Beauty Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Aging with Beauty

Aging with Beauty
Aging is a natural and continuous biological process, and skin inevitably changes with age. In the case of beauty industry, the word aging means dermal aging or simply aging skin. Dermal aging is a type of physical aging, it is caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

1. Proper skin care routine.

2. Promote health lifestyle.

• Consume foods with antioxidant properties such as green tea, grape, blueberry, prune and carrot which are high in vitamins A, C, E and beta carotene which help terminate the free radical chain reaction. Avoid deep fried, high-carbohydrate and high-sugar foods.
• Drink plenty of water (at least 2 little per day) daily to replenish your skin.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle such as regular exercise, stress management, quit smoking, control alcohol consumption, and get sufficient sleep!

3. We should have different skin care needs at different stages of our lives:-
• Ages 20 – 35:-
– 75% of skin damage has already occurred, mostly from over exposure under the sun.
– At this stage, overactive sebum secretion and cell regeneration begins to decline.
– You should develop a complete skin care routine to assist in the skin natural functions. Focus on hydration, gentleexfoliation and sun protection.
• Ages 36 – 49:-
– Skin becomes drier and elasticity begins to decrease.
– Visible fine lines and pigmentation becomes more pronounced.
– You should use richer moisturizer, and products that able to boost cell regeneration and synthesis of collagen and elastin.
• Ages 50+:-
– Your skin now loses its elasticity and becomes thinner, more sensitive and less able to retain moisture.
– Look for extra rich moisturizers and avoid excessive sun exposure. Use anti-wrinkle products to treat fine lines and wrinkles.

Beauty Tips ~ Nail Care Tips

Beauty Tips ~ Nail Care Tips
Believe it or not, knowing proper nail care tips can make a difference in the first impressions you give others. The key to having healthy nails is a combination of a healthy diet, plus proper manicuring techniques. In today’s article about nail care tips, we’re going to cover a bit of both to give you a good idea of the whole picture.

Nail Care Tips: Using A Healthy Diet To Get Better-Looking Nails

Diet: Everything from vitamin and mineral deficiencies to the onset of diseases can cause nails to appear discolored, dry and brittle, caved in, lumpy and so on. The best thing you can do for your nails is to eat a healthy diet composed mainly of fresh fruits and veggies, whole-grain carbs and lean proteins.

Vitamins: Adding a vitamin supplement to your diet will also help to keep nails healthy and strong. A number of good supplements exist solely for hair and nails alone, and they’re worth checking out.

Water: In some instances, dehydration can cause nails to split. Decrease the amount of sodas, coffees, and other drinks you have during the day, and increase the amount of pure water. As a bonus, your skin will have a glowing look from the extra hydration!

Nail Care Tips: Biting, Filing, Painting, And So On

Biting: Do everything you can to drop the habit of biting your nails. Not only can it potentially cause an infection, but also it can make your nails look ugly.

Oftentimes the urge to bite our nails comes when the edge is rough. Try carrying a small, quality file with you wherever you go. Next time the urge to bite hits you, take out the file, and file the nail just enough to make it smooth.

Another nail care tip to keep in mind when nervousness is the cause of biting is to practice employing deep breathing and other relaxing methods.

Filing: When choosing a file to use on your nails, opt for a high-quality one rather than those that come in a pack at the drugstore. Cheap files are generally too rough for the nails and can end up sanding away more nail than you intended, or leave edges rough.

Painting: Every manicurist has their own nail care tips they’ll share with you, but the more general rules when it comes to painting go like this: wear paint for shorter periods of time and give your nails a break occasionally. Too much paint left on for too long will result in the nails turning a yellowish color.

Cuticles: Avoid cutting your own cuticles. Any damage to the cuticle can be permanent. Better instead to use a quality cuticle oil and simply push back the edges with a special cuticle stick.

Nail Polish Remover: Try not to use nail polish removers more than once a week. The chemicals are very harsh.

Nail Care Tips: Miscellaneous Areas

Cleaning With Strong Chemicals: When cleaning with strong chemicals, or strong soaps, be sure to put on gloves. Not only will they prevent these chemicals and soaps from soaking into your body through the skin, but they’ll also protect your nails from damage.

Moisturize: Pick up a high-quality hand-cream with UV protection in it, and use it on your hands and nails after each time you wash. This will help protect nails from sun damage, as well as to keep them from drying out.

Keeping proper nail care tips in mind while going about your daily life will help to make sure your nails always look healthy and strong.

Dealing with Acne

Dealing with Acne
Acne is the most common skin problem happens to almost everyone, and usually begins with skin congestion or commonly known as comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). When comedones become infected, it can break out and cause acne, open pores and eventually scars. Start preventing acne by solving skin congestion.

1. Proper skin care routine. Choose products that are non-comedogenic and free from:-

• Lanolin: A fatty substance obtains from sheep’s wool. It has moisturizing properties, but pore clogging capabilities as well.
• Fragrance: Artificial fragrance contributes to acne infections
• Mineral Oil: This oil has been shown to cause pore clogging and exacerbate acne

and follow the below steps for proper skin care:-

2. Do not squeeze the acnes which may further irritate the skin and possibly damage the skin tissue.

3. Limit the use of bloater. Overuse of bloater giving the sebaceous glands wrong information of skin dryness and causing excessive sebum secretion.

4. Promote a healthy lifestyle
• Lessen the pressure of life
• Regular exercise helps flush out toxins in our body.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.
• Get sufficient and quality sleep for 8 hours

5. Be patient, clear skin may take time. No product or treatment works overnight. You will see faster results if you have a level 4 acne problem, the more serious your problem, the faster you should see results.

6. Use your acne product or treatment consistently and appropriately.

7. Continue to use your treatment products even after the acne has been cleared, as acne treatment products do not cure acne, they control it. (an exception to this rule is Accutane – an oral consumption medication to control hormone imbalance).

Dehydration is Not Dry

Dehydration is Not Dry
Most people confuse or misdiagnose their skin between dry and dehydration. Dry skin can be generic and is normally caused by not having enough sebum in the skin, while skin dehydration is from not having enough water.

Surface dehydration causes the skin to overcompensate by producing even more sebum or oil. The result? Not only is your skin still dehydrated, now it’s congested, which may result in acne and even acne scars.

1. Proper skin care routine.

2. Promote healthy lifestyle
• Consume foods with healthy fats (essential fatty acids like almond, sunflower seeds etc).
• Reduce the consumption of salt as it removes water from body and skin.
• Quit smoking; avoid drinking caffeine drinks and alcohol as they dry your skin.

3. Quit smoking; avoid drinking caffeine drinks and alcohol as they dry your skin.
• Avoid expose to dry air, wind, prolonged water exposure from swimming or showers, air conditioning, overheated rooms, and very hot or very cold climates.

Discoloration a.k.a Pigmentation

Discoloration a.k.a Pigmentation
Human skin has red, yellow, brown and blue tone; the skin tones result from combination of complex bio-molecules such as melanin (brown pigment), beta-carotene (yellow to orange pigment), hemoglobin (red pigment) and the condition of the skin.

The most prominent of which is melanin, produced by melanocytes under the stratum basale. Some areas of the skin simply have less melanin than other areas. As the cells containing more melanin come in contact with prolonged period of sunlight, they become darker. Other areas with less melanin or that have less exposure to the sun, remain lighter. This gives the skin an appearance of an uneven skin tone, or even pigmentation.

1. Proper skin care routine

• To prevent skin discoloration, the obvious solution lies in protecting your skin from the sun and regular exfoliation in removing all dead skin cells.

Steps Remarks
1. Deep Cleansing Always remember to use a makeup remover to thoroughly remove all makeup.Use a face wash designed for oily skin and pat dry the skin gently without vigorous rubbing. Avoid over drying cleanser with SLS (sodium laurel sulfate).
2. Serum, Moisturizer & Masque Always looks for products that help whiten or lighten skin; inhibit tyrosinase and melanogenesis; and eliminate undesirable uneven blotches of dead skin cells. Active ingredients that you might take into consideration are Licorice extract, Bearberry, Idebenone, Vitamin C, Alpha arbutin, Kojic acid, multivitamins, AHAs, BHA, retinoids, and etc. *Extra cautious on ingredients and treatment such as Hydroquinone or skin bleaching which may cause skin irritation.
3. Exfoliation Gentle exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and eliminate undesirable uneven blotches already present. AHAs, BHA, Retinoid all work to reveal the clear skin hidden underneath.
4. Sun Protection Choose a broad spectrum sun protection with physical blockers, such as titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide. Look for SPF level of 30 and PA+++ for optimum protection (full spectrum or board spectrum).
5. Make-up Keep makeup as light as possible and use makeup only when absolutely necessary. Always use an oil free foundation or makeup products. Though many products have a light SPF added, do not assume it will be enough to go out without daily sun protection as well.

2. Protect your skin from the sun!

• SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, which is a measure of UVB protection. It relates to how long it takes for skin to get burnt by the sun UVB radiation. SPF15 means it will take 150 minutes to produce sunburn on a person who gets sun burn in 10 minutes.
• PA (Protection Grade of UVA) is usually used in Asia. There are 3 PA grades, PA+, PA++ and PA+++, with each additional plus (+) indicating a higher protection.
• The best sun protection is achieved by application 15 to 30 minutes before exposure, followed by one reapplication 15 to 30 minutes after the sun exposure begins. Further reapplication is only necessary after activities such as swimming, sweating, and rubbing.
• The rays of the sun are strongest between 10am to 4pm – If a person’s shadow is shorter than their actual height while standing, the risk of sunburn is much higher.
• Wear a hat with a brim and anti UV sunglasses can provide almost 99% protection against ultraviolet radiation.

3. Promote healthy lifestyle
• Consume foods with antioxidants properties (green tea, grape, blueberry, carrot etc) which can help in fighting of free radicals thus protecting the skin from UVA radiation.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle such as regular exercise, stress management, quit smoking, control alcohol intakes, and get sufficient sleep!

Keeping Pores Closed

Keeping Pores Closed
We have pores all over our body, tiny holes that contain hair follicles and act as outlets for sebum. Pores size vary, when the sebaceous glands are active, the pores appear larger. Pores also appear larger as one gets older and when the skin starts to sag. When pores become enlarge, it may be easily clogged which usually leads to skin discoloration.

Although enlarged pores may be bothersome in life, they can actually present some benefits as the skin begins to age. People with large pores tend to have oily skin, which can help counteract the drying and wrinkling of skin that occurs with age.

1. Biological term for open pores is enlarged pilosebaceous pores.

2. Empty funnel-shaped pores are physiologically present in all individuals.
Funnel: a cone-shaped utensil with a tube at the apex

3. Enlarged pores are characterized by:
• Visible topographic features at the skin surface corresponding to enlarge openings of pilosebaceous follicles
• Appear as empty funnel-shaped or cylindrical-shaped structures.

4. If you have oily skin, you probably suffer from enlarged pores too. If you do not take care of your enlarged pores, it will soon develop into clogged pores that lead to blackheads, whiteheads and acne. (read more on skin congestion and acne)

5. Even dry skin complexions can suffer from large pores within the dreaded T-zone.

6. “Many people with enlarge pores are born that way” – which leads some to believe that you can’t do anything about them. This is misled thinking. With just a few simple steps, you can reduce the size of your pores or cover them up.

7. One very unpleasant fact of life is that our pores appear larger as we age, especially around the nose. Thus enlarged pore is a sign of aging.

Keeping Pores Unclogged

Keeping Pores Unclogged
Here’s what we have to say about congestion. Having a congested skin can often be referred to clogged pores, and the cause of most acne problem. Clogged pores are clinically called comedones, or blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (close comedones).

Unfortunately, comedones are something most of experience thanks to the skin’s constant sebum production and cell turnover. But there are a few things you can do:-

1. Proper skin care routine. Choose products that are non-comedogenic and free from:-

• Lanolin: A fatty substance obtains from sheep’s wool. It has moisturizing properties, but pore clogging capabilities as well.
• Fragrance: Artificial fragrance contributes to acne infections.
• Mineral Oil: This oil has been shown to cause pore clogging and exacerbate acne

Steps Remarks
1. Double Cleanser Always remember to use a makeup remover to remove all makeup. Use face wash designed for oily or combination skin, pat dry the skin gently without vigorous rubbing. Avoid over drying cleanser with SLS (sodium laurel sulfate).
2. Serum Use sebum control serum to get rid of excessive sebum. Always look for product that is able to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, anti bacterial or anti inflammation. Common use ingredients include resorcinol, vitamin A and its derivatives, BHA, witch hazel, potassium azelaoyl diglycinate, male fern root extract and etc.
3. Moisturizer Hydrate the skin well, it is best to use a gel based moisturizer rather a creamy / rich moisturizer.
4. Exfoliation Use a grainy exfoliant or deep pore cleansing scrub masque to remove the dead skin cells.
5. Sun Protection Choose a light weight sun protection with at least SPF 15 and PA++.
6. Make-up Keep makeup as light as possible. Oil free foundation or makeup products will be a good option.

2. Do not squeeze the comedones which may further irritate the skin and possibly damage the skin tissue.

3. Limit the use of bloater. Overuse of bloater giving the sebaceous glands wrong information of skin dryness and causing excessive sebum secretion.

Most Popular Ways to Apply Essential Oils

Most Popular Ways to Apply Essential Oils
History of Essential Oils & Aromatheraphy
Throughout history, all around the world, plant extracts, herbs and oils have been used for their medicinal powers. As long as 40,000 years ago it is thought that Native Australians used natural remedies.

The ancient Egyptians used aromatic oils for medicine and cosmetics, their dead Pharaohs being embalmed in exotic oils. The Romans and Ancient Greeks loved to use aromatic oils, particularly in their bath houses, where they were used on the advice of the famous “Father of Modern Medicine” Hippocrates (460BC), who advocated that “the way to good health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day”.

The “Perfumes of Arabia” were first discovered by western man and brought back to Europe by the Crusaders, where they became popular and fashionable with the aristocracy.

During the Middle Ages the antiseptic properties of Essential oils made them a useful aid to the doctors of that time. It is said that some doctors carried these antiseptic and aromatic oils in the handles of their walking sticks, which they held to their noses whilst visiting patients. The re-discovery of the properties of essential oils prompted the beginning of scientific research during this era.

What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated volatile aromatic substances extracted from a single plant part. for example, the petals of the rose and jasmine, the leaves of the rosemary bush, the wood of the sandalwood, the rind of the lemon and orange. These oils are often referred to as the hormones or life force of the plant.

Essential oils are used in aromatherapy, a term which was coined early last century at term which simply means ‘therapy using aromas’, by a famous French chemist, Dr. R.H. Gattafosse who was involved in considerable scientific research in to the properties of essential oils.

How Essential Oils Work
Essential oils enter the body and have their effect by two routes, the nose and the skin.

How do you feel when you smell the sweet scent of a garden? Do you open up your lungs and take a deep breath? When you enter a hospital or sick room, does your breathing become shallower? Does the whiff of a long-forgotten scent bring back sensations and feelings from the past? The sense of smell has profound effect, influencing us even when we are not necessarily aware.

When inhaling the oils, tiny particles are taken to the roof of the nose where the olfactory system is located. Here the cilia (thin hairs) transmit information to the olfactory bulb that is situated behind the eyes. Smell signals are then decoded and sent on throughout the body.

It is now a scientifically-acknowledged fact that toxic material can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. However, it is also a fact that essential oils have this same ability. Particularly when blended with a carrier oil. The essential oils have a tiny molecular structure, which is minute enough to permeate the skin via the hair follicles and pores. From there the molecules are carried through the bloodstream via tiny carrying capillaries.

In this commercialized and polluted world, essential oils offer a cost-effective way to use remedies which have been in existence since ancient times through the tools supplied to you from Mother Nature herself. Most importantly, they allow you to be in control of the substances you put into, and onto, your own body.

Popular Methods of Use
1. Massage
Massage is an effective way of receiving the therapeutic benefits of Essential oils, as the oils are absorbed into a large area of the skin, while at the same time the muscles are being relaxed which helps move the oil through the body.Add to that, the comforting effect of touch, and you can see the importance of this means of application.
Massage is a pleasurable experience to share with a friend. However this not always convenient or possible, so it is important not to overlook the benefits of self massage.

Dilutions: 50mls (10 teaspoons) Carrier oil to 25 drops of Essential oil blend or 10mls (2 teaspoons) Carrier oil to 5 drops of Essential oil blend. Children dosage: 15mls Carrier oil to 2 drops Essential oil.

2. Inhalation
Inhalations using essential oils are particularly effective for relief of mild upper respiratory problems.

Steam Inhalation: This is most beneficial for relieving symptoms of chest and throat infections.

Method and Dilution:
Fill a large stainless steel, glass or ceramic bowl with hot water. Add 2-3 drops of essential oils. (Children 1 drop only).
Lean over bowl, covering head with a towel and breathe deeply for 3-5 minutes.

Caution: Always keep eyes closed. Asthmatics should approach this method with caution, as concentrated steam can cause choking. Never use during an attack. Only use as a preventative measure.

3. Tissue
For another effect, use 2-4 drops of essential oil on a tissue or hankie (1 drop for children) and inhale several times when required. Carry with you to help you get through the day.

4. Pillow
To benefit you whilst you sleep, 1 drop on either side of your pillow. Keep well away from your eyes.

5. Aromatic Bath
A relaxing treat with a double benefit. The oils are absorbed through your skin whilst also being inhaled. The aromatic bath can be effective to stimulate and energise, relax and sedate and enhance sensuality.

Method: Close all doors and windows. Lie back, place towel dipped in bath water and squeezed out, under your neck, breathe deeply and ENJOY for 10 to 20 minutes.

Dilution: 6-8 drops of blend of essential oils to suit your self. (2 drops for children). Add to bath water (not too hot) immediately prior to immersing. Agitate vigorously to disperse oil. To nourish dry skin, add essential oil blend to 5ml (1 teaspoon) of carrier oil.

6. Footbath
The benefits of a foot bath are enormous especially when a full bath is not available. (When living in a flat or unit, and when travelling) as oils are absorbed very effectively through the feet.

Method and Dilution: Fill a large non-plastic bowl with warm water. Add a layer of marbles, and 4-6 drops of essential oil blend. (2 drops for children). Agitate water. As you soak your feet and relax, roll your feet across the marbles as an extra benefit.

7. Vaporisation
When essential oils are gently heated using a ceramic oil warmer, these highly volatile oils turn from liquid to vapour (it is esential oil vapour you smell when you come close to a fragrant flower). These vapours help to keep the atmosphere germ free, and simply by breathing, you can receive the therapeutic effects of the oils, whilst you go about your daily routine. Often you will not even be aware of the aroma at all, but they will still be quietly doing their job.

Dilution: Fill the saucer with warm water and add 6-8 drops of your blend. Light the candle beneath. Note that the water may evaporate after a few hours and needs to be refilled. Place away from drafts and well out of reach of children.

Caution: Do not leave on unattended or whilst sleeping.

8. Compresses
A cold or warm compress using essential oils, is a wonderful way to soothe aches, cramps, swelling and sprains. A warm compress can also become part of your daily skin care regime.

Dilution: Fill a non-plastic bowl or hand basin with water and add 6-8 drops of essential oil blend. (2drops for children). Agitate water vigorously. Fold a clean towel or piece of cheese cloth, immerse cloth in water, gently squeeze out excess water and place on required area.

Protecting Sensitive Skin

Protecting Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is more of a condition than an actual skin type. We are all prone to skin sensitivity at some point in our life. The skin is protected against outside invaders by the skin immune system and the physical protection barrier. However, when the immune system reacts with a heightened response to certain stimuli or antigen, it causes skin inflammation or irritation.

1. Proper skin care routine
• Always inspect the full ingredients list for any skin care products that you plan to have. Choose products that do not contain potential allergens and irritants such as artificial fragrances and coloring, PABA sun protections, lanolin, propylene glycol and ethanol.
• It is also recommended to test a new skin care product on a small area of skin and see if there are any reactions before you use it over larger areas of your skin.

Steps Remarks
1. Deep Cleansing • Rinse well after using cleansers, choose a cleanser which is mild and soap free so they do not remove healthy sebum from the skin.
• Don’t over wash your face. Temperature of the water should be tepid; neither hot nor cold.
2. Serum, Moisturizer & Masque • Look for products that helps strengthen skin barrier, anti irritants, increase skin immunity, calm skin irritations, and excellent repairing skin capability.
• Natural ingredients that have proven effectiveness in treating sensitive skin includes ceramides, multiple vitamins, apricot kernel oil, algae (seaweed) extract, promegranate extract, and etc.
3. Exfoliation Be mindful of exfoliants. Shorten the duration for the first few applications.
4. Sun Protection Choose a light weight sun protection with at least SPF 30 and PA++. Avoid PABA contain sun protection!
5. Make-up Keep makeup as light as possible or use makeup only when absolutely necessary. It is crucial to find a non-irritating and gentle product to use.
6. Facial Treatment Your facial treatment should be less massage, less extraction, and avoid hot treatments!

2. Promote healthy lifestyle
• Ensure diet rich in nuts, grains, vegetables, vitamin A, B, D and E (such as meat, chicken liver, cod liver oil and cheese), and low in saturated fatty foods.
• Maintain healthy lifestyle such as drink plenty of water, regular exercise, stress management, quit smoking, control alcohol, spice and caffeine intakes, and get sufficient sleep!

The Scars that Acne Leave Behind

The Scars that Acne Leave Behind
A scar is the area of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin tissue after injury. It is resulted from the natural healing process of wound repair in the skin. When the fibrous tissue is not identical to the original tissue it replaced, and hence appeared as scar.

Acne scar is the product of inflamed acne and the visible remnants of acne are permanently left. Usually severe, inflamed, cystic acne leaves scars after healing, but in some people even superficially inflamed acne can cause scarring. There are many types of scars, each determined by the depth of wound and tissue response towards the inflammation of skin.

1. As scar is the byproduct of an inflamed lesion or acne, you should prevent and treat your acne correctly and properly. Read more on acne.

• Don’t pick at or squeeze inflamed skin. Doing so will only extend the healing time, spread infection to other areas, worsen inflammation, and may even cause permanent scars. Allow the inflamed area to heal on its own.

2. Proper skin care routine.

• Skin that is damaged by acne scars requires very gentle products.

Steps Remarks
1. Double Cleanse Choose a cleanser that is not abrasive. If you wash your face too roughly or use abrasive products, your skin will become even more irritated.
2. Serum, Moisturizer & Masque • Look for products that help in cell regenerating, repairing, remodeling that improve circulation and increase collagen and elastin synthesis.
• Natural ingredients that have proven effectiveness in treating scars problems include AHAs, Aloe vera extract, Soybean oil, Rosehip oil, Gotu kola extract and etc.
3. Exfoliation • Using exfoliation on a regular basis helps reduce acne scarring. Choose an exfoliant with a low percentage of salicylic acid (BHA) to improve skin condition.
• Using it for 1 to 3 times per week over an extended period of time will show results.
4. Sun Protection Use an oil free sun protection with SPF 15 or greater helps reduce acne scars. As acne scars will continue to deepen in color from sunlight.
5. Make-up • Keep makeup as light as possible or use makeup only when absolutely necessary. It is crucial to find a non-irritating and gentle product to use.
• Avoid waterproof cosmetics – which require a solvent to remove them. Solvents are harsh petro-chemicals which causes dryness.

What are Fragrant Oils

What are Fragrant Oils?
Fragrant Oils are not to be confused with Essential Oils used in Aromatherapy. They are quite distinct from each other and are for a different purpose. Fragrant Oils have been created solely to scent the body and the environment. They have no therapeutic powers.

Fragrant Oils are a re-creation (by a perfumerer) of the delicate aromas of flowers, fruits or a blend of many such elements to create new and exciting fragrances. They have an important role to play in everyday life, by enhancing our surroundings at an economical price, without harming our precious environment.

Scent potpourri, linen, stationery, wardrobes, silk flower arrangements, soaps, light globes. or create your own unique perfume – let your imagination be your guide….

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