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Using a Body Scrub is Good for Your Dry Skin

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Many of us have some problems with our skin because of dry climate, air conditioning or just because of their skin type. There are all types of lotions and cremes that can help but if you want to take your skin care to another level, you will have to also pay attention to the way you wash your skin. First of all you will have to use sensitive body washes to avoid excessive removal of natural lipids between your skin cells, but also you should use a body scrub to get rid of those dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin. This way you will support the natural humidity of your skin, but also any body creme that you will apply after scrubbing your skin, will get directly absorbed to the fresh skin layer, and will have the most effect on your skin.

Mechanic removal of dead skin cells on a regular basis has been shown to be very effective in treating the dry skin, and there are all kinds of body scrubs available. Many of these have a different scrubbing ingredient and they all seem to be better than the other, but the truth is that you will have to find the one that works for your skin, and in the end you might get the most benefit from rotating a few different scrubs that work for your skin. For example sea salt body scrub has a lot more benefits than just the exfoliation of your dead skin cells – it has also been shown to reduce inflammation in your body and your skin, and that is why it works great for people who suffer from acne, but also others who have irritation in skin folds around their body. Just like any other scrub you should remember not to use them too much, as this can start to irritate your skin.

The best part about this type of scrub is that you can make it yourself, and you won’t only save money but you will as well get an organic product that doesn’t contain preservatives – except the soap that you choose to use for the making. I would suggest to use organic soap in this, since you use this to scrub your skin and remove layers of your skin, penetrating through the top layer of your bodys defense.


Another great sort of scrub is the coconut body scrub, that instead of using the large grain of sea salt to remove dead skin cells, uses small chips of coconut – making it safe and caring. When you use sea salt it will absorb water from your skin, and can have positive effects on specific skin types, but since coconut contains a lot of fat, it can be quite moisturizing and treating. If you don’t have any specific skin problems, then it is advised to use this instead of a rough scrub. Just like almost any other, you can too make a body scrub like this yourself by purchasing dried coconut chips and mixing them with either a balm for sensitive skin, or a soap or any other type of body wash. Using organic products will be a better choice here also.

If you want to take care of your skin properly, then using different body scrubs when you shower, and applying a body lotion that suits your skin is the most efficient way to get a smooth skin. Depending on the roughness of the scrub you can either use it on a daily basis, or just once or twice a week to avoid excessive irritation and actually end up making your skin dryer than it should be. Even though exfoliating your skin can be good for your acne, keep in mind that when you do it, you are opening the pores and exposing them to bacteria that can cause further inflammation of the skin. If you are not sure about how you should treat your skin, it is a good idea to be in contact with a dermatologist.

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What to Consider When Buying Hand Lotion

December 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Buying hand lotion during the winter months is a tough task with so many brands and varieties on the market. Most people purchase hand lotion to combat dryness, cracked winter skin or skin conditions that are assisted by moisturizing. There are some, too, who use hand lotion because of its preventive qualities. If you keep your hands moist enough, you can prevent many of these other problems that arise from dry skin.

The best hand lotion is the lotion that specifically addresses your skin type and condition. For example, if your condition is liver spots, it helps to use a tinted hand lotion. They are made with slight color to match a wide variety of skin tones. While these lotions do not get rid of liver spots, they help the appearance of the spots to blend in with your skin and become less noticeable. Liver spot sufferers also choose medicated hand lotions. Those with anti-wrinkling formulas help to make the skin tighter and appear younger. Other chemicals in the formula fade the spots and make them harder to see at first glance.


Choosing a liver spot lotion comes with risks, however. Since it has a fade action, the lotion can tend to make the entire area of skin where the lotion is applied much lighter than the rest of your skin. Rather than working directly on the spot, the creams and lotions dedicated to liver spot reduction halt the production of melanin in the skin. The lotions clump melanin cells together and can do more to draw attention to skin blemishes than it does to downplay them. It also can make the liver spots worse.

Allergies can also play a role in selection of hand lotions. Skin that is hypersensitive to chemicals, scents and preservatives found in some beauty products might benefit from hypo-allergenic brands. Otherwise, the skin runs the risk of developing contact dermatitis, which is the cause of at least 5.7 million doctor visits per day. The best choice is to go with an unscented lotion, which usually has a hypo-allergenic guarantee. This protects you against allergies and will not clash with the scent of your body soap or perfume.

Perfumed hand and body lotion are often heavily scented and meant to serve as both a moisturizer and perfume. You must be careful not to overdo it when you rub it onto your skin after showering or bathing, however. Some brands, especially designer brands, only require a little rubbed on the body to be effective. Using too much of it or using it in conjunction with a same-name perfume could be disastrous. Hand body lotion scents should be subtle enough not to set off any allergies even of passersby.

Hand and body lotions that contain sun block keep UV rays from the sun from damaging your skin. While direct sun exposure is necessary for the skin to get required amounts of vitamin D, melanin in the skin absorbs UV rays before they can do any damage to the skin. UV rays can cause tanning, burning, wrinkling and aging and can lead to serious forms of cancer and skin melanomas. While sun block lotions will not be able to protect the skin completely from the rays of the sun, they can reduce the amount of rays that get absorbed through the skin.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and is usually an accurate projector of your inner health. Not only is it a protective covering, but it also aides in releasing toxins from the body through fluids like sweat. In addition to choosing the right hand lotion for your skin type, there are other good habits you can start in order to keep your skin functioning at its best.

Though we are tempted to use any product that touts itself as antibacterial, we should avoid using them. These products with strong chemicals to kill bacteria and germs are much harsher than milder soaps and cleaners. Do not sleep in makeup. It, too, is harsh on the skin and over time creates a build-up that makes the face and neck vulnerable to acne and rashes.

Avoid using scalding hot water when you bathe. Although the heat may feel good to your muscles, hot water can break capillaries and cause broken veins to appear on your skin.

One other type of hand lotion on the market has been made for first responders during emergency. Unlike the other lotions that prevent dryness, aging or exposure to the sun, this lotion blocks biological agents from getting into the body through the skin. It is designed to be worn under latex gloves and minimizes perspiration and any reactions the body might have to allergies.

Some have found ways to make hand lotion at home with great success. However these home recipes do not preserve as well as lotions that can be found over-the-counter in health and beauty store. Beeswax, herbal teas, palm oil and other essential oils will grow bacteria after some months without preservatives.

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What Are The Best Skin Care Products To Use?

December 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The best skin care products replicate substances created naturally by the body when living a healthy lifestyle. Emotional calmness, rest, relaxation, and good nutrition are fundamental to a balanced system, whereas stress, inadequate rest, and poor food choices are evidenced almost immediately in the skin condition. There is no replacement for 20 minutes of unfilterebest skin care products, early morning sunlight to glean the benefits of natural Vitamin D. Imagine, the sun provides one of the most effective natural skin products.

The best skin care products are those that are closest to the body’s natural makeup. The skin is an organ of nourishment and elimination for the body. Every day old cells are sloughed off, truly leaving a fresh face. Skin care products that foster good healthy skin should include herbal nutrients with absorbable minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and bioflavonoid. Skincare products are tasked to clean, moisturize, heal, neutralize acids, and contribute to the overall balance of the body.

Choosing good nutrition will bring out the best in any skin care products you currently use or are considering. Even the best skincare products can only mask a problem that is erupting from internal imbalances. Cultured foods such as yogurt, tofu, and kefir contribute to a healthy microbial balance in the intestines. Plain yogurt is also useful topically as a cleanser and mask, restoring correct skin pH levels. Dry skin responds to potassium rich foods such as leafy greens, bell peppers, broccoli, bananas, fish, sea greens, and sesame and sunflower seed. Sesame, sunflower, and chia seeds are rich in essential fatty acids. The introduction of artificial hormones in much of today’s food products, whether at a restaurant or in the grocery store, disrupt the body’s internal mechanisms. Avoid red meats, fried, fatty and fast foods. Cut back on caffeine, dairy foods, and those with excessive salt and sugar.

Beverages should be regarded as skin products, as the skin contains 50% to 75% water. Drinking at least six glasses of water, a day is essential. Watermelon juice is high in natural silica content and contributes to a desired alkalinity in the body. Vegetable and fruit juices add vitamins C and E, as well as the valuable anti-oxidant and anti-aging agent, carotene. Green Tea will aid in detoxification from pollutants in the environment and the aloe vera plant, with 18 amino acids, minerals and vitamins, has excellent properties for skin health. Either when consumed as a liquid or applied topically as a lotion or salve. Roasted dandelion tea likewise detoxes.

Another simple facial can be made by combining 1 teaspoon of kelp granules with 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Apply and rinse after ten minutes. A combination of aloe vera and Vitamin E oil, applied weekly, will contribute to ever-important balance. More natural skin products that smooth the skin are oils combined and used as a cleanser. Avocado, almond, kukui nut, and sesame oils, mixed and stored in a dark bottle, are a natural and exotic addition to any collection of natural skin products. Lavender oil reduces puffiness, chamomile tea will tone the skin, rose oil hydrates, and a little less than one-quarter cup of honey in the bath will smooth the skin. There are a plethora of resources available on the internet and in print addressing health from a holistic perspective. The balance of mind, body, and spirit is attributed with maintaining and restoring physical health.

The simplest tool to achieving a glowing complexion comes from within. A smile removes wrinkles and brightens the face of giver and receiver, and sits at the top of the list of best skin care products.

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An Ode to Pacquin Hand Cream

October 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

If you suffer from dry skin, and have asked others for recommendations to alleviate it, you have probably had someone tell you about the wonders of Pacquin Hand Cream. I was in the same boat, and when a friend of mine told me about their positive experience with this cream, I ran down to the chemist to pick up a jar of this magic ointment. Imagine my disappointment when the pharmacist told me that they no longer stock that product.

There are many people out there that suffer from dry skin, and to anyone who has not had this ailment, you may see it as being something trivial and not worth a lot of attention. After all, having your skin a bit dry and flaky is not the end of the world, right? In reality, chronic sufferers of dry skin truly do suffer with this condition. During the colder months, your skin can get so dry and chapped that it ends up cracking open like a wound, and it can be extremely painful to live with.

There is no known medical cure for this condition, and no real explanation as to why some people suffer from it so much, while others never have dry skin at all, other than the fact that it’s hereditary, and if your parents suffer from it, you probably will as well. The best protection against this condition is to apply hand cream on a regular basis, preferably nightly. The problem is, many of the hand creams available on the market are sticky, oily, and not all that effective against chronic dry skin conditions.


pacquin_17558_4_(big)_This is where Pacquins Hand Cream comes in. Pacquin has been alleviating sufferers of dry skin for many decades. Their unique formula means that the cream has a light consistency that is perfect for every day use, and does not leave your hands feeling like you’ve just dipped them into a jar of honey. This light fluffy cream consists of Glycerin and Lanolin and works in a matter of minutes, closing cracked skin, and leaving your hands feeling smooth and pain free.

Unfortunately, about a year ago, the company responsible for the production of Pacquin Hand Cream got bought out by the major players in the skin care industry – Johnson and Johnson, who promptly decided that Pacquins Hand Cream didn’t fit well into their line of products and promptly discontinued it. There has been speculation that the high quality of this cream, meant that the manufacturing costs were too high for J&J’s standards, or maybe that it was in direct competition with an existing Johnson and Johnson product of lesser value.

As soon as the public got wind of this corporate takeover, they began hoarding the cream as quickly as they could, stockpiling whatever they could get their hands on for future winters to come. Yes, the cream is that good. Nowadays, you would have to be extremely lucky to find a jar of this cream in your local chemist, and if you do, snatch it up while you can.

For the rest of us, we have to resort to keeping an eye on eBay for when one of these jars comes on sale. They are quite pricey because of the whole supply and demand thing, but its well worth watching any sales that pop up and taking advantage of anything that looks like it is being sold at an acceptable price. When it was available in stores, Pacquin Hand Cream sold for about $5 a jar. Nowadays, if you can find a jar for under $35 on eBay, you would be mad not to snatch it up before someone else does. I have listed the eBay search results for this product below, and it will update automatically, so if you’re interested in stockpiling some of this wonderful cream, check back here often.

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Body Scrubs – For Healthy Vibrant Skin

October 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Using a body scrub is a great way of maintaining healthy skin, as it exfoliates by including coarse material within the scrub, quite often this material is sand or salt, but there are many other materials that can be introduced to body scrubs that give similar results. The other main ingredient is oil. Once again, there are many different oils that can be utilised, oils from nuts such as macadamias and almonds are especially popular. The third ingredient that you will find in any good scrub is an essence of some sort that will create a relaxing smell when the scrub is applied peppermint is a very popular smell that is used in body scrubs, but if that doesn’t suit, you could opt for something like lavender or rosemary.

By applying a good body scrub on a regular basis, your skin will be smooth, almost velvety in fact, and blemish free. It also helps to relax and calm your nerves after a hard day at work. The best way to put body scrub on is to have someone else do it for you. It can be difficult applying the scrub to some parts of your body that may need it the most. A qualified massage therapist will take the time to work the scrub into those areas, giving you the maximum effect.

The general perception of body scrubs is that they are all natural and therefore good for you. Unfortunately this is not always the case, and many brands that look natural with their fancy labelling are in fact mostly synthetic. It’s important that you look at the ingredients that go into the manufacture of your body scrub, so that you know exactly what you are rubbing into your skin.

You may be fooled into thinking that since a body scrub is so good for your skin, it would be great to apply it directly to your face as well. This is generally not a good idea, as the skin on your face is more sensitive than the rest of your body, and the exfoliating ingredients could cause more harm to your facial tissue than good. There are, however, facial scrubs that you can get specifically for this purpose, that are based around the same concept, but as harsh as your average exfoliating body scrub.

How To Make Your Own Body Scrub

If you want to use a body scrub on a regular basis, you may be put off by spending that amount of money every week, and rightly so, they can work out to be fairly expensive in the long term. There is a solution, however, and that is to make your own. At first glance, the thought of creating a homemade body scrub could seem daunting, but it is actually very simple, much simpler than some of the dinners you prepare for your family on a daily basis. In fact, you really only need four ingredients to make a decent body scrub; Sugar (or salt, depending on your preference, sugar gives a coarser finish), 1 cup of oil (as mentioned previously, this can be a nut oil like macadamia or even peanut oil), food coloring (obviously this is optional, and unnecessary if you couldn’t care less about how it looks) and a small amount of essential oil to bring out those lovely aromas. All you have to do is mix this all together and voila, your own body scrub. Every bit as good as the stuff you buy in the shops, with the added satisfaction of knowing exactly what is in it and where it came from.

One of the hardest decision you are going to have to make is which essential oil is best for your needs. There are literally thousands of different essential oils that you could use in your body scrub. Outlined below are the eight most popular essential oils and their aromatherapy properties…

peppermint essential oil Peppermint – This is by far the most popular oil used in body scrubs, and is excellent in treating muscle aches and pains and headaches.
eucalyptus esential oil Eucalyptus – If you have a cold or suffer from hay fever or other respiratory problems, Eucalyptus is the essential oil for you. As an added bonus, Eucalyptus oil will keep the mosquitoes away.
lavendar essential oil Lavender – The essence of lavender is much loved throughout the world and respected for it’s ability to calm and relax even the most savage of beasts. It also aids in the healing of wounds and burns.
teat tree essential oil Tea Tree – Tea Tree oil is well known for its treatment of fungal infections, and it is also used to boost a person’s immune system if they have been sick.
rosemary essential oil Rosemary – Not only useful to put on your lamb for a Sunday roast, rosemary is best known for it’s ability to stimulate the senses. Putting this oil in your body scrub will help to ease muscle aches and pains and make you feel vibrant and alive. Great to use before going out on the town.
geranium essential oil Geranium – The lovely geranium aka Pelargonium graveolens is not only a lovely flower, but is also extremely effective in curing skin conditions such as eczema, bruises and other skin problems, making it a perfect addition to your homemade body scrub.
jasmine essential oil Jasmine – Jasmine is a great choice for pregnant women, women suffering from hormonal changes or anyone that suffers from depression. It has a lovely sweet scent and is a great addition to the bathroom.
sandalwood essential oil Sandalwood – If you suffer from dry skin during the drier months of the year, sandalwood is a great choice. It also acts as a mild antiseptic and has a calming effect on your nerves.

Our Favorite Body Scrubs

If making your own body scrub seems like too much hard work, and you are after something that will do the job of soothing and cleansing your skin without causing damage, you will be spoilt for choice when shopping online. In fact, the huge variety of scrubs available can make it extremely difficult to choose just one. Below is a list of our favorites that we have found to do a fantastic job of exfoliating, relaxing and regenerating our skin and bodies…

tree hut brazilian If you suffer from dry hands during winter, then you may benefit from a body scrub with an exfoliant that gets rid of all that dead dry skin. This Brazilian Nut Body Scrub from Tree Hut utilises a sugar based exfoliant which is gentle on your sensitive skin, while still removing all those dry flakes. The scrub has a brazilian but oil base and includes safflower seed, evening primrose and avocado oils to soften your skin.
dead sea green tea The Dead Sea Body Salt Scrub is made from the natural salts found in the Dead Sea, and mixed with a number of aromatic essential oils. The scrub exfoliates the top layer of dead skin, and assists in circulation. After only one application you will notice a remarkable difference in the smoothness of your skin.
honey and almond scrib Another great product from Tree Hut is the Almond and Honey Scrub. The sweet aroma of honey is wonderfully soothing, but don’t let it’s delightfully innocent scent fool you, it packs a powerful punch on your dead skin with flakes of almond mixed through the scrub to assist in exfoliation
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Choosing Acne Skin Care Products

September 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Most people suffer from acne at some stage in their lives, and some suffer for their whole lives. Although many teenagers resort to popping zits before their big date, this only makes matters so much worse. There are so many different solutions out there on offer that it can be almost impossible for the layperson to figure which is the best acne skin care product to use. Even worse is the fact that a product that works wonders for one person, may not necessarily be the best option for another, because of allergies or differing skin types. Some of the products that are being sold out there in the marketplace are just plain scams, while others have not been sufficiently tested and could be dangerous to the health of your skin.


One problem that we are currently faced with in society is the fact that we want everything to happen instantly. We are so used to getting something immediately that we expect the same results from our skin care products, and this is just not realistic. Even the best acne skin care treatment products will not yield immediate results; you will need to apply these lotions on a regular basis for at least a couple of weeks before determining whether this is the product that is going to work for you. Unfortunately, the companies that market these products show young people who are planning on going out that night and suddenly discover a pimple on their face. They apply the magic lotion, and 1 hour later they are good to go. The truth is that the only way you are going to get rid of a pimple that quickly is to cover it up with a heap of make up.

For a non medicated solution, many people are reporting success with the Zeno Pro Acne Clearing Device. This device is battery operated, and the tip will heat up when turned on. When applied to the affected area, this heat is transferred directly into the follicle. The beauty of this product is that the heat is regulated depending on your skin, and it all happens automatically, so there is no worry of having to get the settings just right. If you use this device two or three times over a 24 hour period, most pimples will disappear entirely. It works by transferring the heat directly to the bacteria responsible for the acne. Once the bacteria is killed, the pimple will not be far behind.

It is quite common for people to have allergic reactions to this type of acne skin care treatment product, and if you notice an itching or burning sensation after applying a particular type of product, then you should cease using it immediately and consult your doctor. Take the product with you, as the doctor will no doubt be able to help you pinpoint which ingredient gave you the allergic reaction so that you can avoid it in the future. One of the most heavy duty products out there are the ones that have exfoliating agents. These products are designed to remove a thin layer of skin, which will clear up and remove dead skin cells and unclog your pores. Usually these products also come with a moisturiser built into them in order to replenish your skins moisture levels after removing this layer of skin.

During adolescence, the majority of teenagers will suffer from acne in one form or another. This is usually caused by an increase in male sex hormones, and this occurs in both males and females during this time. The common areas for acne to appear are on the face and neck. Although it can be tempting to squeeze the pimples as they appear, you will risk permanent scarring by doing so, and will end up producing more acne as a result.

For moderate acne, a topical bactericidal can be most beneficial, although you need to be careful when using this application, as these applications use the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, which can cause bleaching of hair and clothing that it comes into contact with.

Antiobiotics are also commonly prescribed, and are available as both topical applications and to be taken orally. The only problem with these acne treatments is that the body will tend to build up resistance to the medication over time, making them less effective. They are also not a long term solution, and can cause a yellowing of your teeth.

Some dermatologists will inject cortisone directly into the affected area, which has an immediate effect on the acne, flattening it and reducing its color. Once the pimple has been flattened, it makes it much easier to cover up using make up.

If you would prefer to look at natural acne skin care products, then many people have reported great success with products that contain aloe vera and tea tree oil. As with any solution, however, you will need to apply these lotions over a period of weeks before noticing any great benefits. You are always best off starting with a natural remedy and moving up to the more extreme medications.

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