Wednesday, March 19, 2008

How to Make a Coffee and Egg White Exfoliating Facial

Coffee afficionados - keep those spent grounds after the cuppa! Use them to exfoliate and revitalise your face with this inexpensive, natural and effective facial treatment. Suitable for all skin types, although those with dry skin should include a moisturiser post-treatment.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) used coffee grounds
  • 1 egg white
Steps
  1. Mix used coffee grounds and egg white together. Combine well.
  2. Massage the mixture gently onto your face, then allow it to dry.
  3. Rinse it off with cool water. Gently dab your skin dry.

Tips

  • This will gently firm and tone your skin, minimize pore size and get rid of dead skin so the fresh new skin underneath is revealed.
  • Those with dry skin should follow the facial with a moisturizer.
Warnings
  • Naturally, do not use this treatment if you are allergic to coffee or eggs!

How to Make an Egg Facial Mask

Want to have healthy glowing skin without paying for expensive face products? Just go to your fridge and pull out an egg. This is particularly good for oily skin. Using this facial on oily skin, you'll noticed an immediate reduction in oils. The egg white acts more like it draws the oils out, while the egg yolk acts as a type of moisturizer. You will want to do both parts of this one if you have oily skin. This also works very well for firming the skin.

Steps


  • Two Glasses
  • Egg
  • Water
  • Washcloth
  • Headband (optional)

  1. Get two small bowls.
  2. Crack one egg into one bowl.
  3. Separate the yolk and put it into the other bowl. Optional: Add a few drops of lemon juice if you have oily skin. It will help eliminate oil. Don't try it if you have dry skin, however, as it will irritate the skin.
  4. Spread the egg white around your face in circular upward motions while avoiding the eyes.
  5. Wait 15-30 minutes. You want it to 'harden' on your face.
  6. Wash the egg white off with warm water and pat dry.
  7. Break the yolk.
  8. Spread yolk around face in the same manner as the egg white.
  9. Wait 15-30 minutes.
  10. Wash the egg yolk off with warm water and pat dry.
  • Pull hair back and keep hair away from face while doing procedure.
  • Do at night and not in the morning.
  • Use only one egg.
  • Use a wash cloth or your hands to rinse the egg off.
  • You can also use this mask on your back thighs to get rid of the appearance of cellulite.

How to Get Rid of Acne

Acne is a broad term covering blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads. This condition can strike at any age. While there are many preventative measures you can take to avoid acne with good results, here's how to treat existing acne so that it disappears.

STEPS
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  1. Stop popping the pimples and zits. This will only risk encouraging your acne to stay due to inflammation, irritation, and possibly infection. Popping pimples or zits could also leave aresort. If a pimple comes up in a particularly bothersome place, learn how to target a single pimple. And if you're determined to pop, learn how to pop a pimple safely and properly.
  2. Use a mild soap for sensitive skin. It can be designed for acne-prone skin or not, but you will want to treat your skin gently. You do not need harsh antibacterial soap, which can actually make your acne worse.
  3. Remove dead skin cells regularly by exfoliating. Use a gentle scrub with natural defoliants like ground walnut shells, or use an over-the-counter chemical defoliants like salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Cocoa butter with ground walnut shell works well,too(It is a face wash.). Remember that over-ex foliating can actually increase the likelihood of acne by irritating the skin. Pat dry, rather than rubbing, since rubbing can cause irritation to the fresh skin you've just revealed.
  4. Use a good toner. Spray onto face or wipe on with a cotton ball and wipe off with a clean, dry cotton ball. This gets rid of excess cleanser and tightens pores. Good, inexpensive choices include plain witch hazel for normal to dry skin, or 3% hydrogen peroxide for oily skin. 70% ethyl rubbing alcohol can also be used for severe oiliness, but it can really dry out your skin and irritate it more. Some toners are medicated, too, and this stage is the best for using a medicated product if you're only going to use one medication. Lemon juice is a good option, too.
  5. Bacteria in pores is one cause of pimples. Reduce the amount of bacteria by using toners containing anti-bacterial agents like alcohol, peroxide and benzalkonium chloride, and by using creams that contain benzoyl peroxide, which kill bacteria as well as cause the skin to regenerate faster.
  6. Maintain a routine. Most acne treatments take time to work. It usually takes between two and eight weeks before you see any significant improvement, so you are going to have to be patient. Once you've gotten your acne cleared up, it's important to continue with the treatment that's working so it does not return.
  7. Understand that if all else fails, contact your GP. They may be able to prescribe specific mild antibiotics that can eliminate acne.
  8. Keep in mind though, that the widespread overuse(taking antibiotics when you really don't need them or for something they don't treat) and misuse(not taking medication for the specified amount of time) of antibiotics has led to the development of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria. That means that the antibiotics won't work for the things they used to (including your acne).
  9. Keep hair off of your face. If you want to keep your bangs, then consider taking showers regularly or keeping your forehead clean with oil-dabbing cloths / clean tissues / etc.
  10. Get some good sleep.
    • Acne medications may cause your skin to initially break out worse than before because all FDA-approved acne medications (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur) are causing your skin to regenerate faster. This brings existing acne pimples already under your skin (but not visible yet) to the surface, which in turn causes a massive but fortunately temporary break out. Give the medications about one to two weeks and you will notice a big difference in the quality of your skin.
    • You can also try Ciprofloxacin eye drops. Take 1/4 of a drop of the medicine on your finger (of course wash it) and apply it on acne or where it is prone to come. Don't put too much as putting too much has no benefit. Just a thin film will be enough. I works very well because ciprofloxacin is a wide spectrum antibiotic. Keep in mind Ciprofloxacin is a very powerful antibiotic used for serious infections. The widespread overuse and misuse(using for acne would defiantly fall into this category, as Cipro is used for serious infections like ANTHRAX) of antibiotics like cipro have led to the emergence of super bugs that are resistant to almost all of our most powerful antibiotics.
    • See a dermatologist if over the counter remedies do not work. They specialize in skin care and can prescribe you medicines that help you improve it.
    • Don't stress out! Stressing out can only makes acne worse. Find ways to stay calm in your life.
    • Drink plenty of water. Staying well hydrated can help your condition improve, because the "waste management" control system in your body requires a lot of water to do its job. Without enough water, the body has difficulty removing some waste products efficiently.
    • Look for face washes which contain the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide. This is the key ingredient in some of the best face washes. use a 5-10% benzoyl peroxide of mild to moderate acne and 10% for severe.
    • Try smashing one tablet of aspirin in a small bowl, then adding lemon juice to the mixture. Apply to the affected areas overnight. It boosts the healing process while reducing redness.
    • Try putting toothpaste (paste, NOT gel) on your face, cover it with a bandage, and keep it on all night. When you wash it off in the morning your acne will look better. The astringent and surfactant nature of the toothpaste will help diminish the appearance of pimples. But the toothpaste has been known to burn sensitive skin of the face, so be careful. If your face does burn, stop acne treatments and work on healing your burn.
    • Another way to zap pimples is shaving cream. Apply it to your pimple and it will dry it up. It disappears by morning, but wash your face after waking up.
    • If nothing is working for you, drink four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar diluted with water daily. It works very well for some people and is worth a try. Another good solution is aloe Vera gel fresh from the plant, taken orally.
    • You can also try taking a zinc tablet everyday.
    • Photo therapy or blue-light therapy is an increasingly common form of treating facial or body acne. It uses light that interact with peripheries in skin bacteria to reduce bacteria production and rectify acne. Many dermatologists use this form of treatment in a clinic setting, but it can be costly and time consuming. Health Canada recently approved a new product that has the same therapeutic effect, but it can be administered by the individual.
    • Get plenty of sleep! They don't call it "beauty-sleep" for nothing!
    • dab garlic juice on emerging and mature pimples
    • treat acne with benzoyl peroxide that are available in your local stores
    • disguise a pimple with eye-redness relieve eye drops by applying to a Q-tip and hold on pimple for about 10-15 seconds.
    • Mix a packet of fast acting yeast with enough tea tree oil to make a paste. Spread over emerging pimple and cover with bandage & leave on overnight because yeast will cause the pimples to rise out of the skin while the tea tree oil attacks it.
    • Soak a cotton ball in warm salt water. Press on top of blemish for 3 minutes to dissolve the top. Then, dab a bit of honey on the affected area to deep clean the pore and draw out bacteria. Let it sit for 10 minutes
    • Learn to live with acne: No one really wants acne, but it's hardly the worst skin ailment. It's likely you're the only person to notice. Learn how to use cover-ups such as tinted acne creams or makeup. Cover your forehead breakout with a breathable silk scarf.
    • One thing you should do is change your pillow case(s) every day. That way you won't get any oil or dirt on your face again.
    • Don't use "Proactiv" it doesn't work that well!
  11. Apply some sudocrem to your spots, This helps them.




How to Avoid Acne

Common acne (aka "acne vulgaris") is a skin condition characterized by what are often called pimples or zits. It can occur anywhere on the body and at any age, though it typically affects teenagers on the face and back. Some factors, such as being in puberty, can't be altered, but you can take steps to avoid and prevent acne. Keep yourself healthy and presentable by removing factors that contribute to acne.

  1. Remove dead skin cells regularly by exfoliating. Use an abrasive cloth or scrub, or use an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Remember that over-exfoliating can actually increase the likelihood of red, dry skin by irritating the skin.
  2. Remove bacteria from your pores. Your skin can become "allergic" to this bacteria. Use anti-bacterial products containing benzoyl peroxide by rubbing, twice daily, into the pores over the affected region or washing with a medicated bar soap or wash. Keep in mind that this may cause dryness, local irritation and redness.
  3. Avoid exposing your skin to other sources of oil and irritants.

    • Break the habit of touching your face.
    • Keep bangs off of your forehead. The oil in hair as well as hair products in general may clog pores.
    • If you use a phone a lot, don't let it touch your face.
    • Change your pillowcases and sheets once a week to prevent the build-up of oils and bacteria that can re-occupy your pores.
    • Use non-comedogenic moisturizers and makeup. Choose cosmetics that are water-based and hypoallergenic. Avoid oil-based products, coal tar derivatives, and heavy creams. Make sure you wash your skin thoroughly every night to remove makeup residue.
  4. Review your diet and the research surrounding the links between diet and acne. The relationship between food and acne is a debatable topic. Your diet may or may not have an effect on acne.

    • Studies have shown a correlation between milk and acne. Try substituting with soy milk and other calcium-rich foods.
    • Excessive consumption of foods high in iodine, such as seafood, may worsen acne, but probably won't trigger it.
    • Research suggests--but does not prove--that a diet with a low glycemic index may reduce the likelihood of acne. High glycemic foods to replace with healthier alternatives include:

      • soft drinks (drink water instead)
      • sweets (substitute with fruit)
      • white bread (replace with whole wheat bread)
  5. Consult a dermatologist regarding your acne. Minimize use of medication containing halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides), lithium, barbiturates, or androgens.
  6. Keep your bedsheets clean. Wash your pillow case on a regular schedule to reduce the transfer of natural body oils.
  7. Wash your face at least two times a day. Use face washes specifically designed to remove oils and bacteria that contribute to acne.


How to Lighten Your Skin

Healthy skin is more beautiful than fair skin. Follow these steps to create a healthy glow.

Tips
----
1. Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight.
2. Use any good sunblock while going out.
3. Drink plenty of clean water regularly.
4. Watch your diet. Include healthy fruits and vegetables.
5. Wash your face to keep it clean.
6. Use some good skin whitening cream. Lemon juice with a bit of yogurt once a day is an excellent mild bleach.
7. Use turmeric: grind up "face turmeric" with olive oil and chickpea flour

Tips
----
* Cut a lemon into 2 halves. Rub it gently on your face and neck. Wash it after 10-20 minutes. Doing it regularly will cleanse your skin.
* Using masks made from flour, or finely ground grams [pulses], can make your skin shine. Just add some milk, apply on skin and wash after 15 minutes.
* Milk is a natural skin whitener. Apply milk on your face. Wash it after some time.

How to Get Beautiful, Glowing Skin

Is your skin dull and dry or shiny and oily? Want to know how to rid yourself of it? Follow these steps to improve your skin!
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  1. Keep heavy cosmetics to a minimum. Try lighter make-up, if necessary, like BareMinerals.
  2. Apply a sunscreen to your skin and a chapstick/lip balm with SPF.
  3. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser in the morning when you wake up, like Cetaphil or Clean & Clear. Think about it - you have been tossing and turning all night on a pillow covered with bacteria and hair product residue.
  4. Wash your face before you go to bed at night. Your face has been exposed to polluted air, oils from your hands, and other environmental factors all day. Remember to NEVER go to bed with make-up on.
  5. Wash your face with warm/hot water to open your pores. Then use your cleanser and rinse off with warm/hot water. Finish by rinsing with cold water or rubbing ice on your face to close your pores and help keep them clean.
  6. Steam your pores open to cleanse about once a week. How?
    • Boil a pot of water. You can add a drop of something like rosemary oil, if you like.
    • Drape a towel over your hair.
    • Hold your face about 6" away from the water's surface for about 3-5 minutes.
    • Cleanse and follow up with the cold water or ice.
  7. Exercise. Cardio is what will give your skin that glow, because it stimulates blood flow.
  8. Use a nutritive skin care product at night and get plenty of sleep.
  9. Use a weekly moisturizing or anti aging mask on face and neck, preferably after exfoliating the skin.
  10. Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. This will help clear your skin and give it a glow, because it will help rid toxins from your body.
  11. A HEALTHY DIET!
    • You are what you eat, and incorpoating healthy food like vegetables, fruits, grains, and protein will help. Omega 3 Fatty Acids found in fish and walnuts is especially beneficial to your skin. Vitamin C will help existing pimples heal faster, so eating a few servings of things like citrus fruits will help. If you're worried you aren't getting enough of necessary vitamins and minerals, try taking a multivitamin.
    • Steer clear of foods and drinks high in sugar and caffeine. Which means you should cut down on, or completely remove soda, coffee, and sugary juices fromy our diet.
    • Try to consume less than 45g of sugar on a daily basis.
    • Cut down on salty foods. Eating too much salt can make your face look bloated.
  12. Exfoliate about once a week also. You can do this by buying an exfoliator or by using a washcloth to rub your cleanser in - just make sure it's clean! Exfoliating will remove dead, dull skin.
  13. Always follow up a cleanse with a moisturizer made for your skin type. Especially after exfoliating!
  14. Do NOT pick at existing pimples. When you pick at or pop a pimple, you are spreading the bacteria from that onto the rest of your face.
  15. Try to keep your hands off your face as much as possible. Your hands naturally have oils on them that can clog pores.
  16. Try to keep stress to a minimum. I know for a fact that the majority of us have to deal with stress frequently, but stress can cause break-outs. Try meditating or just taking a few minutes in the day to sit back, clear your mind, and do something you enjoy.
  17. Excersise regularly, and drink lots of water.
  18. Use a moisturizing or anti aging facial mask once a week, preferably after exfoliating the skin.
  19. Use a nutritive skin care product to feed the skin during the night.
  20. Get plenty of sleep.

How to get amazing clear skin within weeks!

Some tips to get amazing clear skin within weeks
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Wash your face with WARM water every morning. Then, clean your face with the cleanser. Rub it in circles all over your face for about 30 seconds and rinse off. Pat your face dry with a towel and apply toner with cotton wool. When the toner has dried, apply moisturizer. Next apply your make up.


* Drink lots of water to help your skin to be healthy, and try and eat healthily too.


* Make sure your hair is always clean as grease from your finger or the front of your hair could be making your skin oily.

* If you have spots, don't pick them or squeeze them. Leave them alone. However, some zits need to have the cover or "top" to it taken off. But please, don't overdo it. Don't tear up your skin trying to get the top off a zit! If you gently squeeze after doing so, the puss will come out of the zit, unclogging the pore. After you do this, put the cream or gel with the benzoyl peroxide in it on top of where the zit used to be. This can possibly clear a zit right up!

* Make a routine. Exfoliate once a week with normal skin, and twice a week for oily. This keeps the skin fresh and helps to reduce black heads. Also try using a facemask once a month.


# Wash your face with WARM water every morning. Then, clean your face with the cleanser. Rub it in circles all over your face for about 30 seconds and rinse off. Pat your face dry with a towel and apply toner with cotton wool. When the toner has dried, apply moisturizer. Next apply your make up.

# Take off your make up with the wipes you've bought every night before you go to sleep. Wash your face with cold water again, use toner, and moisturizer.

# OPTIONAL: Make an emergency zit kit including a zit cream that has salicylic acid and/or benzoyl peroxide, a cream that reduces redness, a concealer stick, and translucent powder (the powder should absorb excess oils on your face).

# Wait a few weeks; you should notice that your skin becomes smoother and clearer.


# FAST TIP:
# A super easy overnight way to rid your self of all pimples is....
# Materials--> Equal parts water and baking soda
# Do--> Mix together and apply with a regular-size Q-Tip directly on the pimple. Do not rub in. Will dry zit and decrease redness. Optional: After mixture is dry, apply a toner/cleanser/moisturizer or solution like ProActiv.

Thankyou for reading.