Beauty and Personal Grooming

Anyone who has struggled with acne as an adult knows that it’s the absolute worst. Unlike acne in your teenage years—where fluctuating hormones are largely to blame—adult acne can be triggered by an endless number of things, some of which aren’t always easy to identify.

Nature’s bounty provides us with a galaxy of things that we can use to beautify ourselves. For thousands of years, Indian women have been aware of this and have made the most of them for their beauty routines. Grandmother’s Pandora’s Box of beauty tricks consisted of many natural ingredients which are commonly available. While fruits, flowers and vegetables are often used in different beauty recipes, leaves are also invaluable as beauty aids . These include mostly leaves of mint, lemon, tulsi, henna, neem, drumsticks, lettuce etc.

There are legitimate reasons why tea tree oil deserves to be in your medicine cabinet. For those who don’t know, tea tree oil is an essential oil, also known as Melaleuca alternifoliais, and is a natural extract from a plant that is native to Australia.  For decades, people from all over the world have relied on tea tree oil to heal various ailments. The oil is inexpensive and easy-to-use, and provides plenty of benefits to its users.

Most of us remember our pubescent years as years related to acne problems. One would think that these disgusting pimples will go away after a person exits puberty and, while this is true in most cases, some individuals keep experiencing acne well through their adult age. This article will dig deeper into the more-common-than-you’d-guess issue of adult acne and guide you through prevention of this inconvenience. Stick with this article and you might just succeed in ridding yourself of this troublesome issue.

It is unfortunate that as humans, our skin doesn’t forget or forgive. Be it acne, hyperpigmentation, or freckles, the wounds of these skin disorders never seem to fade away easily. So then how can you get rid of such scars and blemishes? Is there any effective acne scar treatment available? How can you get a good acne treatment solution that cleanses and erases marks within few weeks? If you happen to see such dreadful and painful scars on the skin, you don’t have to bear with it. Read further to know the best acne scar treatments that will help you get a clear skin.

Every individual wishes to have flawless, radiating skin. Certain factors like pollution, unhealthy eating habits trigger the occurrence of acne. Acne and acne scars can affect the confidence level of people to a great extent. However, there is nothing to worry about it. There are several home remedies and solutions for acne. It is better to research about the types of acne, causes, and common myths prior to acne treatment. Even after taking over-the-counter medications, if the acne problem still persists, then it is better to consult a dermatologist for an effective acne treatment.

Acne is a common skin condition that plagues several people across the globe. It is a type of skin disorder which is painful, distressing and often leaves behind scars, after its treatment. You should treat acne at an early stage as with the passage of time, it becomes more severe and difficult to treat. There are different acne treatments for people who have oily skin and those with dry skin. In case, if you are not sure about your skin type, then probably you should consult a good dermatologist to discuss about your acne problem. A dermatologist is a skin doctor who specializes in treating certain types of skin conditions such as eczema, skin cancer, skin tumours, psoriasis, etc. Owing to their specialized training, a professional dermatologist is better suitable to treat certain types of skin conditions.

It is essential to maintain everything around you in a perfectly clean condition. Otherwise, you risk to seriously harm your health. And it is of the uttermost importance that you pay special attention to the hygiene of your body. And your face, being constantly exposed to the severities of the weather as well as dust and other unpleasant things, requires more thorough care. It should be regularly exfoliated, cleansed, and moisturised, in order to maintain its fresh look. And I am sure that when speaking of facial care, the first thing that pops into every girl's mind is the problem of coping with the obnoxious blackheads. Dear readers, it is my pleasure to tell you that after you read this article, you will no longer need to use the expensive products that promise excellent and long-lasting results, but usually turn out to be extremely ineffective. You will be able to make your own and they all contain ingredients that you certainly have in your home.

With over 17 million people worldwide suffering from acne, and over 80% of teens being affected by this debilitating curse, you would think that surely somebody could come up with a cure? Every year, over $100 billion is spent on non-prescription treatments designed to relieve sufferers of their symptoms, but what if there was a chance to stop it before it even took hold? What’s more, what if this miracle cure has been growing freely in your garden this whole time?

  Having breakouts on your skin?  Is your skin getting dry and becoming prone to acne? It's time to get the best moisturizer available around and get acne free skin. Choosing the best one is dependent on your skin type, it's always recommended to consult your dermatologist.

Natural is the way to go when it comes to your delicate skin. All those chemicals and peels destroy the layers of your skin and end up giving your more issues in the future. Fight this by using natural ways to fight your acne problem. Best of all, you probably have the ingredients already in your home! Here are five ways you can treat acne naturally and effectively:

Sometimes acne is simply a result of bad habits we’ve acquired over time.  If there is no hormonal cause for acne , by changing a few habits you can eliminate acne forever.  Here are 10 tips to help you:

Who can forget the classic clip from Animal House--the one where the late John Belushi fills his cheeks with mashed potatoes and proceeds to simulate the popping of an enormous pimple? As hilarious as that scene is, the laughter is bittersweet, as we all know the shame and pain that is acne. Anyone who has been afflicted with zits, blackheads, whiteheads, or plooks knows that getting rid of them is both frustrating and costly. Here are seven inexpensive remedies for spots, lurkers, blemishes, and…well, acne.

The beginnings of fine lines, age spots, and dull, dry skin are all part of normal aging, but with today’s technologies, they don’t have to be. If your skin has lost its luster and you’re noticing some new spots, you can get that old skin back with the use of a laser treatment. One of the most effective laser treatments to hit the market is the Fraxel laser. How it Works Fraxel lasers work differently from other lasers. Unlike most laser treatments which treat the entire surface of the skin, Fraxel lasers treat just a portion or fraction of the skin at a time. Thousands of microscopic lasers smaller than a hair follicle work to rejuvenate the skin (Fraxel). As a result of the lasers treating the skin, new, healthier skin is produced in order to replace the older, damaged skin. Because only portions of the skin are treated, recovery time is minimal.

You’re at a business meeting and all you can think of is how to scratch your back discreetly! Though not as embarrassing as face acne, back acne can be quite troublesome, especially once it begins to get itchy and sore. Back acne is more common among men than women; about 20% of all healthy adult males have some amount of back acne. However, back acne is not really a gender-specific condition as the main causes are hormonal changes and genetic factors.

Unfortunately, pimples on the forehead are very common - and for teenage girls in particular, the natural reaction is to try to disguise them by styling hair to cover them. This might be a good short-term fix, however it could actually make the pimples worse in the long run because not only could the natural oil from the hair exacerbate the problem but for those with sensitive skins, residues of hair products could also cause skin reactions.

These days I have been reading Maureen Lockhart’s  “Yoga for Youth, a young people's guide to a healthy life. ” and though the book is essentially about Yoga , Deep Breathing & Meditation , it also replete with yogic diet and  health tips. It’s a good read and I thoroughly recommend it to all Yoga lovers; I am reading the 1986 th Edition though. (I wasn’t able to locate this book online. You may contact India Book House for a hard copy. ) While skimming through the book, I stumbled upon these home beauty tips .

Acne leads to a lot of emotional upheaval. Whether you can call them zits,  pimples, whiteheads , blackheads , pustules or cysts, acne is hardly a laughing matter to the millions of people who suffer from it. Acne is almost considered as a normal part of growing up. While it affects majority of teenagers, it can also appear later in life. 85% or adolescents develop acne. Among adults, 12% women and 3% men have acne. No doubt, you have to get yourself treated by a dermatologist but medications and ointments alone won't do the trick. Along with the treatment, you should also follow these skin care tips and do's and don'ts to keep acne under control .

Common household ingredients such as Multani Mitti , Jaiphal (nutmeg), sandalwood (chandan ), red sandalwood (Rakta chandan ), Turmeric (Haldi) , Honey along with the wonder herbs such as Aloe   & Tulsi are great for acne-prone skin. Equipped with therapeutic & soothing properties, these heal pimples and also do away with  accompanying blemishes and scars, pretty quickly. Now everyone has heard about the humble condiment Hing (Asafoetida) and its innumerable medicinal uses and how it's used in several home-remedies to provide relief from all sorts of ailments. Particularly it's use as a digestive aid is well-known. But what most folks don't know is that it also helps with pimples . Now, I was quite skeptical of this one, but when I heard an Ayurvedic practitioner recommending it, I decided that I should try this home-remedy .

To all those gals with extremely oily & acne-prone skin, remember this tip. When you are preparing a DIY face pack, mix the ingredients with cucumber juice, tomato juice or plain water instead of milk for better results. (Contributed by Dhanya) Image: africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

When you have acne flare-ups or ongoing skin problems that affect your confidence, you’ll probably try just about anything to clear up your skin and get back to looking beautiful.  But you don’t necessarily need to spend beaucoup bucks to get the healthy glow you’ve been craving.  Of course there will be severe instances in which prescription treatments are required, but for most people there are adequate (and inexpensive) options at your local pharmacy that can provide for a workable skin-care solution.  But how do you know which type of treatment is right for you?  Here are a few clues that will help you figure it out.

As every woman ages, it is inevitable that no matter how many creams, sunscreens, or scrubs she uses, she will come out with creases, scars, and spots.  Even the highest quality products on the market won’t make wrinkles or acne disappear. There is hope, however, for regaining that fresh and vibrant look that each woman strives for when she wakes up in the morning. Recent studies have shown that laser treatments can effectively address many issues women have with their skin . One of the most effectively treated dermal maladies that can be addressed with laser therapy is acne. As though you didn’t already have enough worries with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne has somehow squeezed its way from your adolescence into your adulthood. One way to level the playing field and reduce the appearance of scars is to see your dermatologist about laser therapy.

It's freakingly annoying to see a red pimple, making its appearance, all of a sudden, on a prominent position on your face. The accompanying redness, swelling and  pus-filled whitehead makes it look even more ugly. But do resist the urge to pop it for you may end up with a far more uglier scar or blemish. Here's one home-remedy that has worked for me. Not only does it reduce the redness from pimples, but it also heals pimples faster and flattens them quickly without leaving ugly scars .

What can you do about that zit that sprouted overnight? Don’t pick it which is about the worst thing you can do to a pimple. You may squeeze something to the surface, but you’ll only end up squeezing the infection deeper into the skin. It could also result in a more serious infection. The bacteria-filled pus oozing from the insides of the pimples could spread all over your skin and this, in turn, could cause more pimples. It's best  to just leave them  until they go away on their own, unless, of course, you know the right way of popping a pimple ,  which actually does heal a pimple quickly.

Fact: This is true to some extent. When acne influenced skin is directly exposed to small amounts of sunlight, it can destroy bacteria that are responsible for acne. Also it may may give the pores a tighter appearance and a suntan can make acne blemishes much less visible  While you may end up thinking that sunlight is treating your acne, the  effect is only temporary and superficial. Even though mild sun exposure could prove helpful for certain stages of the pimple resolution process and dry out existing acne, it simply won't help prevent new ones!  In effect, such exposure can also be counter-productive. Sunlight directly stimulates the oil producing glands under the skin to secrete more sebum. Thus, your skin tends to get oilier which leads  to further clogging of skin pores, which result in new pimple formations.

  You might have heard about that weird gadget, an mp3 player from Japan, that supposedly clears up your zits as you listen to music. Now it's the turn of a bizzare iPhone application , developed by dermatologist Dr Greg Pearson, that allegedly claims to zap acne and wrinkles . 

I recently purchased Nature’s Essence Purifying Neem & Aloevera Face Wash and have been using it since last week. The Details: Ingredients: A soap free formulation, the chief ingredients in it are, Aloevera, Neem and turmeric . Neem is a known source for eliminating problem-inducing bacteria, Aloevera is an excellent moisture balance maintainer and Turmeric with its anti-bacterial properties keeps pimples at bay. What it claims: Prevents acne and pimples and deep cleanses all impurities from the pores. Everyday use advised for clear acne/pimple free skin with dew like freshness and softness. Suitable for all skin types. Usage: Moisten face, apply few drops of the face wash and work up lather with a circular motion. Wash off and pat dry. Use twice a day and follow it up with a lotion. My experience: It’s a nice one, not at all harsh but very gentle on my skin. I felt that it’s almost similar to Himalaya Neem Face Wash , but this one is more hydrating. It doe...

Pears Oil-Control Soap – it’s being promoted in a big way these days. But that’s not the reason why I picked up this soap. With the goodness of lemon flower extracts that are supposed to have astringent and oil-control properties, I felt that it’s a soap that would be just right for my acne-prone, oily skin. And indeed it is a wonderful product; I have been using it for several weeks and I love it. The soap itself is transparent and pale-greenish in colour; the aroma is quite pleasant and soothing to the senses and lingers on for quite sometime. And the best part - despite having astringent qualities, it didn’t dry my skin. And as claimed, it only cleared off excess oil from the skin while retaining the natural moisture and my skin felt fresh and clean after bath . For just Rs.24/- for a 75g bar, it’s a good buy. You can also purchase expensive ones  from Amazon, Pears Oil Control Bathing Bar, 75g or it's equivalent Pears Oil Clear Hypoallergenic - Non Comedogenic Soap 125 gm (...

* For acne: Drink lime, papaya and cucumber juice to cleanse your system. * For heartburn : A combin ation of carrot and cucumber juice to cleanse your system. * For asthma : Try juice of apricot, lemon, pineapple, peach, carrot, radish and celery. * For obesity : Lemon, grapefruit, orange, pineapple, papaya, tomato and lettuce juice are recommended. * For detoxification : Wheatgrass juice removes toxic metals from the body and restores vitality. (Guest post by Smitha)

I happened to use Roopgarva Face pack from Gayatri Herbals and quite liked it. With a unique blend of pure herbs such as neem, tulsi (basil), jesthmadh etc and the wonderful multani mitti that removes the dirt and grime from the skin, it makes your facial skin look thoroughly cleansed and glowing. Good for oily, acne-prone skins and in summers. Roopgarva face pack

I don’t like to use an anti-bacterial soap as a regular bathing soap, mainly because I belong to the school of thought that does not advocate the regular usage of anti-bacterial/ antimicrobial soaps on a perfectly healthy skin as it tends to interfere with the normal skin flora and disturbs the ecology and health of the skin. Besides television ads have also impressed upon me that anti-bacterial soaps are mostly meant for athletes, wrestlers and those who do rigorous and strenuous work/exercise. However, anti-bacterial soaps may prove advantageous to those people whose skins are prone to bacterial infections as also to those who live in insect/bug /mosquito infested localities and folks who suffer from excessive perspiration and body odor .

These face packs from Ayur are ideal for oily and acne-prone skin in summers. I have used these packs several times before and they have worked for me. But, please test them on a small area of your skin before using them on your face and neck. It’s quite natural to develop rashes if you are allergic to any ingredient in them; so be forewarned. Tulsi face pack Ayur Tulsi face pack The herb Tulsi is known to fight and ward off skin infections and as such this pack is found to be good enough for normal to oily skins. Sandal face pack Ayur Sandal face pack Sandalwood is a coolant and anti-bacterial, fights prickly heat and acne and makes the skin glow. Neem face pack Ayur Neem face pack This highly antiseptic and anti-bacterial face pack is most effective for acne-prone skins and heals pimples. (See also: Himalaya neem face pack: review ) Mint face pack Ayur mint face pack This aromatic face pack with its cooling and refreshing properti...

A few years back, a really bad attack of pimples had left behind a few scars on my face. At that time, I had purchased ‘No Marks Cream’. If I remember correctly, this cream had several natural ingredients such as Aloe , Damask Rose (Rosa damascena), Turmeric (Haldi) , Sandalwood (Chandan) , Tulsi (Basil) and wheat germ oil to name a few and besides doing away with scars and other blemishes , this cream’s formulation was supposed to diminish and gently fade under eye dark circles , post pimple marks, minor burn marks and stretch marks.

We all have grown up hearing this: “Eating chocolates and oily foods cause breakouts. So if you have acne-prone skin, avoid it like plague.” I have always had my own doubts about the veracity of this statement. I have an acne-prone skin and I have observed that whenever I eat chocolates or other fried stuff, it didn’t seem to have any obtrusive effect on my skin. What I mean to say is that it neither worsened already existing acne nor did it cause sudden breakouts when my skin was clear. And indeed my observation was correct. Recent studies have shown that eating chocolates and grease-laden food may pile on the calories , but blaming oily food alone for acne breakouts is incorrect. Leading dermatologists believe that pimples are caused by several factors like extreme stress, heredity or hormonal disturbances and not by oily food or chocolates. In fact, it has been found that dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants and hence is beneficial for health.

A few months back, one of my friends gave me a mask called Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque . And I must admit that it is simply fabulous and is extremely effective on my oily, acne-prone skin. Designed to dry up acne /pimples, scrub off blackheads and shrink enlarged pores , it certainly lives up to its claims. It has a strong mint smell, which you may find rather pleasing, if you love minty fragrances. And when you apply it to your clean face and neck , at first you experience a cooling sensation and then a slight stinging feeling which disappears as the masque firms and hardens to draw impurities from your pores. Even if your oily / combination skin does not break out and is otherwise problem-free, this masque is still great for you as it also acts as a refreshing ‘ facial ’, making your face feel very tight, thus relaxing your tired muscles and easing tension lines on the face and neck . You can then wash it off using a warm wash cloth and your skin is left feeling fresh and cl...

Aspirin has been around for a long time and its health benefits are wide and varied. Aspirin , or acetylsalicylic acid is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains , as an antipyretic to reduce fever , and as an anti-inflammatory medication. Aspirin's greatest benefit is reducing cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes. According to the American Heart Assoc. virtually all women are at risk of heart disease and doctors should more strongly consider prescribing a daily aspirin for their female patients. There is growing evidence to suggest regular aspirin use may reduce cancer and dementia as well. Investigators from the Women's Health Study have reported important new findings demonstrating that aspirin reduces the risk of a first stroke in women. When given to someone immediately after a heart attack, aspirin decreases death by 25%.

Rosacea is a common but little-known disorder of the facial skin that affects mostly fair-skinned people. It’s often mistaken for acne. While the cause of rosacea is unknown and there is no cure, today medical help is available that can control the signs and symptoms of this potentially life-disruptive disorder. Some symptoms include redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead, small visible blood vessels on the face, bumps or pimples on the face and watery or irritated eyes. Britain ’s leading nutritionist Jane Clarke has some terrific advice for treating rosacea. She advocates the use of zinc pills (zinc sulphate) as it has been found that people given large doses of zinc supplements (upto 300 mg) have experienced an improvement in their condition. But as large doses of zinc supplements can cause side-effects and stomach problems such as cramps , indigestion and diarrhea , she advises that it is always better to seek an expert’s opinion about the suitable dosage. She also ...

You have zits all over your face and desperately yearn for a clear complexion. You also love listening to music. Then this is the gadget that will fulfill both your needs. A Tokyo based company has come up with a weird MP3 player which claims to zap pimples instantly. According to this source , it’s a pretty ordinary 1.2-ounce mpion MP3 player that holds only 128MB of music (approx 20 mins), but promises to clear your face of zits while pumping melodious tunes into your ears. Apparently, you have to touch the device to the offending area as you listen to tunes, flip the switch to minus, and hold for 5-10 minutes. Allegedly, the negative ions open pores and replenish moisture. Then you have to flip it to positive and hold to reduce oil and close your pores back up. The price is rather steep and it costs around 21000 yen, which works out to about $185. Does this gadget actually work on pimples? Absolutely, no idea.

Astringent lotions are more suitable for persons with oily or greasy skin and acne-prone skin. Astringent over-usage should be avoided, say the dermatologists, as it is not a good way to help normal skin exfoliate. It you do use it, don’t take your cotton pad and go over it until the cotton pad is clean. That’s overdoing it – it just irritates the skin and removes the protective layer that helps to keep the water in the skin and you will end up with dry, irritated skin. So just go over it lightly. Help yourself to some of these do-it-yourself astringent lotions if yours is an extremely oily or greasy skin with a tendency to develop pimples. Rose astringent lotion Rose petals 100 gms Distilled water 2 cups Sodium benzoate -a pinch Method : Boil the water and soak the rose petals in it. Then mix sodium benzoate in the mixture. Apply with cotton pads. Sandalwood astringent lotion Ingredients: Sandalwood oil – 7-8 tbsp Sodium bicarbonate - 2 ...

Sandalwood (Chandan) is highly efficacious in the treatment of pimples. Its antiseptic and germicidal properties make it ideal for treating acne and stubborn blemishes and spots . Sandalwood paste to treat adolescence acne Very few adolescents can escape from some kind of acne or spots in their teenage years. So for teenagers here’s a mask which help to dry those pimples. Ingredients: 2 tablespoonfuls of gram flour ( Besan ) Rose water Listerine -1/2 tsp Water – 2 tsp Sandalwood paste – 1 tsp Method: Mix all the ingredients well. Apply on face with a swab stick. Let the mask dry on the face. Moisten it by splashing cold water on the face. Then, with eyes closed, remove it with a wet face towel and wash off thoroughly. Another simple way to smear sandalwood paste mixed with a pinch of turmeric. Allow it to dry off and then wash it off. This will dry and heal pimples quickly. Other masks and packs with sandalwood to treat acne # Face pack 1 I...

Acne causes a lot of self-consciousness and misery in youth and elderly alike. Several factors contribute to its sporadic eruption and quite a number of ways are suggested to reduce its severity. Certain foods are supposed to trigger acne. So better watch your diet. Earlier it was chocolate and fried foods which were accused of causing break-outs and aggravating your acne. Now it is proved beyond doubt that they do not have any role whatsoever in giving you zits. Let’s take a quick glance at some of the foods which might worsen acne.

Acne , the most common skin disorder afflicts people of all ages, though it is most common among adolescents. It causes a lot of self-consciousness and misery. When your lovely face is marred by a crop of ugly acne and the unsightly scars that follow, don’t try to hide it under layers of thick make-up. This will make the acne even worse by clogging the pores. Take acne and other related skin problems in your stride. A daily regimen of skin care and a little knowledge about its cause, along with wise diet habits will help in reducing its severity. Here’s a home based remedy for treating mild acne with a few essential oils . Ingredients: Two drops of lavender, Four drops of chamomile One drop of lemon ½ tsp of carrot Method: A) Clean your skin with a mild soap and warm water. Rinse thoroughly in cold water. B) Apply the oils that have been mixed together. Massage it in without scrubbing your skin or squeezing the pimples. C) Apply hot compresses m...

Acne is often the bane of a pretty face. It is painful more emotionally than physically, for the scar that it leaves behind can last for a lifetime, adding to one’s miserable look & feeling. No doubt many expensive skin care clinics have mushroomed in ever nook & corner, offering to clear all the scars & blemishes on the face, but they are very expensive & charge exorbitant price for each sitting; not everyone can afford them. So why not try out this simple skin care regimen to minimize the damage caused by acne & as far as possible prevent its eruption.