Skin Care: Do Not Confuse Psoriasis With Eczema

Posted on January 10th, 2010 by

Author: James Kronefield
Source: articledashboard.com

Two of the skin diseases most frequently seen by dermatologists are psoriasis and eczema. In the public mind, these two skin disorders are often confused, and for good reason. Even dermatologists can sometimes have difficulty identifying which condition is present in a patient. Indeed, eczema and psoriasis can appear to look similar. Both show up in patchy areas that can become very itchy.

However, there are some distinguishing characteristics between the two that make it simpler to recognize which condition is present and to enable an accurate diagnosis and course of treatment for each.

The Fundamental Differences Between Psoriasis and Eczema

Psoriasis: Psoriasis is characterized by reddish lesions accompanied by silvery scaling that flakes off, causing the skin beneath to bleed. This form of psoriasis is called, plaque psoriasis, is the type most frequently diagnosed. The scales are commonly referred to as plaques, flakes or scales.

Actually, the scales are excess skin produced when certain substances in the body become unbalanced, and cause skin cells to grow out of control. In severe cases skin cells grow at a rate up to 1,000 faster than normal growth.

Another, less common, form of this skin disorder is called Guttate Psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis appears more often in children and young adults, showing as small, red bumps the size of drops of water on the skin. It usually appears suddenly, often several weeks after an infection such as strep throat.

Eczema: While eczema may resemble dry skin that also itches, it does not usually include the flaking quality associated with psoriasis. Again, psoriasis tends to be characterized by raised red spots that are rough, and tend to flake as they itch.

Eczema is generally erupts in response to environmental factors such as exposure to products containing harsh chemicals. Psoriasis, on the other hand, usually has a genetic link, and is a response to factors occurring inside of the body.

Who is suffering from these skin disorders can be a good sign of whether the affliction is eczema or psoriasis. As a general rule, psoriasis tends to strike adults most often, while eczema is more commonly seen in children.

Both psoriasis and eczema are maddening, inconvenient, irritating and embarrassing skin diseases presenting coping difficulties for both adults and children. Under any circumstances, a visit to a dermatologist is a must to address diagnosis and treatment options.

Tags: acne, anti aging, care, Natural, skin

Know Your Skin!

Posted on January 9th, 2010 by

Author: Karin Schulz
Source: isnare.com

The skin is the largest organ of our body. How you feel inside is reflected by your skin. Lifestyle, diet, seasons, environmental changes, stress at work, fluctuating hormone levels, age and of course genetical predeposition, all these things take effect on the appearance of your skin. Skin appearance on the other hand influences how we feel about ourselves and how we interact with other people. This interaction often defines our self esteem, which in turn again can take effect on our skin.

We all are looking for the right skin care to influence this circle for the best. It is important for us to understand that not only skin care products differ, but also everybody’s skin. We live in different climates, eat, sleep and exercise differently, and have different genetical redepositions. A product which is excellent for one person may show very poor results or even have negative impact on another person’s skin.

Skin care products can help to clean, moisten, revitalize and protect your skin and can bring great relief to some of the stress your skin has to deal with every day and every night, but you need to learn how your skin reacts to the many inside and outside factors.

Knowing your skin is key.

Usually, you get to hear that you have either sensitive, dry, normal or oily skin or some combination thereof, which – as a general statement – is not sufficient. Different parts of your face show different skin characteristics.

Some areas of your face could be quite oily and tend to be acne prone, while other parts of your face feel very dry at the same time. The center of the forehead, the nose, the chin and areas of the cheeks – the so called T-zone – have more oil glands and may need to be treated with a different formula than other parts of your face.

In problematic cases you will require a set of products for different areas of your face and sometimes even a different set of products for the same areas when seasons change. Our skin condition is changing often and we need to adjust our skin care routines and the skin care products to these changing needs. You may find different skin appearances based on where you live, the time of the year and many other circumstances that you may not be able to control. Pay close attention to the changes in your daily life and how your skin reacts to them. This is the first and most important step towards finding the right skin care product and the right skin care routine for you.

In addition there are several important skin care rules that you need to follow at all times:

1. Protect your skin from sun exposure! The sun is damaging your skin, promotes premature aging and is a primary cause for skin cancer. Always apply sunscreen before going outside – period. Check your skin regularly and visit your dermatologist for a skin examination once a year. Sunscreen needs time to get absorbed, so make sure to apply the product at least 15 minutes before any sun exposure. Always put sunscreen on your kids!

2. Do not smoke! Active and passive(!) smoking causes serious damage to your skin. Besides its negative impact on other organs and the overall blood circulation in your body, there is scientific evidence that smoking advances the breakdown of elastic fibers in your skin and promotes yellow and artificially thickened looking skin. Just another reason to quit!

3. Be gentle to your skin! A common mistake in skin care is the use of too aggressive products and treatments. Avoid irritating ingredients and excessive scrubbing. Cleansers do not have to tingle to be effective and should never hurt!

Tags: care, cosmetic, oily, sensitive, skin

Skin Care Cosmetics – Are They Helpful Or Harmful?

Posted on December 30th, 2009 by

Author: Mark Dalebr
Source: articledashboard.combr
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Is the use of skin care cosmetics helpful, or are they harmful to us?

Healthy and beautiful skin is a great confidence booster. Some people have natural beauty and dont tend to use any skin care cosmetics, whereas there are others who just dont use skin care cosmetics due to a number of reasons. Some people feel that skin care cosmetics can harm their skin, and therefore choose not to use then.

However, there are a very large number of people (both men and women) who do use skin care cosmetics as part of their daily routine. This is why the business of cosmetic products is booming!

So then, can the use of skin care cosmetics be helpful, or can they be harmful to us?

Opinions seem divided, but one thing is for sure – Looking beautiful and healthy is surely nice and very desirable. On the other hand, too much skin care cosmetics can surely be harmful (as such, excess of almost anything is harmful). So, what do we do?

The first thing is to formulate (and follow) a skin care routine that will help keep your skin look and feel healthy, as well as clean and bacteria free. The general recommendation is to cleanse and moisturise your skin every day, and to tone and occasionally exfoliate as and when needed.

Beauty enhancing cosmetic products on the other hand can be used as part of your daily skin care routine, or be applied only on special occasions, for example when attending a party.

However, before using any skin care cosmetic (or indeed any other cosmetic) it is very important to select the right product for your skin type. Here is a set of five rules that you should follow when selecting any skin care cosmetic:

1. The general rule is to use products that suit your skin type. This is true both for the routine products and for the skin care cosmetic. So check the label to see what it says. If you have dry skin for example, go for the products that explicitly say for dry skin only. General products will normally say something like for all skin types.

2. Test the skin care cosmetic before using it. This can be done by applying the skin care cosmetic on a small patch of skin that is not easily noticeable, for example on the ear lobes. This will allow you to check for a reaction of the product on your skin before applying it to a large area.

3. Check the ingredients of the skin care cosmetic for chemicals that you are allergic to. Do not use products that are very harsh on skin, for example products with high alcohol concentrations. These types of cosmetics might work once or twice, but can cause longer-lasting damage to your skin.

4. More is not better. Read the instructions and ensure that you apply the products in right quantity. Also, be gentle with your skin and follow the right procedures for the application of skin care products. Rubbing too hard or trying to squeeze a pimple can lead to permanent damage (such as scaring) to your skin.

5. Finally, if you have a skin disorder (such as acne), you should consult a dermatologist before using any type skin care cosmetic. Again, apply rule 2 if you have a skin disorder to ensure that the cosmetic doesnt cause a reaction.

Remember to follow these 5 basic rules and you will have trouble-free use of skin care cosmetics./pbr
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Tags: acne, care, cosmetics, skin, Skincare

Skin Care Home Remedies

Posted on December 21st, 2009 by

Author: Elizabeth Kielybr
Source: isnare.combr
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Natural homemade recipes for your skin are simple to make and cost-effective. What you put on your skin is just as important as what you eat. Commercial products often contain chemicals that are absorbed by your skin finding their way into the bloodstream which can be harmful to your overall health.

Virgin coconut oil/butter makes for a good moisturizer by providing a protective layer that locks in natural moisture. Coconut oil solidifies at temperatures below 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the coconut butter in small lip balm or eye cream jars or any small sterilized jar. For a lip balm, use coconut butter on its own or add peppermint or spearmint oil. As an acne treatment, add a couple of drops of tea tree, lavender, or patchouli oil. For wrinkles, add rose, orange or patchouli oil. To treat eczema, add chamomile, geranium, or orange oil. To treat broken capillaries, add rose, palmarosa, or parsley oil. To treat cellulite, add grapefruit, tangerine, or orange oil. For stretch marks, add palmarosa or neroli oil. To treat burns, add geranium, patchouli or lavender oil.

For sunburned skin, break open a leaf of an Aloe Vera plant and smooth onto the skin. The gel is also good for other types of burns and has soothing, cooling, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Strawberry juice, cucumbers and avocados are also soothing to sunburned skin.

For tired eyes, place cucumber slices over your eyes. For dark circles around your eyes, place cooled tea bags over your eyes.

For a homemade facial toner, mix green tea, chamomile or ginseng tea (made with mineral water or distilled water) with lavender or lemon oil. Green tea is rich in antioxidants which fight free radicals that damage and age the skin. Green tea is said to diminish fine lines. Lavender oil is a good toner and lemon oil is a good rejuvenator and toner. Add Vitamin C crystals as a preservative and antioxidant. MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane) is a natural source of organic sulfur good for the skin. Add MSM crystals to your toner or eat high sulfur foods such as kale or watercress.

Prick a capsule of Vitamin A, E, or wheat germ oil and smooth directly onto your skin, add to coconut, almond or apricot oil, or to your toner. Vitamin A is a potent antioxidant and Vitamin E is said to slow down the aging process. Almond oil soothes and lubricates the skin. Apricot oil protects and softens the skin. Wheat germ oil promotes skin elasticity.

For a moisturizing and refreshing mask, mix avocado with shredded cucumber. Avocados are rich in protein and Vitamin A. Cucumbers are cooling and cleansing. Use a mashed banana for a skin firming mask.

To lighten age spots, rub lemon directly onto your skin.

For a body powder, mix cornstarch and baking soda with your favorite essential oil. For a foot powder, mix cornstarch, baking soda and tea tree or peppermint oil. Baking soda acts as a deodorizer and soothes the skin. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial, and fungicide. Peppermint oil is soothing to the feet and swollen ankles.

Drinking plenty of water, eating raw fruits and vegetables, and getting plenty of rest are one of the best ways to achieving healthy and radiant skin. What goes into your body is reflective on your skin.br
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Tags: beauty, care, homemade, recipes, skin

Skin Care And Cosmetics To Improve Your Looks

Posted on December 13th, 2009 by

Author: Rohit Choprabr
Source: isnare.combr
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Skin care and cosmetics are an indispensable part of a womans life. While women may be ridiculed for paying undue attention to their appearance and often be accused of being vain, it is a fact that skin care cosmetics play an important role in keeping the skin healthy. They have come to acquire such an important part in a womans daily life that many women cannot even dream of doing without them. Skin care cosmetics form an essential component of a daily schedule of skin care.

The importance of skin care:

Why is it that so much attention is paid to skin care? It must be understood that our skin especially the exposed areas are the first to bear the direct impact of adverse environmental conditions. Consequently, it is more prone to damage in several ways. The sun is a big factor that causes wrinkles, age spots, tan and other kinds of damage to the skin. Next is the dirt and grime that we are daily exposed to, leading to clogging of pores, which further create conditions suitable for acne, eruptions and blackheads. It is therefore, important to take proper care of our skin on a daily basis. This would include thorough cleansing, toning, moisturizing and ex-foliating from time to time to reveal and maintain radiant skin. In this endeavor you have skin care products to help you out.

The skin is the largest organ of the body serving as the protective shield against infections, extreme temperatures, dehydration and injuries. Those who neglect their skin health will do so at their own peril because very soon they will begin to encounter serious skin problems. When the skin attains a dry and itchy state it is very important to treat it with skin care cosmetics or it will flare up into a major problem.

Experts warn that this dry and itchy condition of the skin is an indication that the protective layer of the skin has been destroyed. However, timely detection of the condition can help in preventing any serious damage and skin care cosmetics can be employed to restore the health of the skin.

The safety aspect of skin care cosmetics:

Skin care cosmetics in the United States are supposed to be quite safe for their intended use. It is considered so because they have to undergo strict quality checks based on government regulations. At the same time, it must be remembered that improper or incorrect use of some skin care cosmetic products could cause allergic reactions and skin damage. To ascertain the suitability of a skin care cosmetic for your skin, it is best to consult a beauty expert, at the same time making sure that you go through the product label carefully. In case of uncertainty you should not try out the product without first removing all doubts.

Shopping for skin care cosmetics:

Once you are armed with expert advice from a professional, you can set out to purchase a suitable skin care cosmetic product. You can be sure of finding all the popular skin care cosmetic products at the local mall so, go out and explore. To add some fun you can bring along a friend for the beauty consultation sessions. If time is a constraint for you, it is best to shop online. By shopping online you not only save on time but the effort needed too is reduced. You will have to pay for shipping and handling charges, a small price to pay for the great convenience that you benefit from while shopping on the Internet.br
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Tags: care, Lasik, skin, skin care, Stretch Marks

Tips On Your Baby Skin Care

Posted on November 26th, 2009 by

Author: Low Jeremybr
Source: isnare.combr
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Although babies have basically flawless skin, some babies appear to have irritations and redness on their facial skin. This should not alarm parents as this condition is actually quite normal and would probably stop all on its own.

Baby skin is actually the purest and the healthiest as all functions are still active and the skin is still well hydrated. There is little damage from sunlight that can be seen and blemishes are non-existent. Of course, damage will eventually be visible as children will most likely play outside under the sun when they grow a little bit older.

One thing that parents must understand though is the fact that not because childrens skin are flawless, their skin is not damaged or is not being damaged. Oftentimes, the visible signs of damage come later in life.

And because children have no idea in what skin care is or could not care less on the condition of their skin 10 years in the future, it is the responsibility of the parents to educate their children on the needs and begin a skin care regimen that will help prevent the onset of various skin problems like dark spots, wrinkles, warts and acne.

It is never too soon for them to learn how to take care of their skin and it is never too soon for you to worry about your babies skins. In fact, it is important that parents realize this because the care for the skin of your children will rest solely on you.

Although there is really no need to get into medications and other stuff because the skin of babies are basically healthy, there is still a need to start protecting the skin from the sun. This can be done by wearing clothes that will shield them from the sun, wearing hats and sun-visors.

It is also important not to expose them too much in direct sunlight especially in noontime. If you do plan to go to the beach, make sure that you use sunscreen on them. There are sunscreens made especially for babies that are available in the market.

With bathing essentials like soaps, parents should stay clear of products that have added components. The milder and purer the better as the skin of babies and young kids are sensitive. Additional ingredients such as perfume may only irritate the skin and cause allergies. Coloring agents in baby products are also a no-no.br
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Tags: babies, baby skin care, care, skin care, Skin Care tips

Tips On Choosing The Best Skin Care Product For You

Posted on November 18th, 2009 by

Author: Ellen Kennedy
Source: isnare.com

Your face is the first thing that people notice when they meet you. So, it is no wonder that skin care is big business! Millions are spent each year to treat acne, under eye circles, wrinkles, discolorations, and a variety of other ailments. If you are in the market for a skin care line, there are a few things that you should consider before settling on a product. First you need to look at the type of ingredients the product contains, and then find out what works best for your particular skin type. So, get ready to put your best face forward!

A good skin care product is only as good as its ingredients. Make sure to read the label before you buy. If you are unable to pronounce anything on the bottle, move on to something else. The best skin care products are made with natural ingredients. Look for a formula with Aloe Vera and vitamin E for a great complexion. You want a skin care line that keeps you looking your best, while feeling great on your skin. Cleansers and creams shouldn’t burn or sting. Depending on your skin type, you may find that formulas that contain alcohol can actually aggravate your problem. So do your homework beforehand. If you have a specific problem like acne or sun damage, you will want to find a skin care line that focuses on your problem areas. Benzyl peroxide has been known to work wonders on acne, while alpha-hydroxy helps improve the appearance of wrinkles or sun damage.

If you have dry skin, you will want to find a formula that helps replenish the moisture in your face. Products made with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E are particularly good at this. Look for skin care lines that come in a cream or a lotion form. A good humidifier used at night may also help improve your complexion. Always remember that excess washing can actually dry your face out further, so limit your washings to once or twice a day.

If you are plagued by oily skin, you may find that acne is a major problem for you. Here again excess washing can aggravate the problem, so limit washings to once or twice a day. Follow up your skin care routine with a quality astringent or toner. This will help control the amount of oil on your face, and reduce the number of breakouts.

Combination skin can be a tricky situation. You have patches of dry skin as well as oilier regions. Look for a formula that is specifically designed for your type of skin. Oil absorbing masks applied to the T-zone (your forehead, nose, and chin) once a week will help control oil and breakouts.

No matter what type of skin you have, you should have no trouble finding a skin care line to suite your needs. The key is to understand what different ingredients do. Research anything that you don’t understand- and don’t be fooled into thinking that a product has to be expensive to work. Some of the best products on the market cost less than $10 dollars a bottle!

Tags: acne, care, oily skin, skin, skin care

Skin Care

Posted on November 16th, 2009 by

Author: Dr. Ripudaman Singh
Source: articlesbase.com

Skin Care Your face is very important to your self image, Make it look great by having healthy skin! If you feel you need to see a dermatologist, However there are many things you can do at home to take care of your face. Keep your face clean with a daily cleaner something that doesn’t dry out your skin. After cleansing use an oil free moisturizer. Stay healthy; overall body health impacts your skin. Pay attention to what you eat, some foods can affect your skin and especially cause acne. Treat your skin and pay attention to it. Do not touch! Your fingers are oily and touching your face frequently can cause increased acne. Your face creates everyone’s first impression If you need to see a dermatologist, there may be easy solutions to many problems. Indian home made remedies are better than any other costly marketed products Natural wart remover Banana peel contains a substance that is highly effective at destroying warts and is recommended by dermatologists. Place a small amount of peel against the wart and hold it in place with adhesive tape. Change the peel daily as needed and continue for 2 weeks or until the wart is gone.

Tags: care, indian, remover, skin, warts

Proper Facial Skin Care – Do It The Right Way

Posted on November 9th, 2009 by

Author: Michel Marchand
Source: isnare.com

There are several appropriate and inappropriate ways for performing facial skin care. Many people accept that the application of a lot of facial creams and skin care products will actually increase their chances of getting better looking skin and keeping it that way. However, the truth could not be further.

The real fact is that skin in general does not really need a lot of products to achieve that glowing look. The first step to healthy looking skin is to know your skin type. It is only then that you will be able to choose the facial skin care product that matches your skin type. This step is very important as the wrong skin care can often make your skin look worse that when you started.

Step Two To Proper Facial Skin Care

You probably guessed by now that cleansing has a very important role to play in giving your skin proper skin care. However, once you have chosen a product that matches your skin type, maintaining a daily cleansing routine is what will eventually give you the results that you are after. It is important that once you start, you stick to it to avoid complications or blemishes. Your routine for facial skin care in the morning can be done without using any soap or cleanser.

If your face tends to get a little oily from oils and sebum that have accumulated during your sleep, you might want to wash it off with water. If you face is usually very oily, you might want to add a little amount of cleanser to your morning routine to wash the oily residue off your face. If you regularly wear make-up to go to work or when you go out, it is highly recommended that you use a cleanser after you have taken off your make-up. Ensure also that the water is just warm enough so as not to cause any broken capillaries.

Step Three To Proper Facial Skin Care

The skin is the biggest organ in the body and unlike any other, its cells are constantly dying and new ones form to replace the dead ones. The dead layer of skin, although unseen by the naked eye, can block pores and cause blemishes and needs to be “removed” on a regular basis to allow your pores to “breath”. This is called exfoliation and should be performed weekly to be beneficial. There are many ways that you could use to exfoliate your skin but it is far better to contact your dermatologist for a professional exfoliation. Although this could sometimes get quite pricey, you know that you are giving your skin the best treatment possible.
If however you cannot afford professional exfoliation, there are also some packs on the market that will allow you to perform this yourself.

Step Four To Proper Facial Skin Care

Many people do not moisturize their skin/face because they believe that they have oily skin. The truth is that only people with acne need not moisturize. If you have oily skin, try to find a moisturizer that will not clog your pores. Only use these if your skin is extra oily.

If you love going to the beach, there is nothing as important as sunscreen. For proper facial skin care, you must avoid the damage that the sun can cause to your skin. Follow all these steps above and you too can have healthy, younger and glowing looking skin.

Tags: care, facial, facial skin care, skin, skin care

Why You Need Skin Care Products

Posted on November 8th, 2009 by

Author: Greg Williamson
Source: isnare.com

Our outer being is determined by our skin. Healthy skin is important since people typically first notice a persons appearance. You can show how you care for yourself by having healthy skin. The importance of skin care is known by everyone. Since there are a variety of skin care products on the market everyone is bound to find a product that works for them.

There are many benefits to having good skin. Your self esteem will be boosted through good skin and this will help your ability to interact with other people. In addition, good skin will improve your daily activities and help you feel refreshed, relaxed and clean. By not taking care of your skin you will often look more mature than your real age and your appearance may be dull and lifeless. Since many don’t want this to happen it is important to develop a skin care routine and take special care to maintain good skin.

In addition, those around you will be effected by your liveliness so other people will also benefit from your good skin. With good skin you are often friendlier to the people around you which helps you gain more respect from other individuals. You may even be approached by people who want to know what skin products you use. Then you can determine whether or not your want to share your skin care secrets with them.

There are several categories of skin care products based on their uses:

1. Skin care products are categorized based on the type of skin they treat whether it is sensitive, dry or oily skin. To find the product that best suits your skin you first need to determine what your skin type is. Hormonal changes, climate, medications and your skin care routine are all factors that will change your skin type. Your skin care routine is strongly influenced by the type of skin you have.

2. Skin care products are also categorized by their use. These categories are cleansers, moisturizers, toners and sunscreens. Cleansers are the most common skin care products. The preferred products are those that are free of allergens and irritants. To make sure you get the right product you should check the label carefully.

3. Products can also be categorized according to the skin disorders they treat. The most common skin disorder that needs immediate treatment is acne. Before deciding which product to use you should consult an expert. Always make sure you have proper knowledge before purchasing a product.

4. The last category for skin care products is their ingredients. Some products have herbal ingredients while others have synthetic and cosmetic ingredients. There are active and inactive ingredients in products. Both the inactive and the active ingredients should work on your skin in order for you to get the best results.

Keeping clean skin and having self discipline to stick to a routine is more important for good skin than finding and using a good product.

Tags: benefits of skin care products, care, healthy skin, skin care product categories, skin care products