Spring Beauty and Skin Care Tips

As winter winds down, it's easy to feel discouraged about the way you look. After all, we've been living through months of constant indoor heat on top of bitter cold weather leaving our skin flaky, dry and looking aged.

With spring come sunshine, humidity, and time spent outdoors. And since spring is a time of rejuvenation and growth, it's the perfect occasion to pamper your skin. And if you’re on a tight budget, you’re in luck. There are a number of ways to improve your skin health without expensive facial scrubs, moisturizers, or wrinkle serums.

EXFOLIATE

If you haven't scrubbed those dead skin cells off your face all winter, it’s definitely time to start. You should be exfoliating two to three times per week.

DRINK WATER

Aim for eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. An easy way to break it down is to drink an 8 ounce glass first thing in the morning, mid-morning, late afternoon, and before bed. Then, have a glass of water before each meal or snack. This will not only get you to your 8 glasses, it will help fill you up, causing you to eat less and potentially lose weight. You'll also likely see an increase in your energy levels and an improved mood, so get drinking.

YOUR FEET NEED A LITTLE TLC

We’re guessing you have seriously neglected your feet over the winter. With feet bundled up constantly in thick socks and boots, who can blame you? With flip-flop season right around the corner though, it's time to give your feet some attention.

Fill a foot basin or other container with six cups of warm or hot water and two cups of milk. The milk is a mild exfoliator and will also soothe your skin. Sit back, relax and soak for 5 to 10 minutes. This step will soften your skin, getting them ready for exfoliating.

After soaking, use a pumice stone to remove dry, calloused skin from your feet. Focus especially on your heels, which often build up the thickest skin. Scrub gently with the stone for several minutes.

BODY BLITZ

Along with not paying enough attention to your feet, we’d guess you didn’t shave as often in the winter as you do in the summer. After all, if you're all covered up anyway, why bother? But with spring and summer comes bare skin so it’s time to get to work.

Before you grab the razor, exfoliate your entire body to remove dead skin cells. You can easily make a body scrub at home by simply mixing two cups of coffee grounds (used), a half-cup of sugar, and a half-cup (or less) of olive oil.

After you've finished shaving, apply moisturiser before you leave the humid bathroom. This will help seal the moisture into your skin and reduce the chance that you develop razor rash or shave bumps.

TAKE YOUR VITAMINS

One of the best things you can do for your skin is to increase your intake of antioxidants, which helps protect skin from free radicals. Free radicals are found in food, as well as tobacco smoke and polluted air. Free radicals cause skin damage and, over time, contribute to aging by destroying collagen. The less collagen you have, the more wrinkles you get.

Your skin will benefit greatly if you increase your consumption of vitamins E, C, and K. Getting enough vitamin A is also essential - if you're not getting enough, your skin responds by becoming dry and flaky. Most fruits and vegetables have plenty of vitamin A, so eating healthy will certainly help improve your skin's tone and elasticity.

BE AWARE OF THE DRY AIR

This is a good time to take a look at the types of products we are using for our skincare regimen and the need to make a change.

WEAR SUNSCREEN

 Be sure to use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.  If you use makeup daily, mineral-based makeup usually has an SPF and will add to your protection when applied over your moisturizer.  even on a short walk to your car, you’re exposed to the sun’s harmful rays.

GO NATURAL

This season, it’s all about being as natural as possible and working with your natural assets.  Trade your smokey eye for a more neutral and simple eye. Give your skin a natural glow with a loose mineral powder that can act as a foundation, concealer and powder. Choose a lip color one or two shades darker than your natural color and keep your eyebrows groomed to complete this natural look.

COLOR ME NEUTRAL

 This spring, show your natural side with colors that are similar to your natural coloring. Don’t be afraid to “glam it up, by adding a sweep of shimmery bronze or gold shadow over your eyelids to make them pop.

PERFECT PRODUCTS

 Natural products are all the rage right now. There are some beauty products which are very harmful for our skin. So we must stopped these type of beauty products and always try to use safe and natural product for skin care.  

  

Hopefully these little tips can get you feeling all beautiful and motivated coming into the warmer months of spring. Feeling good has never been easy with my budget friendly tips above.

Beauty and Skin Care Tips to Care and Resolve Eczema-Prone Skin.

Eczema is a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding, sometimes resulting from a reaction to irritation (eczematous dermatitis) but more typically having no obvious external cause.

 Symptoms of Eczema

Which part of the skin is affected, eczema is almost always itchy. Sometimes the itching will start before the rash appears, but when it does, the rash most commonly appears on the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands, or feet. It may also affect other areas as well.

Affected areas usually appear very dry, thickened, or scaly. In fair-skinned people, these areas may initially appear reddish and then turn brown. Among darker-skinned people, eczema can affect pigmentation, making the affected area lighter or darker.

In infants, the itchy rash can produce an oozing, crusting condition that happens mainly on the face and scalp, but patches may appear anywhere.

 Causes of Eczema

The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it's thought to be linked to an overactive response by the body's immune system to an irritant. It is this response that causes the symptoms of eczema.

In addition, eczema is commonly found in families with a history of other allergies or asthma. Also, defects in the skin barrier could allow moisture out and germs in.

Some people may have "flare-ups" of the itchy rash in response to certain substances or conditions. For some, coming into contact with rough or coarse materials may cause the skin to become itchy. For others, feeling too hot or too cold, exposure to certain household products like soap or detergent, or coming into contact with animal dander may cause an outbreak. Upper respiratory infections or colds may also be triggers. Stress may cause the condition to worsen.

Although there is no cure, most people can effectively manage their disease with medical treatment and by avoiding irritants. The condition is not contagious and can't be spread from person to person. There have given some prevention tips for managing eczema-prone skin

CONTROL THE ITCH TO SCRATCH.

The first sign of an eczema outbreak is an uncontrollable itch. However, you need to practice incredible self control and not scratch the itch away because this stimulates the nerve endings and causes inflammation in the area. Bacteria can enter the skin through scratches and open wounds. This would lead to a rash, which then triggers more itchiness. A great way to keep the itchiness in check is to put ice on the affected area.

GENTLE BATHS

It’s important to keep your skin as clean as possible to prevent further skin complications in the area. Taking a bath is essential, but don’t let your shower time exceed 10 minutes or you’ll risk drying out your sensitive skin. With that in mind, keep shower temperatures lower than 33°C to avoid further inflammation. Use a gentle skin cleanser and always pat your skin dry rather than giving it the rub down.

MOISTURISING IS A MUST

Emollient rich moisturisers are important in eczema skincare. When used in conjunction with a corticosteroid cream, the moisturiser can soothe dry skin and protect the epidermis against harmful elements. The best time to apply moisturiser is right after a shower as it helps seal in the moisture.

ONLY USE NATURAL SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

As it is, your skin is sensitive, the last thing you want is a negative reaction to soap chemicals or synthetic perfumes and dyes. Natural skin care products are your best option because they’re usually free of fragrance, colourings and chemicals. Read the product ingredients and if you can’t identify any of the ingredients outside of a lab, it’s certainly not something you should be using on your skin.

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET

Clothing is an often overlooked factor in the fight against eczema. The clothes you wear can contribute to itchiness. Scratchy fabrics like wool and fleece often aggravate the situation and sometimes even prevent skin from breathing by trapping moisture beneath the surface. Likewise, clothes that are not washed properly can make matters worse as the chemicals from the laundry detergent can wreak havoc on sensitive skin.

Winter Skin Care and Beauty Tips

For many people, the cold clear days of winter bring more than just a rosy glow to the cheeks. They also bring uncomfortable dryness to the skin of the face, hands, and feet. For some people, the problem is worse than just a general tight, dry feeling. The low humidity, common in many parts of the United States and Northern Mexico during winter can cause dry, irritated skin. When skin becomes dry and irritated, eczema can flare.

 

1.      Seek a specialist

 If you go to your local drugstore, you’ll be hard put to find a salesperson who can give you good advice. That’s why going to a dermatologist even once is a good investment. Such a specialist can analyze your skin type, troubleshoot your current skin care regimen, and give you advice on the skin care products you should be using. 

2.      Use a humidifier

With the heat on and the windows closed, the air inside can become very dry in the winter, making the dryness and itching of eczema even worse. Use a humidifier to place moisture in the air. Placing two or three of these around your home will help to humidify the dry air. This can keep skin from drying and becoming cracked and itchy.

3.      Switch to an oil-based moisturizer and moisturize frequently

You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in spring and summer.  But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine. I recommend to find an “ointment” moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labeled as “night creams” are oil-based.) But choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for “nonclogging” oils, like avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil, or almond oil. You can also look for lotions containing “humectants,” a class of substances (including glycerine, sorbitol, and low concentration alpha-hydroxy acids) that attract moisture to your skin. Ointments should not be used on areas of the body that tend to get hot and sweaty. Remember to moisturize your skin immediately after washing:

•    For your body that means after the bath or shower.
•    For your face that usually means morning and night.
•    For your hands that means many times during the day.
•    For your lips it means coating them throughout the day with a hydrating lip balm, especially when you’re outdoors or in hot, dry, indoor air.

4.      Sunscreen all year long

 No, sunscreen isn’t just for summertime. Winter sun, combined with snow glare, can still damage your skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum SPF30+ sunscreen to your face and your hands (if they’re exposed) about 20-30 minutes before going outside. Don’t forget your ears and lips too! Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time. Sunscreen is important in winter as the sun’s reflective powers are great year round (17% on the sand and 80% on the snow). Today, several products are available that combine oily, moisturizing cream with sunscreen. If you are unsure of which product to use, ask a dermatologist.

5.      Before Going Outside in Winter

 Don’t forget your gloves. Protecting hands from the cold air and low humidity plays an important role in preventing flare-ups. Make sure the gloves are made from material that does not irritate your skin. Some patients find that wearing a cotton mitten next to the skin and a woolen mitten over the cotton one, keeps hands warm and without the risk of irritation.

6.      Dress in layers

 The most common triggers of the scratch/itch cycle are sweating and overheating. Wearing layers allows you to remove clothing as needed to prevent overheating. Be sure to wear loose-fitting cotton fabrics next to your skin.

7.      Shed wet clothes and shoes immediately

These can irritate the skin and cause a flare-up of eczema or even fungal infections.

8.      Grease up your feet

Yes, those minty foot lotions are lovely in the hot summer months, but during the winter, your feet need stronger stuff. Try finding lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerine instead. And use exfoliants to get the dead skin off periodically; that helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper.

9.      Pace the facials/masks

If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no alcohol, and masks that are “deeply hydrating,” rather than clay-based, which tends to draw moisture out of the face. And use them a little less often. I recommend using a mild/sensitive skin cleanser for the face, saving the soap from the neck below.

10.  Avoid hot baths

Sure, soaking in a burning-hot bath feels great after frolicking out in the cold. But the intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. You’re better off with just warm water and staying in the water a shorter amount of time, with showers lasting no more than 10 minutes.