IHD - Beautiful Skin 101Written by John Russel
Most women shy away from being called “too sensitive.” But when subject is kin, they’re all too willing to wear scarlet S. According to American Academy of Dermatology, at least 40% of women believe they have sensitive skin, although most dermatologists report that only a fraction really do. Sensitivity – defined as skin that’s prone to irritation from products, weather, or stress – is a real (albeit misunderstood) condition. It’s not same as an allergy. It means you have a lower tolerance for irritating ingredients, such as fragrances and dyes. The evil twist here is that more skin reacts, more sensitive it becomes. Imagine normal skin having a natural barrier like Saran Wrap. People with sensitive skin have a disrupted barrier all time. But by identifying what disrupts that barrier and protecting it with right moisturizer, you can develop a thicker skin.1. Read Labels – Before applying creams, lotions, or makeup, read ingredients list. The fewer ingredients on label, better. All products and formulas should be free of fragrance, dye, and isopropyl alcohol (commonly known as rubbing alcohol). And beware of botanical ingredients and oils. Test each new product on side of your neck for a few days before using it on your face. 2. Cleanse – Wash you face with a milky, non-foaming liquid cleanser or a soap-free bar. Do not use a washcloth or any rough scrubber, which can be too abrasive for sensitive skin. Rinse face well by splashing with lukewarm water and pat with a soft towel, leaving skin slightly damp. There is no need to use a toner, which generally contains drying and irritating isopropyl alcohol. 3. Moisturize – Dab moisturizer onto damp skin in morning and night. Look for one that contains ceramides, fatty acids, or cholesterol, all of which help form a protective barrier against irritation. In morning, when moisturizer is absorbed, apply a sunscreen (with an SPF 15 or higher). It should also contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are least likely to cause reactions. Cheat Sheet 1. Choose right products. “Allergy-tested” means it doesn’t have ingredients that cause common reactions. “Noncomedogenic” means it won’t clog pores. 2. Read labels. Not everyone with sensitive skin is troubled by same thing, but most common irritants, in order, include fragrance, isopropyl alcohol, dyes, PABA, lanolin, sorbic acid, formaldehyde, and benzoic acid. 3. Don’t assume that natural products are safe. Some botanicals (rosemary, sandalwood, arnica) and essential oils (jojoba, tea tree, lavender) may irritate. 4. Test samples on neck for several days. If they don’t irritate you, they’ll probably be fine for your face. 5. Don’t try an arsenal of new products at once. Similarly, if skin breaks out, stop using everything, and reintroduce products one by one. 6. Be as gentle as possible. Use a creamy, liquid cleanser or a soap-free bar and rinse with lukewarm water. Avoid Buf-Pufs and washcloths. Pat with a towel and leave skin slightly damp. 7. Moisturize with a product for sensitive skin, or one that contains fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides. 8. Every day, be sure to apply a PABA-free sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
| | Natural Prescription for EczemaWritten by John Russell
-Identify food allergies and eliminate offending foods from you diet. Eggs, milk, cheese, chocolate, peanuts, soy, potatoes, and glutens in wheat are common allergenic foods. It will take four to six weeks for results of an allergen-free diet to be observed, so be patient. -Investigate possibility of food additive tartrazine contributing to eczema and, if it does, eliminate it from diet. -Eat fatty fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel at least twice a week. Some steps to relieve symptoms: -Do not use hot water for bathing and showering: Use warm water. -Use bath oil to soften skin. Use a nondrying soap substitute instead of soap -Do not use over-the-counter ointments that contain benzocaine or antibiotics. -Avoid lanolin in skin lotions, cosmetics, cleansers, and like. -Try to avoid temperature extremes and any activity that will involve excessive sweating. -Aerobic exercise is beneficial to eczema and other skin ailments. Just be sure to take a warm shower after exercise to wash away sweat. -Avoid any oily or greasy ointment that prevents skin from breathing. -Try to wear cotton and other natural fibers next to your skin with exception of wool, which you should avoid. -As stress can exacerbate eczema, practice stress reduction techniques.
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