Tag: Skin

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4 International Skin Care Trends Worth Trying

Skin health has and continues to be essential to beauty standards. People with clear and vibrant skin are often admired as beautiful and inundated with questions about getting the natural glow they have.

From milk baths to Korea's modern skincare dominance, women and men continue to search for the products and treatments that will give them the appearance they wish to have. However, while people do not often shy away from spending hundreds on a month's supply of "miracle treatments" or "cures," the solution to healthy skin can usually be found in various societies worldwide.

The best part about healthy skincare is it doesn't typically require a great expense. Sure, you can spend thousands on spa treatments and home therapies, but you can also spend a fraction of that and find things equally beneficial.

1. Rose Water

Ecuador, primarily known for the export of roses, is also home to a homeopathic treatment for removing excess oil on the skin: rose water. Rose water is made from glycerin and rose petals. The glycerin helps lock in moisture, but not before the compound from the petals dry out acne.

While many home skincare remedies take a lot of work to make, rose water is easy. You want to add a half cup of petals to a pot of water. Allow the petals and water to boil. Pour the rose water through a strainer to remove the petals, and then add the glycerin to the water, a fourth of a  cup, mixing thoroughly.

2. Peppermint Scalp Massage

One holistic remedy for skin and hair health is peppermint oil. The peppermint plant is indigenous to Europe, and it has been a popular ingredient in shampoos and conditioners for centuries. 

If you want to treat your scalp and hair to a massage, you will need to mix two to four drops of peppermint oil with a few drops of almond or olive oil. Massage the oil mixture into your hair and scalp for five minutes. According to experts, the oil can help relieve skin irritation and provide necessary moisture to hair follicles.

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3.  Lemon Juice

Used primarily in Asia and Central America to lighten the skin around the elbows and knees, lemon juice is a popular skin care treatment. Because lemon juice has a high concentration of citric acid, it can brighten dark spots on the body.

To use lemon juice, you only need to rub half a lemon over the area you wish to lighten. Additionally, you can apply some lemon juice to a Q-tip and apply it to areas on the face for greater control. Some experts also suggest adding some sugar to the lemon juice to act as an exfoliator.

4. Brown Rice Wash

Used by geishas and as a continued practice in Asian beauty culture, rice is used as an exfoliator and tightener. A favorite brown rice wash recipe comes from Japanese culture, and it includes equal parts brown rice, preferably organic, and water. You want to stir the mixture until a white cloud rises to the top of the bowl. Pour the water into a jar to use as a face wash and drain the rice.

There are many skin care treatments specific to cultures around the world. While many companies might try to repackage treatments as exotic or new, most skincare ingredients have not changed for centuries.

Do you think you will try one of the above skin treatments? Leave a comment below.

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Celebrity Skincare Products: Worth the Hype or Not

From Carmen Electra's GoGo Skincare to Pharrell's Humanrace, celebrities are now branching away from makeup and trying to convince you — the consumer — they know a thing or two about skincare. While some stars might understand the science behind healthy skin, there is a sneaking suspicion that most only want to pad their pocketbooks. 

There is nothing wrong with building your brand and starting a business; the problem comes when celebrities attempt to act like they are above the science — Gwyneth Paltrow, anyone? From Goop's nonsensical approach to wellness to Pharrell's claims of microtears, how much any celebrity knows about the formulations or properties of their brands or the efficacy of the products is questionable. 

Before you spend your hard-earned money on celebrity experiments, consider the ingredients, cost, and expertise of the person you purchase from. In most cases, celebrity lines are not worth the price you pay.

Perceived Value Versus Actual Value

Name recognition is the game. Celebrities want to capitalize on their star power while they can, and who can blame them. Unfortunately, in a rush to make money, many stars make significant mistakes in product design — consider Kylie Jenner's unwearable bathing suits.  

While skincare products do undergo some testing and regulation, it is not as much as prescription medications or treatments, meaning there is a loophole for making startling claims with no real evidence. For instance, there is a continuing trend of calling a product all-natural to encourage trust in a product. Unfortunately, even if a product is all-natural, which some are not, it doesn't mean you should use it on your skin. Sand or silica is natural, but it is a mistake to scrub it over your skin.  

When you go to purchase a product, look past the name, endorsements, and fancy marketing. Investigate the ingredients. Learn as much as you can about the science of skincare. 

By understanding the ingredients, you can better understand fair pricing. Most celebrity products are not worth the price tag. In many instances, they charge significantly over average prices for similar products, attempting to price them into the luxury market when they aren't luxury.

Dermatologist Versus Celebrity Opinion

When selecting skin care products, you want to avoid items with an overbearing smell because they often contain artificial colors and ingredients that can irritate the skin. Strong odors often point to chemical additives which can trigger certain skin conditions, like dermatitis, rashes, and other issues.  

A dermatologist is the only person you should trust when it comes to skincare recommendations. These professionals understand the science and medicine and understand when a product is not worth the packaging it's in.

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Loyalty Versus Smart Purchasing Decisions

Many fans love and respect famous people. However, not all celebrities have the same appreciation towards their fans. Integrity and trust are hard things to come by in business, especially when it comes to many celebrity products. Unfortunately, without stricter regulations and an absence of blind loyalty, little can be done.  

The best thing anyone can do is educate themselves. Please do not take a celebrity's word for skincare products, especially when they lack the expertise to have a sound opinion. Talk to your dermatologist or doctor instead.

What do you think about celebrity skincare products? Are they worth the hype? Comment below.

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The 5 Benefits of Blotting Sheets: Some Obvious, Some Not

As one of the first forays into makeup and skincare as a teenager, blotting papers were a staple for the oily skin years of high school and beyond. The thin, square tissues were and are highly absorbent, capable of clearing away access oils and leaving your face with a matte-like complexion. 

While many women left blotting papers behind with their high school days, now is the time to reconsider them. Over the past several years, blotting sheets or papers have become more sophisticated, with producers formulating the sheets with more ingredients, providing greater benefits to your skin. 

One of the many reasons women gave up on blotting papers was their effect on makeup, often rubbing it away or dulling and swearing it. The modern changes include formulas that still sop up excess oil, but now your makeup is left alone. Now, these helpful sheets have oil-fighting ingredients, like charcoal, willow bark, rice, flaxseed, and cotton, powder-containing papers to freshen up your appearance, and sustainable materials.  

While the assumption is that only those with oily skin can benefit from blotting papers, that is not the case. These magical little sheets offer several advantages.

1. Removing Excess Oils

Blotting papers maintain their essential function: to eliminate excess oil from the skin’s surface. While there are some cautionary tales about using blotting sheets too frequently, the newer iterations allow for frequent use without many of the problems associated with earlier versions, like dry skin or excess oil production. 

Newer papers help to moisturize and nourish the skin while removing unwanted oil and shine. When used properly, the blotters will restore a healthy matte finish to your complexion.

2. Improving Lipstick Longevity

Blotting paper can also help your lipstick last longer. The powder containing papers absorb surface oil but leave your lipstick. For the most impact, apply your lipstick, blot with the paper, and apply a second coat. Because the paper absorbs the emollients and oils from the lipstick, it will remove the sheen and leave the pigment, providing long-term coverage.

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3. Sealing or Setting Your Makeup

One of the most significant problems with using blotter sheets in the past involved makeup. Many times, women using the papers would notice the papers taking away the makeup or damaging the look. However, with powder-coated sheets and other ingredients, modern blotters can not only remove oil; they can set your makeup, taking away the shine and providing a more sophisticated matte finish.

4. Replacing Dry Shampoo

While not necessarily a typical use for blotting papers, they can act as a stand-in for your dry shampoo if you forget it on your way to the gym. After your workout, take a couple of papers and rub them on your scalp and hair to remove excess oils and sweat. The papers should help freshen up your locks.

5. Cleaning Your Phone

Granted, blotting sheets are designed for use on the skin, but the chemical makeup and ingredients of the sheets also make them ideal for cleaning your cellphone. People spend a lot of time on their phones, meaning that oil can transfer from the skin to the screen. Also, the oil will attract dirt and dust to the phone surface that transfers back to your face when in use. Using blotters on your phone cleans the screen, removing the risk of transference. 

Blotting sheets are among the most helpful skincare and cosmetic car tools. While you do not need to use them all the time, they are handy to have in your purse, bag, or pocket.

What do you think of blotters? Comment below.

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5 DIY Face Mask Recipes From Your Pantry

While going to the salon or spa for a facial is a nice luxury, it is slightly pricey. Thankfully, there is no need to spend extravagantly to make your skin glow, shrink your pores, or reduce inflammation or oiliness. You can accomplish the same outcomes as a professional facial by combining and applying some items from your pantry.

With the following DIY face mask recipes, you will find treatment for oily and irritated skin as well as cosmetic approaches to enhance your complexion without irritating your sensitive skin. However, follow the recipes exactly and use fresh ingredients.

1. Glamorous Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a nutrient-dense food containing antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E. This recipe can help you reduce the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and wrinkles while softening your skin. For this recipe, you will need:

  • 1 organic egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons oatmeal
  • 2 tablespoons organic, raw pumpkin puree

You will need to thoroughly mix the ingredients before applying them to the face and under the eyes. Leave the mixture on for 15 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

2. Honey-Coconut Cleanse

Coconut oil provides deep hydration for the skin, and honey offers a collection of antioxidants to cleanse the face. The honey-coconut cleanse recipe also calls for lavender oil, which, aside from being soothing to smell, helps soothe sensitive and irritated skin. For this recipe, you will need:

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 2 drops lavender oil
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey.

You will mix the ingredients thoroughly. Once mixed, apply the formula to your face using a brush. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off.

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3. Egg and Lemon Pore Reduction

While there is no way to close your pores, lemon and egg have astringent properties, which can tighten the skin, making pores less noticeable. This particular face mask recipe also calls for honey to moisturize the face, allowing for supple feeling skin. For this mask, you will need:

  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 egg white
  • Lemon juice

As usual, you will need to mix all ingredients before applying them to the face. After mixing the recipe, apply it to the face, avoiding the eyes.

4. Yogurt Hydrating Mask

Do you deal with dry, itchy skin? Using the combination of ingredients in this recipe, you will give your face a hydrating and replenishing bath. The olive oil and avocado will nourish your skin cells, while the honey and yogurt soften those dry areas. For this recipe, you will need:

  • 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 avocado

Mix all the ingredients and apply the mask. Wait a minimum of 10 minutes before rinsing with water.

5. Avocado-Cucumber Tango

For people with oily skin, finding the right face masks and skin treatments is a challenge. Thankfully, avocado can help adjust oil production and reduce inflammation, and cucumber helps moisturize while reducing acne and breakouts because it is a rich source of vitamin C. For this mask, you will need:

  • Mixed cucumber
  • Half an avocado

Combine the ingredients into a paste. Apply to the skin, let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse.

You do not have to spend money to look beautiful. The above recipes and corresponding ingredients can likely all be found in your pantry. Do you know of any other homemade face mask recipes? Leave a comment.