Remedies & Other Knowledge

It is really important for you to be able to identify your skin type. This is to enable you to look after your skin correctly. Also the selection of your cosmetics is, to a considerable extent, influenced by your skin type. Although no two skins are exactly similar most have characteristics which enable them to be grouped into one of the following typesry skin, Normal skin, Combination skin and Oily skin.

To determine your skin type, wash your face with a mild face wash. Then, after 30 minutes, press a clean tissue against your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. If the tissue shows no trace of oil, then you have dry skin. Dry skin looks rough and is prone to premature fine lines and wrinkles. If your skin is oily in some parts but dry in others, then you have combination skin. Normal skin usually looks smooth and is not prone to break outs. Oily skin feels oily to touch and tends to shine. Oily skin is also prone to blackheads and pimples. A sensitive skin needs special care, as it may be sensitive to some ingredients found in popular cosmetics. Those with sensitive skin should always use beauty aids that are hypoallergenic to protect their skin from allergic reactions. A regular skin care program, adapted to the needs of your particular skin type, goes a long way in keeping your skin radiant & problem free.

Dry Skin:
Dry skin needs extra care, as it is prone to fine lines and wrinkles.This is especially true during the winter months when it feels even drier and may feel too taut or may even flake.A few measures help alleviate dryness and keep your skin supple and, at the same time, guard against premature aging.

1. Always wash your face with a mild, soap-free face wash. Never use soap, as that would further strip your skin of natural oil.
2. Always use a moisturizer during the day. Use upward,circular motion to lightly massage the moisturizer into your face. Make sure not to pull or tug your skin.
3. You should consider using a night cream before going to bed at night. It is advisable to use a cream that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids (or AHA's, as they're commonly known). AHA's are derived from sources such as milk, fruit, & sugarcane. These acids gently exfoliate the dry, dead, outermost layers of skin while they moisturize the newly revealed layers. They greatly benefit complexions that look dull, dry, or flaky & they give your skin a beautiful glow.
4. Both AHA and Vitamin C help reduce fine lines and other signs of aging. Thus, you may get good results quickly by using a moisturizer or cream that contains Vitamin C during the day and an AHA-based night cream. Most known brands have moisturizers and creams that contain these.
5. If you have dry skin that tends to flake off, looks red and has some itchy patches that scab, consult your doctor to rule out eczema. Eczema, also known as atopic dermititis, is generally considered to be a hereditary condition that can occur throughout the year. Other causes of eczema can be fabrics such as wool, some skin-care products or detergents etc. Your doctor may prescribe a cream to soothe the redness and irritation. Non-irritating fabrics such as cotton also help avoid flare-ups.
6. Many people suffer from weather-related dry skin. If the weather in the winter months is normally drier and this tends to dehydrate your skin, regular use of moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated & supple.

Home Remedies For Dry Skin:

* Add 1/2 tsp of rose water to 1 tsp of honey and gently apply to the face. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes, then wash off with tepid water. Honey moisturizes and soothes dry skin, and is gentle enough for daily use.
* Massaging you face regularly with almond oil or olive oil works wonders for dry skin.
* Take 1/4 of an apple. Peel off the skin and grate. Cool in the refrigerator. Apply it on the skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash off with cool water. Apple helps soothe dry skin and gives it a pleasant glow.
* Take 1 tbsp of cream. Stir lightly till it becomes a smooth paste. Apply to face and neck before bath. Cream helps remove suntan and makes your skin silky and supple

Normal Skin:

Normal skin is usually trouble-free & needs simple care to keep it healthy & glowing. Normal skin also tolerates most popular lotions & creams as well. A regular skincare program combined with a balanced, healthy diet helps keep normal skin stay supple & young. Regular care for normal skin should include a few simple steps.

1. Cleansing, toning, & moisturizing daily keeps normal skin in great shape for a long time. It is advisable to use natural products on your skin.
2. It's easy to take trouble-free skin for granted, but if neglected, it will begin to develop fine lines & wrinkles. So always remember to nourish & moisturize your skin.
3. Creams and lotions that contain vitamin A, C, & E help improve the texture of your skin, making it smoother & softer. Moreover, these vitamins counter the effects of free radicals.
4. Even if your skin is normal, you still have to give it regular care. Your skin, like any other skin type, is constantly assaulted by free radicals. Free radicles are molecules formed in the skin when it is exposed to the environment, pollution, or sunlight.

Home Remedies For Normal Skin:

Mash 1/4 of a ripe banana. Apply on the face, taking care to avoid the areas under the eye. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then wash off with cool water. Banana is excellent to do away with dead skin that makes your skin look lifeless. Regular use of banana gives your skin a fresh, healthy glow.

Combination Skin:

Skin that is oily in some parts but dry or normal in others is considered as combination skin. The oily skin is concentrated on the T-zone, which is across the forehead, down the nose and chin. Whenever you wash your face, you may find that some areas of your face feel tight after washing; & that these parts look dull or feel dry & rough whereas the T-zone looks shiny, feels oily to touch & is prone to pimples & blackheads. Combination skin needs special attention because the dry parts of your face need to be considered, whereas the oily parts need to be kept clean to avoid breakouts. Follow these simple tips each day & see what a difference they make to your skin.

1. Cleanse your entire face twice a day. Always use a mild cleanser to gently remove dirt, grime, & make-up from your face.
2. The dry areas of your face need to be moisturized to prevent the formation of premature wrinkles.Use a good moisturizer on the dry parts of your face, and if possible, use an oil-free moisturizer on your T-zone.
3. If you use make-up, try and use oil-free/shine control type of make-up on the T-zone.These products are easily available in the market today and help absorb all the excess oil secretion and control the shine.
4. If you have a combination skin, your skin will greatly benefit from AHA and Vitamin C moisturizers & creams. Products that contain AHA tend to normalize the skin.

Home Remedies For Combination Skin:

* Always keep a small bottle of rose water in the refrigerator. Saturate a bit of clean cotton with cool rose water and dab liberally on your face. Enjoy the fresh feeling.
* Take 3-4 tbsp of ripe, de-seeded papaya pulp.Mash well & cool in the refrigerator. Apply on face & leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then wash off with cool water. Papaya helps normalize combination or oily skin & gives it a beautiful healthy glow.

Oily Skin:

Skin that looks oily, feels greasy to touch & is prone to blackheads & pimples is known as oily skin. It is imperative to keep oily skin clean & to control the excess secretion of oil. On the positive side, oily skin tends to age more gradually as compared to other skin types, as natural oil protects oily skin from fine lines & wrinkles. A simple but regular skincare program coupled with a well-balanced, healthy diet helps manage oily skin & minimizes skin break-outs.

1. It is essential to cleanse your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at bedtime.Always use a mild cleanser. They help prevent clogged pores and reduce pimples..
2. Follow up the cleanser with an astringent as this will remove all excess oil. It is best to avoid an alcohol-based astringent. Instead, it is advisable to use natural products. Alcohol-based products strip too much oil from the face.
3. If your skin does break out, do not touch or squeeze the pimples. Pimples, if squeezed, may leave permanent scars. There are a number of effective pimple creams available in the market today. Consult a dermatologist to know which one is best suited for you.
4. If possible, get your face professionally cleansed once a month.
5. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day. Water helps flush out toxins from the body.
6. Avoid fried foods and chocolates.
7. Make sure that you eat a well-balanced diet which includes fruits and green leafy vegetables daily.

Home Remedies For Oily Skin:

* Keep a bowl of water in the fridge and splash this cold water on your face 3-4 times a day. Cold water will not only leave you feeling refreshed but will also tighten the pores.
* Neem leaves are excellent for pimples. Crush washed neem leaves to form a paste and apply this to the affected parts. Leave it on for at least an hour. Neem will help the pimples dry up faster.
* For marks and blemishes left behind by pimples use calamine lotion. Just dab some lotion on the blemishes at bedtime & they will gradually fade away.
* A great pack for oily skin is the chilled cucumber. Finely grate cucumber or blend a cucumber in the blender to form a paste. Chill in the fridge. Apply it on the face and relax for 15 minutes. Wash off with cold water. For best results, repeat twice a week.


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DISCLAIMER: All material on this Blog is provided for your information only & may not be construed as medical advice(s) or instruction(s). No action(S) or inaction(S) should be taken based solely on the content(S) of this information(S). Instead, readers should consult appropriate health professional(S) on any matter relating to their health & well-being.

The information & opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate, based on the best judgment available to the author; and readers who fail to consult with appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.

In addition, the information & opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Blog author. Blog author acknowledges occasional differences in opinion & welcomes the exchange of different viewpoint(S). The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Mouthwash is advertised as an effective liquid that kills the bad germs in your mouth and gives you clean-smelling breath. However, mouthwash is like many other household products. It has many more uses than the use it was originally intended for! Here are unique uses for alcohol-based mouthwash that can make your life a little easier:

1. Clean Minor Cuts and Scrapes With Mouthwash:
Mouthwashes such as Listerine® brand contain a hefty amount of alcohol, at least twenty percent. Since alcohol is an effective germ killer, you can use a mouthwash that contains a lot of this ingredient to clean minor cuts and scrapes on your skin.

2. Keep your Toothbrushes Sanitary:
No matter how clean you strive to keep your bathroom, it's one room in your house where germs still float around on a daily basis. For example, did you know every time your toilet is flushed, the germs that spray from the bowl can travel more than six feet? That's why it's important to keep your toothbrush inside a medicine cabinet and not sitting out in the open air. To kill any germs and bacteria that still may be lurking on your toothbrush, you should still use a mouthwash such as Listerine® to sanitize it every time before you brush your teeth.

3. Kill Nail Fungus With Alcohol-Based Mouthwash:
Nail Fungus is an infection of the nails on the hands and/or on the feet. It can cause your nails to turn thick and yellowish in color. Another unique use for alcohol-based mouthwash is to mix up a 50/50 solution with vinegar. Use a clean cotton ball to apply the solution to the affected nails two to three times a day. It will kill the fungus and make your nails healthy again.

4. Mouthwash Can Help Relieve Bruising:
Have you ever run your arm or leg into a door and thought, "Ouch! That's going to cause a bruise!" Accidents like these happen every day. The next time this happens to you, you can help relieve the bruising. Just reach for your mouthwash! Massage the injured area with a generous amount of mouthwash such as Listerine® brand. The alcohol will lessen the intensity of the bruise that will appear. In fact, the injured area of your skin may not even bruise!

5. Use Alcohol-Based Mouthwash After Getting Tongue Pierced:
After you get your tongue pierced, rinsing your mouth with salt water can help promote healing. However, if you rinse your mouth with a solution of alcohol-based mouthwash mixed in tap water after every meal, it will help kill harmful bacteria that can cause infection. Stir two ounces of mouthwash into a cup of tap water.

6. Use Listerine® as a Hand Sanitizer:
Do you carry those purse-sized bottles of hand sanitizer to kill harmful germs and bacteria? They're rather pricey to buy. Their main ingredient is usually alcohol, that's what sanitizes your skin. You can save money by using an alcohol-based mouthwash to clean your hands instead. Just pour some in a small bottle or leakproof container and use it as an effective, yet inexpensive hand sanitizer.

7. Dry-Up Itchy, Blistered Poison Ivy:
Another unique use for alcohol-based mouthwash is to use a clean cotton ball to generously apply it to patches of Poison Ivy. Do this several times a day and the mouthwash will help relieve the itch and inflammation. It will also dry up the Poison Ivy so it can begin to heal.

8. Use Alcohol-Based Mouthwash As A Mosquito Repellent:
Fill a spray bottle with alcohol-based mouthwash to spry lawn, spray around childs play areas, water puddles, outdoor chairs and picnic tables, spray around porches and patios, and inside dog houses. It will keep mosquitoes away for several days.

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DISCLAIMER: All material on this Blog is provided for your information only & may not be construed as medical advice(s) or instruction(s). No action(S) or inaction(S) should be taken based solely on the content(S) of this information(S). Instead, readers should consult appropriate health professional(S) on any matter relating to their health & well-being.

The information & opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate, based on the best judgment available to the author; and readers who fail to consult with appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.

In addition, the information & opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Blog author. Blog author acknowledges occasional differences in opinion & welcomes the exchange of different viewpoint(S). The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Rules governing manufacturing of dietary supplements don't take full effect until 2010. Until then, here's what you should know before you buy.

Herbal supplements are rapidly growing in popularity, but are they right for you? That depends on the herb, your current health and your medical history.

Herbal supplements have active ingredients that can affect how your body functions, just as over-the-counter and prescription drugs do. Herbal supplements may be particularly risky for certain individuals, and herbal supplement labels are often vague, confusing and of little help when it comes to making a selection. If you're considering herbal supplements or other dietary supplements, educate yourself about any products you intend to use before purchasing them and talk to your doctor about any supplements you're considering taking.

Are herbal supplements safe?
Until recently, government oversight and consumer protection were very limited for dietary supplements. But in 2007 the Food and Drug Administration, the federal agency responsible for overseeing the safety of U.S. food and drug products, was given the authority to oversee the manufacture of domestic- and foreign-made dietary supplements, including herbal supplements. The regulations require supplement manufacturers to evaluate the identity, purity, strength and composition of their dietary supplements to ensure that they contain what their labels claim and are free of contaminants. The regulations are being phased in over three years, however, so not all supplements are currently tested. It is also important to note that these regulations don't change the fact that dietary supplements unlike medications are not required to obtain FDA approval before going on the market.

What the label tells you?
You can expect certain information to be included on the labels of all herbal supplements, which should help you understand what's inside the packaging. This information includes:

* The name of the herbal supplement, such as St. John's wort
* The net quantity of contents, for example, 60 capsules
* In certain cases, a disclaimer: "This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
* A Supplement Facts panel, which includes serving size, amount and active ingredient
* Other ingredients, such as herbs & amino acids, for which no daily values have been established
* The name and address of manufacturer, packer or distributor

Manufacturers typically refer to herbal products by their common name and the part of the plant used to make the herbal supplement, such as root, stem or leaf. If you don't understand anything on an herbal supplement's label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for clarification.


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DISCLAIMER: All material on this Blog is provided for your information only & may not be construed as medical advice(s) or instruction(s). No action(S) or inaction(S) should be taken based solely on the content(S) of this information(S). Instead, readers should consult appropriate health professional(S) on any matter relating to their health & well-being.

The information & opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate, based on the best judgment available to the author; and readers who fail to consult with appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.

In addition, the information & opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Blog author. Blog author acknowledges occasional differences in opinion & welcomes the exchange of different viewpoint(S). The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.