Skin Care With Aroma Therapy

Aromatherapy has been around us, and practiced in one or other shape since the beginning of civilization. It is an art and science of using oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance our health and beauty.

Today, aromatherapy is widely practiced all over the world. It is often integrated into holistic treatments, and is used in spa treatments and massage oil, and other relaxation products. Aromatherapy can give glow, not only to your hair but to your skin also.

Aroma therapy, a massage factor to pamper your skin:

• Massage is perhaps the most popular way to use essential oils. It combines the healing art of aromatherapy with the healing art of touch.
• Self-massage is just as effective as being massaged by another person, and lack of a partner is no excuse for not trying these relaxing recipes.
• Always use essential oils diluted in carrier oil. Never place them directly onto the skin.
• As a general rule, do not exceed ten drops of total essential oils per mixture, and try to keep it around five for maximum effectiveness.
• Read all the precautions at the bottom before using.

Aromatherapy-some Do's and Don'ts:

Do's:

• It is very easy to get started with Aromatherapy, but there are safety issues that you need to be aware of. Always have the habit of reading the instructions given on the bottle. This is because; many oils have the nature of irritation if used on the wrong type of skin.
• Be selective of where you purchase your essential oils. The quality of essential oils varies widely from company to company. Additionally, some companies may falsely claim that their oils are undiluted or pure when they aren't. Be aware of these issues.
• It is also helpful to note the country of origin for the oil. Most good essential oil sellers will readily supply the botanical names and country of origin for the oils that they sell. When comparing one company's oils with another's, also pay attention to if either company's oils are organic, wild-crafted or ethically farmed.

Don'ts:

• Differentiate between perfume oils and therapeutic oils. Don't buy perfume oils thinking they are the same thing as essential oils. Perfume oils do not offer the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. Even if you only intend on using aromatherapy in your lifestyle for the sheer enjoyment of the aroma, essential oils that are breathed in can offer therapeutic benefits. These benefits do not occur with the use of perfume oils.
• Don't buy essential oils with rubber glass dropper tops. Essential oils are very concentrated and will turn the rubber to a gum thus ruining the oil.
• It is better not to purchase oils from vendors at street fairs, craft shows, or other limited-time events. Some vendors know beginners have no recourse against them later. This is not to say that there are not highly reputable sellers at such events, but this is a caution for beginners who are not able to reliably judge quality.

Do enjoy introducing Aromatherapy in your lifestyle

Skin Care Secrets

Skin plays a vital role in everyone's life that how one looks and feels, is directly related to one skin. Great skin is the first step towards an excellent makeup also. Making the best choices for our bodies, and ultimately our skin, is achieved through good diet/ food, exercise, regular professional treatments, personalized homecare, and above all, a healthy mental attitude.

Secret solutions for skin care:
As far as your daily diet is concerned, track these three secrets in your routine to have a glowing and sensuous skin.

1. Avoid eating chocolates and foods or drinks that are made with cocoa combination. There is a link between chocolate and skin conditions such as pimples.
2. Avoid fried and fatty foods in general.
3. Avoid starchy foods. No cakes, biscuits, sweets, bread or Jams.

The first and foremost step towards beautiful skin is working out what your skin type is. This is necessary, so that you can move forward how to care for your skin, and what products should be used. Below are the 5 different features of skin types, which you can compare to your own skin type. Once you have decided what type your skin is, you can find out what the best way is to look after your skin.

1. Dry skin
2. Oily skin
3. Combinational skin
4. Sensitive skin
5. Normal skin

Care for Dry skin:

• For dry skin, use a creamy cleanser to melt away dirt. Leave it on your skin before sweeping it away with cotton wool. Splash cold water onto your face to clean and refresh your skin. Use a thick cream moisturizer to seal in as much moisture as possible and have a refreshing feel.

Care for Oily skin:

• To care for oily skin you should start with a gentle, foaming facial wash. This will remove dirt and oil without stripping away moisture. Soak cotton wool in a gentle astringent lotion and sweep it over your skin to refresh and cool it.
• Even oily skin needs a moisturizer, but choose a light, watery fluid; this will be enough for your skin. Allow the moisturizer to sink in well and then absorb the excess with a tissue to prevent shine.

Care for Combinational skin:

• If you have combinational skin use a foaming facial wash in the mornings to cleanse your skin. This will keep the oily areas clean to prevent blackheads. In the evening use a cream cleanser to soothe your dry areas. This will keep a balance between excess dryness and excess oiliness. Use a strong astringent for your oily areas and a mild skin freshener for the dry areas. This is not an expensive option, as you will need a little of each. Use moisturizer on your whole face, but make sure you concentrate on your drier areas.

Care for Sensitive Skin:

• If you have sensitive skin, do not use facial washes or soap; instead use a light, hypoallergenic cleansing lotion. Use a moisturizer to strengthen your skin and provide a barrier against irritants. Make sure you use an non perfumed moisturizer, which will not irritate your skin.

Care for Normal Skin:

• To care for normal skin you should start with a gentle foaming facial wash. Massaging it into your face will give you a rosy complexion. Cool your skin with a refreshing toner, and massage it with your fingers in light upward strokes.

Natural Skin Care

Skin Care…. Naturally
Many of us have no idea about our skin type and what should be used on the skin to get the glow/complexion like our favorite star. Instead of thinking about trying for the lotions available in the market, which turns to give 'nil result', try these simpler tips to gift yourself, the sensational skin. These are more of naturally nourishing, inexpensive and easy to prepare.

Undoubtedly, following these tips would give you best of the results, only after using it at regular basis and at regular intervals. So, be ready to pamper your skin with these 'natural skin care' recipes.

Even your favorite star might be using these tips… in her daily routine!

1.Caring Carrot Mask: Take a carrot, grate and mix it well with one spoon of honey. Apply this all over the face and leave it for only 15 minutes. Now wash and feel the difference after regular use.

2.Punch of a Pineapple: After mashing up well a pineapple slice, mix it with the juice of an orange or a lemon and add all these ingredients with wheat flour. Apply this mixture on the face and neck. Scrub it off after some time, to get fresh and smooth skin.

3.Lemon-Egg Protector: Whip an egg white till it gets peak up and store it in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Now add the juice of a lemon and a grated tomato with this. Apply on the skin; practice the same for minimum of a month to get the soft skin.

4.Guava Grace: Mash one guava; stir it well with the mixture of oatmeal and lemon juice. Apply this now on the face for about 20 minutes and wash it off to see the better glow.

5.Spinach Support: Take a cup of raw pureed spinach, and one spoon of fresh cream, mix well all these and apply on the face. Leave it for about half an hour and wash it off to see the charming skin to support your great looks.

6.Ravishing Radish Touch: Take half grated fresh radish, one spoon of vinegar, one spoon of lemon juice and one spoon of honey. Mix all these ingredients in a glass of distilled water and store in a bottle. Wipe your skin regularly to shrink open pores and reduce greasiness.

7.Healthy Honey treat: Mix one spoon of honey with the white of an egg and grated potato. Apply this on the face and let it dry. Wash it off with cold water and feel the magic of freshness.

8.Marvel milk treatment: Mix together 50 grams dried pea powder, lemon juice, one pinch of camphor and a little milk. Apply it over the face and leave it for 15 minutes and scrub it off with milk. This is good for treating scars.

9.Strawberry silky soft: Mix well about 5 strawberries, one spoon of china clay and the juice of a small orange. Apply this on the face and scrub it after about 20minutes with a towel dipped in cold water.

10.Tomato and Sandal pack: Mix well one grated tomato, one spoon of sandalwood powder and half spoon of china clay. Mix again all these ingredients in rose water and apply on the face, leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it off to feel tightened skin.

Facial Skin Care

Before you start up doing facials, the first and foremost thing to do is to identify your skin type. The five major types of the skin are Oily skin, Dry skin, Normal skin, Combinational skin and Sensitive skin. After analyzing your skin type, follow the facial treatment, as under, according to your skin type needs.

When you get the facial done for the first time, go to a qualified beautician, who can assess your skin type and recommend an appropriate facial.

Some of the basic and effective facials to stay beautiful…!

Acne facial:
It is intended for handling of acne. Particular masks and emulsions are used to dry skin complaints like pimples, clean blackheads and lighten acne scars. Sometimes a beautician may use high frequency current to dry the pimples.

Bio lift facial:
A particular biologically prepared mask is used for stiffening the loose skin at the age of forty plus. Better consult your Dermatologist for the right prescription of the mask.

Fruit facials:
Fruit mash like papaya or other fleshy fruit and vegetable juices are used for this kind of facial. The advantages of a fruit facial are attained on regular use at initial stage. It's advisable to take a patch test with the fruit or fruit juices to check if your skin is allergic to that particular fruit /vegetable juice. Or else you will end up with skin complaints.

Aroma facials:
Facial massage can be done with aromatic oils used for massage purposes. Different oils carry different benefits for your skin. Therefore, the kind of oils used depends on individual needs. For example, eucalyptus oil improves skin elasticity. Likewise every oil is having it's own healing effect for you skin.

Gold facial:
This is a clinical treatment and uses special methods of massage. The treatment encourages lymphatic drainage and removal of wastes and toxins. The main ingredients are gold cream and gold gel. These contain 24 carat gold, aloevera, wheat germ oil and sandalwood. The gold facial helps to improve blood circulation, skin elasticity, rejuvenates the skin and helps in delaying the formation of lines and wrinkles.

Pearl facial: The precious pearl and whitening dehydrated moisturizing cream is used along with sea oil and a sea scrub. Research has revealed that pearls contain a combination of natural substances that help to improve rejuvenation of the skin cells. This treatment is ideal for pigmented skins, provides hydration to the skin and makes the skin firm, soft, smooth and young.

Eye Skin Care

Although our skin is of single and largest organ of our body, not all part of our skin is created with same character. For example, the skin on the scalp has embedded hair follicles, and the skin of the nose and cheeks tends to have active glands. The skin around your eyes is very sensitive and delicate, which needs good care at all age. Weather its summer or winter or any other season, follow some simple steps and guidelines as under, to have healthier skin around your eyes!

• To reduce the dark circles around your eyes, no matter at what age you are, get at least seven to eight hours sleep every night. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated would help you working against gravity; which causes fluid to collect in your lower eyelids resulting in dark circles.
• Use an eye cream around the eyes to keep moisture in the skin.
• When applying cream or make up around the eyes use the ring finger (as it exerts less pressure).
• Don't rub eyes frequently as this can cause an eye infection and in turn causing infection in the skin around eyes. This is because; few of us bother to wash our hands before touching our eyes.

Some more Do's and Don'ts to soften and rejuvenate your eye skin:

Do's:

• Dip cotton pads in chilled milk and place on closed eyes for 10 minutes. Now relax completely. This is to relax the eye skin muscles when they are tired after working with computers.
• Grate a potato with its peel and apply on your closed eyelids for about 20 minutes and relax completely. This is to care your eyes to have firm muscles.
• Put sliced cucumber over your eyes to avoid developing dark circles.
• If your eyes are red and feeling itchy, massage your scalp with curd, to reduce the unwanted temperature around your eye skin.
• Wash your eyes with cold water often to get sparkling feel for your eye skin.
• Give a massage to the eyes, by gentle finger movement always down to up.

Don'ts:

• Don't wear contact lenses for extended periods of time or overnight as this makes your eyes feel tiring and hence giving unnecessary strain to your eye skin.
• When you splash water do not do this furiously believing doing this will take away tiredness instead wash gently as splashing may hurtle the smallest dust particles or an allergen which may damage the cornea which will again spoil your eye skin as well.
• Don't use handkerchiefs to wipe eyes, instead use disposable tissues, which are more hygienic to your sensitive eye skin.
• Don't sit near by the television and minimum of 15 feet distance should be maintained from the television and keep your book at least two feet away to strengthen your eye skin muscles.
• Use cream based eye makeup as powdery eye shadows can enter eyes and, cause irritation to the eye muscles and skin near by your eyes.
• Do not handle your eyes and eyelids harsh while using lenses, as the skin will soon loose its strength by handling rough manner.
• Don't use your mascara for more than a year, as it may weaken your eye skin.

Beach Sun Care

On the arrival of summer, many people look forward to spending time outside in the sun, especially in the beach, as one feel stuffy all the time living inside the air conditioned environment. Whether you're playing sports, walking on the beaches, gardening or just lounging, using the proper skin protection products can help prevent sun damage.

As we all know, skin being the largest living organ of our body, surely special protection and precautions would help you feel better about your skin, for the entire life. Ultraviolet rays are harmful to the human skin that many skin diseases happen and affects more than 10 million people all over the world every year. As the sun intensifies during the summer, it is more important than ever to prepare your skin, lips and hair to endure these dangerous sunrays, particularly while you are on the beaches.

• Prepare yourself with some of the tips here under, to take care of your sensitive skin from the beach sun. Don't allow the sun to ruin your summer holidays…!

Your beach bag in summer

• A water resistant sunscreen lotion will help protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin at least 20 minutes before going out for the beach. Also reapply the sunscreen after swimming.
• A medicated lip protection guard will help your lips not to loose the moisture. There are good quality lip balms, which could keep your lips smooth.
• Besides providing shade for your face, a wide hat can protect your hair from the damage by the sun. Choose the right size to fit in your head and sit in the shade whenever it is possible.
• Protecting hair from sun's rays is important, when you are out in the sun on beaches. There are some protective hair sprays specially made for this purpose are available, less in chemical content, will help you safeguard your hair texture from the sea breeze.
• Due to overexposure to the sun, many of us could develop common diseases like cold, fever etc. It is important to keep medications on hand for unexpected happenings.

On the arrival of summer, many people look forward to spending time outside in the sun, especially in the beach, as one feel stuffy all the time living inside the air conditioned environment. Whether you're playing sports, walking on the beaches, gardening or just lounging, using the proper skin protection products can help prevent sun damage.

As we all know, skin being the largest living organ of our body, surely special protection and precautions would help you feel better about your skin, for the entire life. Ultraviolet rays are harmful to the human skin that many skin diseases happen and affects more than 10 million people all over the world every year. As the sun intensifies during the summer, it is more important than ever to prepare your skin, lips and hair to endure these dangerous sunrays, particularly while you are on the beaches.

• Prepare yourself with some of the tips here under, to take care of your sensitive skin from the beach sun. Don't allow the sun to ruin your summer holidays…!

Your beach bag in summer

• A water resistant sunscreen lotion will help protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin at least 20 minutes before going out for the beach. Also reapply the sunscreen after swimming.
• A medicated lip protection guard will help your lips not to loose the moisture. There are good quality lip balms, which could keep your lips smooth.
• Besides providing shade for your face, a wide hat can protect your hair from the damage by the sun. Choose the right size to fit in your head and sit in the shade whenever it is possible.
• Protecting hair from sun's rays is important, when you are out in the sun on beaches. There are some protective hair sprays specially made for this purpose are available, less in chemical content, will help you safeguard your hair texture from the sea breeze.
• Due to overexposure to the sun, many of us could develop common diseases like cold, fever etc. It is important to keep medications on hand for unexpected happenings.

Anti Aging Skin Care

As we catch hold of age, our skin slowly loses its moisture and elasticity, making our complexion look dull and blister. Every age brings along it's own problems and some effective skin treatments as mentioned below can fight with these problems at different stages of your life.

Your skin at twenties: The twenties are likely to see your skin at its best. Drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, exercising regularly, following a good skin care routine and eating healthy will ensure that your skin glows through your twenties. This will also ensure that the damaged caused to skin by pollution and the passage of time is reduced.

Treatments on-hand at twenties:

• A deep cleansing treatment can be done every five weeks and this is highly suited for those with oily skin. The skin gets nourished in using masks containing evening prime rose and rosemary leaf oil.
• A combination of treatments, along with a home care routine is prescribed to reduce acne, at regular intervals.
• Rain or shine, never leave the house without sunscreen.
• No matter how tired you are, be sure to remove by washing all of your makeup before going to bed. Makeup can clog pores and interfere with your skin's rejuvenation process that occurs while you sleep.
• Choose an oil-free moisturizer to help prevent breakouts.

Your skin at thirties: You feel for the first time the signs of aging at thirties, when the skin around the eyes, mouth and neck area starts changing. After 30, the skin's natural process of exercise slows down and the natural fibers decrease. More water is lost which leads to drying and decreases the skin's natural protection barrier. If you're starting to notice fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration, it's time to take a good look at how you're caring for your skin.

Treatments on-hand at thirties:

• Along with daily sunscreen, your skin needs extra moisture, as it tends to get drier as we age. Consider using a richer moisturizer before applying your sunscreen each morning.
• To fight the skin damages due to pollution and stress, use a cream rich in its natural products in nights.
• Protect the soft skin around the eye area by using a treatment gel that helps to fight wrinkles while moisturizing this delicate area. Try intensive anti-wrinkle Treatment eye gels, a product that stimulates collagen synthesis while hydrating the skin and is available easily at drugstores nationwide.
• The good time to consult a physician for good advices for your skin care is your thirties. Ask questions about what to expect in the years ahead. Skin specialties have access to a variety of treatments to help reduce or eliminate the signs of aging and improve the overall appearance of the skin.

Your skin at forties: At early and late forties, dryness of the skin increases, since one has not followed a good skin care routine in the past. Sunspots, age spots and pigmentation might appear in the late forties. Your maturing skin may require more aggressive care, so make sure to explore the vast array of anti-aging products available.

Treatments on- hand at forties:

• Collagen facials can help accelerating the skin regeneration.
• As one grows older, the muscles of the face and neck begin to sag and fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear. Some no surgical face-lifting treatments can be performed on the skin to feel younger.
• Using paraffin wax to maintain the hydration and suppleness of the skin, which will in turn, ensure softening the skin.
• Treat yourself to a professional facial once a month.
• Use a night cream to help renew and replenish your skin while you sleep.

Healthy Nails Look Best

Be aware of conditions and treatments to help prevent your nail problems… There are certain disorders or illness that can affect the nail. All of then have their own treatment as well. Given below are a few disorders and how to deal with them.

Nail disorders and procedure to handle them:

• Discolored Nails: In this condition the color of the nail changes. It may change to green, yellow, blue, red and/or purple. The change in color may be caused by a heart condition, poor blood circulation or medicines being used. You can cover up the discoloration by using nail polish or artificial nails.
• Eggshell Nails: Nails that are very thin and fragile are called Eggshell Nails. In this condition the nail curves over the tip of the finger. This maybe a result of nervous disorder, diet or medication. The treatment is to keep your nails trimmed at all times. If you realize that this condition is being caused by medication discontinue the medication.
• Furrows: These are long ridges that run up and down or across the nails. These may be caused by poor blood circulation, medication, lack of zinc in your diet or frostbite. Some may get deeper as time passes. Applying ridge filler of any kind or buffing can hide the ridges.
• Hangnails: Is medically known as agnails. In this condition the cuticle becomes dry and cracks. Hangnails are caused by dryness of cuticles or when cuticles have been cut too close. You can apply cuticle oil and trim the hanging skin.
• Onychauxis: In this condition your nails become abnormally thick. This normally happens with your toenails. This can be caused by an unbalanced diet; infection or it could be hereditary. Filing and buffing the nail can reduce its thickness.
• Ingrown Nail: Is medically known as onychocryptosis. The nail grows into the sides of the skin around the nail. Wearing ill-fitting shoes or using a file in an improper way can cause this. If the nail has grown deep into the skin then a only a doctor can remove it.
• Bitten Nails: Bitten nails or onychophagy can deform your nails it you bite them continuously or if they are bitten too far down. The only treatment is to stop biting them. Regular manicures and artificial nails can improve the way your nails look.
• Pterygium: Is when your cuticles grow over your nails. If they are not prevented they could grow right over your nails. Use cuticle oil to soften the skin, use a cuticle pusher to push back the cuticles to their place. Use cuticle clippers to trim away the loose skin.

Many of these conditions if not taken care of in the initial stage can become very painful and permanent. So remember to take care of nail disorders immediately.

Nail Growth Ideas

The speed of nail growth increases if you enjoy a healthy diet. This is not a joke but a proven fact. Illness however, can slow it down.

Enhancing Nail Growth

• Rub the fingernails of one hand across the nails of the other hand for about 5 minutes each day. This will increase nail growth.
• Strong cleaning products and the sun can break your nails. Use a sun block cream while going out into the sun. While doing household chores use a pair of gloves. Use a good moisturizer on your hands each night before going to bed.
• Corners of your nail should not be filed. Filing them will weaken the nail and they will break easily.
• Food rich in potassium, iron, calcium and vitamin B are especially good for your nails. Almonds, garlic, spinach celery, yogurt, eggs and seafood are good for your nails.
• Drinking insufficient water can cause your nails to break.
• If your nails are brittle then do not use perfumes that contain alcohol, as this will further deteriorate the condition of your nails.
• Use four fingers of the opposite hand and knead each finger from the tip to the bottom of each finger. It will relax your fingers.
• Almonds contain fatty acids that are good for your nail. Eat 6 almonds a day and your nails will visibly improve.
• To prevent yourself from biting your nails, make a paste of the gel from one fresh aloe leaf by double boiling it in a pan. Put into a jar and apply this paste on your nails to prevent biting. Ingesting too much of this paste will cause vomiting.
• To encourage nail growth massage the cuticle and nail with your finger tips.

Some don'ts of good nail growth

• Don't wash dishes without wearing a pair of rubber gloves.
• Do not pick at your nail polish, as you will damage the nail.
• Don't let your nails grow too long as they will break easily.
• Don't use your nails as tools as this will weaken your nail.
• Don't go out in public with chipped polish.
• Remember to moisturize your cuticles every night.

Some Facts about Nail Growth

1. A healthy toenail takes about a year to grow out completely.
2. A healthy fingernail takes about six months to grow out completely.
3. Nails grow faster in the summer.
4. Men's nails generally grow faster than women's.
5. Nails grow faster on the hand you use most.

Steps for Facial Massage

face massage #4 image by Adam Borkowski from Fotolia.com

Steps for Facial Massage

Massage can help to reduce stress and muscle tightness that contributes to tension headaches, reports the Mayo Clinic. Facial massage can soothe tight muscles in the shoulders, head and neck as well as the muscles around the eyes, the forehead and temples. Most full-body massages provided by professional masseurs include the head and face, but you can take a moment and give yourself a facial massage any time.

Preparation

Sit in a comfortable chair and unplug any distractions like phones and computers. Create a complete atmosphere of relaxation by playing some calming music. Before touching your face, make sure your face and hands are clean and dry. To ease the movement of your fingers over your face, apply a soothing massage cream or oil on your hands and over your face and neck.

Finger Movement

Use your ring and middle fingers. Start at the top on your forehead by slowing rubbing your two fingers in circles over your eyebrows from the inside to the outside. Massage both sides at once to build harmony in the feelings. Then move to the sides of your nose and around the outside of your nostrils. Continue the circular motions over your lips and outwards to your cheeks. Repeat each set of movements three times, and end each movement by applying slight pressure on the spots where you feel the tension or where you feel your pulse, and hold it for a few seconds before moving on to the next section.

Hand Involvement

Once you've massaged the finer points on your face, you may need to add more cream or oil to your hands, especially if your dry skin has soaked up all the moisture. With newly moistened hands, begin working on your neck to complete the facial massage. Start at the base of your neck near your collarbone. Use one hand at a time to slowly work your hand up the neck to the end of your chin. Repeat the stroking six times with each hand to provide various levels of pressure on the neck. End the massage by rubbing the excess oil on your shoulders by running one hand from your clavicle to the end of your shoulder. Repeat on each side three or four times. Rest for a few minutes before continuing with any activities to enjoy the relaxed state.