system, and thus you will be more prone to breakouts.
Exercise Working out is a great way to increase blood flow through the body, achieve a higher heart rate, increase vitamin and mineral absorption from foods, increase the oxygen level in the bloodstream, detoxify the body, and improve overall function in both the body and brain. On top of all these great benefits movement in the body also helps you to release energy, thus enabling you to relax and reduce stress. As you will see in the next solution, stress reduction is crucial in attaining clear skin.

Relax
Tension and stress in the body has many detrimental effects. Tension leads your adrenal glands to flood the bloodstream with a hormone known as Cortisol. Cortisol has been the cause of many chronic conditions, but when hormone levels escalate then this ultimately causes acne flare ups and severe breakouts. So, it is important to take time out everyday to just sit and relax, and let your mind unwind. Meditation alone can be the best way to relax and let the body attain a higher level of peace and tranquility.
Clearer skin could be achieved through meditation since you are in the process of rejuvenation where you are releasing the body and mind of any pressures and anxieties that would otherwise take a toll on the immune system. Evidently being acne free is not simply having a strict skin cleansing regimen. Having clear skin and a glowing complexion includes adopting a system and lifelong routine that aims at all aspects of prevention and healthcare, one that will provide clear skin for years to come.

Tips To Clear Skin

1. Wash your face at least twice each day, using a pure soap such as Ivory, and clean water. Hot water opens pores, so wash with hot water. Cold water closes pores, so splash your face with cold water after washing to ensure that your pores are protected from the environment. Splash with cold water before applying makeup as well.

2. Reduce the use of cosmetics as much as possible. These clog pores. If you must wear makeup, make sure that you are using hypoallergenic products, or products for sensitive skin. Splash your face with cold water before applying, and make sure you wash all the makeup away before going to bed.

3. Keep you hair and hands off your face. Hair and hands contain oils that can cause acne breakouts. When applying creams or makeup to the face, use applicators - not your hands. Don't lean with your hands on your face either. Keep your hair pulled back off your face.

4. Hydrate the body - and the skin - with water. Hydrated skin is healthy skin. Water helps to detoxify our bodies, and our skin, ridding us of elements that make us ill, as well as elements that can cause acne.

5. Eat a well balanced diet, and make sure that you include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain quite a bit of natural vitamin A and vitamin E, which is essential to good skin care.

6. Don't avoid the sun altogether, because that isn't healthy, but limit your time in the sun, and use a good sunscreen. Overexposure to the sun, or ultraviolet rays, can not only cause acne, but it can cause skin to age quickly. It can also cause skin cancer. Make sure you wash the sunscreen off when you come in from the sun to avoid getting clogged pores.

7. Don't squeeze pimples, or pick at any sores. This can cause the spread of acne, and it can leave scars as well. Instead, treat the pimples and sores with topical ointments and creams, keeping your hands off of them. Use cotton balls or q-tips to apply ointments and creams.

8.Stress is bad for the skin. Just as good hormones and chemicals are produced and released when we sleep, bad hormones and chemicals are produced when we are stressed. Avoid stress as much as possible, and learn to do deep breathing exercises, or other stress reducing techniques, for those times when you are stressed

The 10 Best Anti-Ageing Organic Moisturizers

Our skin, like our other organs, needs to be fed daily with highly nutritious ingredients so that it looks and feels healthy.
And these days both men and women are striving for better glowing complexions and skincare products with a high percentage of organic ingredients do just that.
Organic products are great at feeding the skin, adding nutrients and keeping the skin hydrated and moist.
Excessive dryness of the skin can cause pre-mature ageing and initiate skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis and even acne. Skincare moisturizers act as emollients, in other words 'natural skin softeners' and moisturizers.
Moisturizers have three main functions:

1. They keep the skin moist, nourish the skin and prevent the skin from losing moisture.
2. They allow the skin to breath, release toxins and take in and release moisture.
3. They protect the skin from daily external elements and harmful bacteria, helping the skin to heal when it needs to.

The best skin care moisturizers are those derived from ancient old ingredients, that is, from traditional edible plants.
These ingredients offer high skincare nutrition, are easily absorbed by the skin and allow the skin to breath while moisturizing and nourishing the skin.
Here are 10 of the best organic skincare moisturizers that should be found in organic skincare products:
1. Organic Aloe Vera
Organic Aloe Vera is highly moisturizing, soothing, and has skin calming properties and is excellent for dry and sensitive skin and just about any type of skin related problem that you can imagine.
2. Organic Avocado Oil
Avocado Oil is an excellent emollient and is used to nourish, smooth and invigorate the skin while helping to transport active nutrients and vitamins to the skin. It has excellent bactericidal and soothing properties and is particularly good for sensitive skin.
3. Organic Carrot Oil
Carrot Oil is obtained used for its content of beta-carotene (Vitamin A). Carrot Oil also contains Vitamins B, C, D and E. It is primarily used for rejuvenating and re-hydrating damaged, dry and ageing skin.
4. Organic Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is one of nature's richest moisturizers and can do wonders for your skin. Cocoa Butter, like Shea Butter, has the ability to improve the skins moisture, retention and elasticity and is effective at relieving skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis.
5. Organic Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin. It is also an effective moisturizer for all skin types, but particularly for dry skin as it prevents dryness and flaking of the skin. Coconut Oil also delays wrinkles and sagging of skin, which normally become prominent with age.
6. Organic Jojoba Oil
Jojoba Oil is referred to as the 'miracle skin care ingredient'.It is particularly effective in adjusting skin imbalances due to excess dryness or oil. Natural Jojoba moisturizes and softens by forming a breathable lipid layer, diffusing into the skin leaving behind a silky feel. Healing also takes place because of the high proportion of naturally occurring vitamin E within it and its naturally occurring anti-inflammatory properties.
7. Organic Meadowfoam Oil
I refer to Meadowfoam oil as one of the 'new generation' of natural skincare moisturizers. It is widely used in skincare products because it is moisturising, extremely stable, and capable of adhering and staying on the skin. It forms a moisture barrier and will assist the skin with preventing moisture loss and on top of that offers natural ultra violet protection and reduces wrinkles and the signs of ageing.
8. Organic Mango Butter
This exotic, tropical butter is relatively rare in the west, but it is being used more and more in natural skincare products due to its healing, moisturizing and rejuvenating properties. Mango butter rejuvenates skin due to presence of antioxidants. It helps to neutralize toxins, to generate skin cell renewal and prevents wrinkle formation.
Mango Butter also contains natural skin acids, which are excellent natural exoliators and gently remove dead skin from the surface of the body. It also contains nutritious skin vitamins such as vitamin A and high amounts of vitamins E, C, D, group B vitamins, folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium. And this wonder butter also protects skin from sun damage.
9. Organic Palm Oil
Palm Oil is one of the best natural anti-ageing moisturizers as it contains the hard to find toctrienols, which are members of the vitamin E family. Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant that helps the skin to fight free radicals, which damage the skin and cause fine lines and wrinkles. It is added to skin care products not only for its anti-aging properties, but also because it provides deep moisturizing benefits making the skin soft and supple.
10. Organic Shea Butter
Shea Butter is unique because of its high content of fats, which act as a natural skin moisturiser.It is extremely high in Vitamins A, E & F and enhances cell regeneration and capillary circulation. Shea butter also moisturize the skin with all the essential elements it needs for balance, elasticity and tone.

This article was written by Althea Giscombe, founder of Thea Skincare.
Althea has spent many months living in Africa with local villagers. She has experienced life living in a remote traditional African village and has lived in a mud hut and been part of a local village community in Malawi, Africa. During that time she began to experience natural living and started to research the most nutritious and natural age-defying ethno-botanical ingredients that nature has to offer.
As a result of these experiences, Althea developed a passion for natural skincare products. She later created her own brand Thea Skincare, a paraben and sulphate free range of natural and organic skincare products that are pH balanced and vegan friendly. Thea Skincare products are highly nutritious with high performance active ingredients that work on the scientific principles of skin nutrition. Thea Skincare products
are designed for all skin types and for women, men, expecting mothers and young children

Althea Giscombe