Tag: Excess Oils

Self Tanning Lotions-We Are An Inventive Society

Hey, what can we say, we are an inventive society! If we like the way our skin looks with a tan but getting a tan is dangerous we will just develop and use self tanning lotions instead!

Of course, in life, few things are that easy. Self tanning lotions can work great but there is also usually a bit of a learning curve.

There can be a technique in applying them the right way and making them look good.

With so many different brands on the market, not to mention the various hues you can get, it may take a little trial and error until you have the practice down pat.

In this article I will provide you with some easy to follow tips that may make it a little easier for you to get that “sun kissed glow”… from a bottle.

Here we go:

1. First things first, like a painter you have to prepare your canvas which in this case is your skin.

Make sure you skin is clean and dry. Removing excess oils can help the tanner adhere to the skin better.

This is why you don’t want to use a moisturizer too soon before applying the tanner either, if you do it won’t soak into the skin as readily.

2. Exfoliate to remove as much excess dead skin as you possibly can. Again, this will make it easier for the tanner to absorb into the skin and provide a more even tone with less of a blotchy look.

3. Many people recommend you start at your feet and work your way up.

That way the tanner can dry completely without you bending over and possibly smearing it.

4. Either wear gloves or wash your hands frequently throughout the procedure. Otherwise you can end up with freakishly tanned looking hands.

5. Apply the tanner in several coats if you want a darker look as opposed to one thick coat.

This tends to look more natural and will usually prevent a “gloppy” look.

6. Tanners tend to dry pretty quickly so make sure you work fast. Don’t get distracted when applying your self tanner.

7. Wait a minimum of one half hour between layers or before sitting down on furniture or getting dressed or you might make a really big mess.

8. And last, but not least, to keep that sun kissed look for longer try to reapply the tanner every few days.

Do a light exfoliation before you reapply the tanner to maximize the absorption each time you reapply.

You can also minimize how much gets washed off in the shower by rubbing a little bit of baby oil on your skin right before your shower.

This may help eliminate some of the “run off” of your tanner while you are in the shower.

That’s pretty much it, not exactly rocket science is it? Still, there is a technique to it if you want it to look as natural as possible.

To make sure you get the result you want, take some time to experiment. The last thing you want to do is to try to apply a tanner for the first time right before a big event.

You sure don’t want to show up for your big day with an orange, blotchy looking tan.

Practice your technique first when using self tanning lotions for the best look possible.

Dry Shampoo-Shortcuts To Everyday Tasks

I guess that it’s no surprise that our lives are busier today and we need to find shortcuts to our everyday tasks as much as possible. One of those everyday tasks is washing our hair. Sometimes it becomes necessary to take shortcuts and when that time comes you can turn to dry shampoo to help save the day.

The concept is simple, you apply a little of this powder to your hair, allow it to reach your scalp where it can soak up any excess oils, then you brush it out. Quick and simple.

There are many scenarios in life where having, and using, dry shampoo can be worthwhile. In this article I will give you some ideas of the convenience of this product as well as some pros and cons in regards to using these types of products.

1. For many of us, our days our very long. It simply isn’t practical to run home after work, but before the gym, and then again before we meet our friends out for dinner and drinks. But that doesn’t mean your look may not need to be freshened up a bit.

That is where the non water method for hair cleaning can come in so handy. The products themselves are light weight and very transportable so you can keep some in a purse, briefcase or gym bag.

Since you don’t need water, all you need to do to make the most out of this product is to duck into the nearest rest room and spend a few minutes and suddenly, your look is fresh and clean.

2. One of the biggest pros, is what has been listed in the point above: convenience. You don’t have to invest time to washing your hair. Of course, most of us (women at least) know it’s not the washing that takes the time it’s the drying and styling afterwards that is so time consuming.

So, being able to get the “just washed hair” look without the investment of time is a really nice time saver during the day. That is the biggest pro about this product.

3. The biggest con is the fact that this is only a short term fix. It just isn’t the same as actually washing your hair. It is a great stop gap until you have more time, but it won’t replace your daily or twice daily shampoo’s.

There can also be the argument that your hair isn’t really clean after a dry shampoo even though it may look and smell clean.

Some people may have a problem with this. They may prefer to invest the time and know that their hair is actually clean as opposed to just “freshened”.

One other point in the “con” column is the fact that you need to be careful about allergies to a certain product that may result in a rash or sensitive area on the scalp.

Also, this product is a case of more may not be better. If you apply too much you may just look worse. It may leave a dusty residue on your hair or scalp that may make your hair look even dirtier than it did before you started!

Using dry shampoo can be a helpful time saver between shampoos but I would recommend that you try a few brands first to see which ones you like and make sure they don’t irritate your scalp. Also, knowing how much to use is important so you may want to give it a dry run at home where you can rinse it out if you need to.

What Causes of Acne?

Although much has already been researched about acne, there is still no clear preventive measure or even a treatment procedure that will complete eradicate its occurrence. This is perhaps because acne is not caused by just one factor but a host of factors that are all interconnected, contributing to the end product. To cure it, one need to take care of every consideration and to tell you the truth, there are a lot.

So what exactly causes acne?

Before going into the mysteries and procedures of acne occurrence, one must first determine what is acne. Acne is a skin condition characterized by the occurrence and presence of bumps on the skin. These bumps may be a whitehead; a blackhead, which is a whitehead with a black center; some pustules, which often have yellow or white center filled with pus and some nodes. A ski condition that involves only one or two pimples or a condition that you can count your pimples in your hands is not acne but just the eruption of the skin.

Acne can occur in all ages, although teenagers are often plagued by it because of changes in their bodies during the adolescent period. Adult acne, actually is quite prevalent, affecting 25 percent of men in their mid-twenties to their early forties and 50 percent of women in the same age range.

Acne occurs when the pores of the skin is clogged by excess oils, dead skin cells that line up the pores and dirt. This often happens when the hair follicle in the skin is trapped inside by sebum and dead cells. When these three factors interact with each other, eruptions may occur. When the acne bacteria, propionibacterium acnes, which is actually part of the skins natural environment, mix with the excess sebum, it will multiply and eventually lead to skin eruptions.

Scientists believe that acne is largely due to the change in the levels of androgenic hormones in the body, the hormone that is associated with the male and with growth and development. When testosterone is produced in the body, the hormone is metabolized in the skin producing dihydrotestosterone. It is this chemical that causes the sebaceous glands to produce excess oils on the skin.

Although, sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria are the main culprits, there are some factors that also contribute in the development of acne. One of these factors is medications or any chemicals that are put on the skin. Lets face it, there are skins that are too sensitive for their own good. This is why it is important that one consults first a dermatologist before putting chemicals on the skin.

Another risk factor for acne is the changes in the body system, which often occurs during pregnancy, menstruation and other hormonal abnormalities.

Although propionibacterium acnes, the skins resident and natural bacteria is already present in the skin, there are other unwanted bacteria that may attack the skin. Inflammation occurs when the body sends white blood cells to fight off the bacteria and gets clogged in the pores.

Although not proven conclusively yet, there are some who believe that stress can also contribute in the development of acne. This may be tied up with the fact that stress in the body may also wrought changes in the internal body system, which in turn can trigger abnormal hormonal response.

Step by Step Acne Skin Care

Acne prone skin is something that you have to carefully treat as the slightest mistake can cause an irritation or an allergic reaction that can exacerbate the condition rather than cure it.

Contrary to popular myth, acne is not caused by just dirt and grime on the skin. One can be the most hygienic but you can still develop acne. Perhaps one of the reasons why acne is so hard to combat is the fact that it is caused by a lot of factors that all contribute to its development.

Acne actually starts off with unwanted oils on the skin that tend to clog the pores. These excess oils are produced by the bodys hormones. This is one of the reasons why there are people whose skin are not pimple-prone. The oil on the skin is the initial factor that contributes in the development of acne. Another factor is the shape of the pore, which restricts the flow of oil in the skin. When the pores are abnormally shaped, it tends to encase the oil all the more inside, leading to build up and eventually to acne eruptions.

Dead skin cells that line up the pores and the dirt in the skin also interact with the oil causing clogging, which exacerbates the condition. Another factor is the presence of the bacteria propionibacterium acnes, which actually thrives in an oily environment.

Although it was mentioned that acne is not necessarily caused by unhygienic ways, this is not a reason to clean the face. A clean face will of course lessen the risk of further eruptions. For most people, a gentle water soluble cleanser is recommended especially for people who have ultra sensitive skin that can be irritated by the smallest of things.

Another advantage of a water soluble cleanser is the fact that no trace will be kept after washing. Some soaps tend to remain on the face and will only clog the pores, thereby leading to skin eruptions.

The next step to taking care of the skin is to remove the excess oils. This can be achieved by using facial masks at night and rice papers during the day. One must be careful though as some chemicals and products may irritate the skin. Before you use anything on your skin, it is best that you consult your dermatologist.

Another step towards acne free skin is exfoliation. This is done to remove the dead skin cells in the pore lining as these contribute in the clogging. Another function that exfoliation provides is skin renewal, wherein the old skin will be replaced by a new one. Products that contain 1% to 2% beta hydroxy acid (BHA) or 8% alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) are often recommended by dermatologists.

As a rule of thumb, BHA is actually more effective than AHA especially in penetrating through the pores. However, there are some people who are either allergic to BHA or have too sensitive skins for the chemical, so AHA is the next in line that doctors recommend.

Disinfecting the skin and killing off the bacteria in the pores is another crucial step in acne skin care. Although there are a lot of products in the market, most if not all contain the ingredient Benzoyl Peroxide, which is proven to be the most effective in fighting the bacteria.