Home facial foul-ups

Facials are great-no doubt about it. They spring clean your pores and rebalance your skin to give a glowing look. Now a day, do-it-yourself home facials are a part of many women’s beauty regimen. What you don’t know about doing your own facials can hurt you. No matter what condition your skin is in, too much of a good thing (i.e. daily facials) will increase your problems. Here is how to do it right while avoiding the pitfalls.

Steaming: It should never take more than 10 minutes to adequately soothe, and release impurities through perspiration. Wait a few moments before placing your face over steam to avoid burning sensitive skin. A vaporizing type of machine, designed specially for facial steaming, is best in that it controls the temperature, as well as the intensity, of the vapor emitted. Keep your face at least 6 inches from the water surface.
Scrubbing: Avoid traditional cleansing grains (available in powders, pastes and bars), which usually contain ground-up pumice and shells that scratch rather than smooth skin. Instead, try a gentler traditional scrub.
Squeezing: Never squeeze blemishes yourself, while doing a home facial. Concentrated pressure does not purge impurities-it weakens pore walls causing oils to leak into surrounding tissue. Improper pinching and squeezing actually distributes oils further into glands which will lead to an increase in flare-ups, say dermatologists.
Masks: Never use ‘peel off’ versions too many days in a row-that’s too harsh on delicate skin. Mud-based varieties are best for most skin types due to the substance’s natural ability to draw out impurities. Remember to take into account not only the skin type when applying a mask, but your complexion’s immediate condition, whether it acne prone, too dry or sensitive.
Moisturize: Even if your fear that a moisturizer is synonymous with pore clogging oil, avoid using antiseptic to tone your skin in the final stages of a facial. Your skin will eventually pay the price for swabbing with alcohol based products. The best toner is actually the left over water from your steaming, provided it has cooled down. It is recommended rinsing with this water to finish your facial.

See also: Baths / 5 golden rules of skin care/ Lemon as a beauty aid / Milk for health & beauty / Simple ways of acquiring a clear & blemish free skin / Lemon as a beauty aid / Milk for health & beauty / Buttermilk for beauty / Aloe vera, the wonder herb / Banana-medicinal and cosmetic value/Cucumber for beauty and health/Beauty Masks for a glowing complexion

The ache of acne (pimples)

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.

Natural remedies for dark circles around your eyes

Dark circles around your eyes. How unsightly they look and even your best dress and layers of make-up sometimes does not quite succeed in concealing them! Blame it on your genes or your lifestyle, but, you cannot deny the fact that these are a blot on your beauty . And they become more prominent as you age. Let’s just debunk some of the myths as well as unearth some of the facts about the causes of these ‘ panda eyes ’. Dark circles under eyes usually are temporary and not a medical concern. You may be surprised to learn that fatigue usually isn't the cause of dark circles. Instead, the most common cause is nasal congestion. When your nose is congested, veins that usually drain from your eyes into your nose become widened (dilated) and darker.

Home remedies for common cold

Common cold is a very common malady which affects people during monsoons. (Also see the post Beauty and body care in monsoon for a monsoon beauty regimen.) It can be caused by any one of more than 200 viruses. Normally it is confined to the nose and throat although the virus can infect the larynx and lungs. It is said that there is no particular cure for colds, they are naturally relieved within a week. Treatment is just an attempt to relieve its symptoms such as headache, stuffy nose, sore-throat and congestion. Paracetamol tablets are generally taken to get relief from these symptoms.

Beating stress – some tips

It is very difficult to come across a happy, contented face in a crowd these days. Stress has become a way of life with people these days. Sure, we all need to be a little tense once in a blue moon. After all it acts as a positive force and helps us get things done. But when tension becomes a habit with us and we are unable to cope up with it, we say we are undergoing stress. Some people are simply born more tense than others. Children of over-anxious parents generally grow up to be more anxious than the others.

For a good night's sleep

Everyone of us, at one time or the other has been pestered by sleep problems. Sleeplessness could be transient and short-term or chronic. When it becomes a chronic problem it takes the form of insomnia and requires special attention. The first noticeable signs of poor sleeping habits are dark circles under the eyes pale skin, hair loss. Getting enough sleep is a must. Without proper sleep, your mind does not work as clearly and efficiently. You feel drained physically and mentally. Exactly how much you need to sleep depends on your own individual internal system. While some can do with 4-5 hours; most of us need 7 to 9 hours of sleep. But instead of reaching for a pill or a glass of wine, it’s wise to try out these time-honoured remedies and lifestyle changes.