During the winter seasons the humidity is very low and because of this your skin may become dehydrated. It is extremly important to keep not only your face hydrated but your body as well in this cold season. Your skin may dramatically change during the winter but it will normalize itself when the seasons change. The skin become dries due to the dehydration, more sensitive, the skin loses its elasticity and the signs of aging become alot more noticable. Alot of women/men don’t know how to keep their skin looking great within the winter seasons and here i will tell you what you will need to do to keep your skin looking beautiful and hydrated.

1. Moisturize your skin

Alot of people believe that hydrating creams, and thermal sprays are only supposed to be used in Summer, but they are wrong. You must always use a nourishing cream not matter what season it is. I suggest to buy moisture serums, hydrating masks and hydrating sprays in these cold seasons. Avoid using facial soaps or lotions containing alcohol as they may make your face even drier. Even if you have oily skin you must always cleanse your skin with a cleansing milk or lotion which are alcohol free during winter. If you find that your skin becomes ultra-sensitive then choose a cleansing products with a neutral pH level.

2. Change your face cream or moisturizer

In these winter months your skin type can actually change! For example if you have oily skin it may become normal; the normal skin can become dry and the dry skin can turn out to be hypersensitive. But these changes will only happen during the winter seasons. During the winter there is less moisture in ther air which can make your skin appear dull and dehydrated. The best type of products to buy in winter are the ones that include Aloe Vera, Chamomile Extract, Honey and Olive Oil. If your skin is oily it is best to use a usual facial cream and add a moisturizing serum or fluid to your typical skin care routine. If your skin is dry look for a product that contains lipids, fatty acids, essential oils, glycerin or wax. If your skin becomes reddish due to the cold your should use specially designed products for a senstive skin.

3. Moisturize the entire body

You must always exfoliate your body at least once a week to remove the dead skin cells and to improve your blood circulation. Use a moisturizer after every shower. Select an oiler hydrating body milk or body lotion to hydrate, soften and nourish the skin.

4. Take care of your hands

Make sure you are also taking care of your hands! Choose a hand cream that contains vitamins and other nourishing ingredients. Use these creams at least twice a day to keep your hands nourished and soft.

5. Protect your skin from the sun

You not only use sunscreen for hot months, but you need to use them in winter months also. The winters UVA and UVB rays are just as harmful and the summer’s. Select a sunscreen that offers SPF 15 or higher and apply it over your moisturizers or over your face cream to prevent brown spots, redness and skin discolourations.

6. Protect your lips

Chapped lips are something that will appear in these winter months. The skin on your lips is very delicate and sensitive and become dehydrated very easily. Use an oiler lip balm is the best way to prevent chapped and sore lips. Vaseline is one of the best things out to keep your lips nourished apply before you go to bed so it sinks into your lips, or just use it throughout the day.

Day creams will protect, nourish and cure your skin throughout each day. Pullution, air-conditioning will harm your skin an may cause your skin to feel dry. There are a range of day creams available in the market which will help your skin greatly.

Benefits of using a day cream

Most day creams contain moisturizing elements that will keep your skin hydrated and nourished. Pollution and exposure to the suns UV Rays ill extract the natural moisturizing process leaving your skin dull and dry. By using a day cream it will not only refresh your skin but most of the creams come with a PH value that will help maintain your skins PH Levels. Day cream is also an excellent base for your makeup!

How to use a day cream

Apply a day cream after your have cleansed your face, apply to the face and neck in gentle circular motions and make sure you choose a cream that suites your skin type! Always apply a day cream before putting on your makeup.

Top 6 Day Creams

6. Loreal Dermo-Expertise Wrinkle Decrease Day Cream

This day cream will moisturize and work to reduce wrinkles and promote Collagen production. It is designed especially to improve elasticity and smooth fine lines, especially in areas around the eyes. This product is not only affordable but can be bought from most chemists and online.

5. Dove Essential Nutrients Protective Moisturizing Lotion

This is a light, fresh lotion that contains essential nutrients which will leave your skin feeling hydrated and nourished. It has UVA and UVB filters which protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays helping prevent premature aging.

4. Garnier Re-density Nourishing Re-densifying Day Cream

Moisturizes and helps combat the signs of ageing, including dryness, thinning of the skin, wrinkles and sagging facial contours. This will give you a 24 hour replenishment leaving your skin intensively nourished, plumped and an improved appearance. This is best suited for a mature skin and its affordable.

3. Olay ProVital Day Cream

This will give you a great moisture boost and has Skin Smoothing Oils, which will give you immediate and long-lasting hydration to make the skin more supple. It also contains special vitamin complex (Vitamin B3, Pro-vitamin B5 and Vitamin E) Which well help improve the skins elasticity and firmness and will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots.

2. Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Cream

This day cream is a rich moisturizer infused with calendula, chamomile and plant oils of roseship and avocado to protect the skin from dryness. This will leave the skin feeling balanced, with a healthy looking glow.

1. Dr Lewinns Private Formula Day Cream Moisturizer

This contains a blend of natural multi-vitamins; A, E, B Complex, Collagen, Elastin, Apricot Oil and Retinyl Palmitate. It is beneficial to use this cream from the age of 25+ as the skin starts to dehydrate from this age. This is also ideal for males to help improve the condition of the skin and to help relieve shavers rash. It is also beneficial for use in harsh summer climates as it contains double sunscreens.

Requested by Nina Suzanne

Facial Masks can really work miracles! But like any other product you should choose a mask that will benefit you in the right way. There are several different types of masks that you can choose from on the market. Choose out of this list to find the right facial mask for your skin!

Moisturizing Masks

These are best for dry complexions because they boost the moisture levels of your skin. This means that they can help banish dry patches, flakiness and even fine lines. These will work quickly like an intensive moisturizer, and are usually left on the skin for 5-10 minutes. You can remove these by using a tissue or small, damp towel. The slight residue left on your skin will continue to work until you cleanse your skin. These are a soothing treat, especially after to much sun, or when your skin feels tight.

Clay and Mud Masks

These are best for oily skins, they will absorb excess grease and impurities. They are an ideal way to open pores, rreduce shine and clear troublesome blemishes. They dry on your skin for 5-15 minutes, then you simply wash them away with warm water, rinsing dead skin cells, dirt and grime away at the same time.

Exfoliating Masks

Masks with a light exfoliating action can keep your skin in a great condition. Sometimes normal skins even suffer from the build up of dead skin cells which will create a dull look and lead to future problems such as blackheads. Masks that cleanse and exfoliate are a great solution. They will smooth on like a clay mask, and are left to dry. When you rinse them away, their tiny abrasive particles slough away the skin’s surface debris.

Peel-off Masks

These masks are ideal for all skin types, the gel is smoothed on, left to dry and peeled off. The light formulation refreshes oily areas, clears clogged pores and nourishes drier skins.

Gel Masks

These are great for sensitive skins, as well as oily compleions, as they have a soothing and cooling effect. All you need to do is apply the gel, lie back and then simply wipe off excess after 5-10 minutes.

Face Mask Tips

Skin can change depending on what season it is. Skin that becomes oily in the hot summer months can become drier in winter and in central heating. So take your skin’s quirks into account when choosing a suitable mask.

Cleanse your face before applyinh your chosen mask. Then rinse your face with warm water, then apply moisturizer.

Most masks should be left on the skin for 3-10 minutes. For best results read all instructions carefully.

If you have combination skin, use two masks. For example one suitable for oily skin and one for dry skin. Just apply each one to thearea that needs it.

If your skin feels tight then you most probably have dry skin! You get dry skin because of too little sebum in the lower layers of the skin, and too little moisture in the upper levels. At a dry skins best, it will feel tight and itchy after washing. At its worst it can be flaky, with little patches of dandruff in your eyebrows, and has a tendency to premature aging with fine lines and wrinkles. A dry skin need a regular routine of soothing care to keep it looking its very best!

Special Care for Dry Skin

The condition of dry skin can be aggravated by over use of soap, detergents and toners. It can also be effected due to exposure of the hot sun, cold winds and central heating. Because of this it is advisable to get a gentle, nourishing approach that concentrates on boosting the skin’s moisture levels. This will plump out fine lines and keep the skin soft and supple.

Skin Care Regime

1. Use a little oil-based eye makeup remover and use cotton wool to sweep it over the eye area. This oily product will also help soothe away dryness in the delicate eye area, but always remember that a little goes a long way! If you use too much then the product can cause puffiness and irritation. If there are any stubborn bits of mascara left the use a cotton bud dipped in the eye makeup remover and gently wipe off.

2. Find a creamy cleanser as it is vital that your skin is really clean. Leave the cleanser on for a few moments, before removing it with a cotton pad. Gently use upward movements to prevent stretching the skin and encouraging lines.

3. If you want to tone the skin look for a mild, alcohol-free, hydrating toner, specially formulated for dry skin. Use a cotton pad and only apply a little and then dab over the face.

4. Splash your face with cool water to remove any excess cleanser and also to refresh your skin. This will also help boost your circulation.

5. Finally apply a nourishing ceam to seal in moisture. Use a thick cream, not a runny lotion, as this contains more oil than water, and helps seal in moisture. If applying makeup afterwards then wait a few minutes to let it soak in. If you are going to bed after cleaning your skin then apply a night cream, this is very important especially if you have dry skin! Visit this page to read about night creams, click here.

For a special treat use a facial cream! Click here to read about facial masks!

Requested by Billie-Jo Rich

When you have oily skin you will have open pores and an oily surface, with a tendency to get pimples, blackheads and a sallow appearance. This is because of the over production of oily substance called sebum which is in the lower regions of the skin. This skin type is the most prone to get acne but it will make your skin stay younger-looking for longer!!

Care for oily skin

It is extremely important not to treat oily skn too rigorously! Always remember that enthusiastic cleansing treatments can actually encourage the oil glands to produce even more sebum, and they will also leave the surface layers of your skin dry and dehydrated.

The best way to treat oily skin is to use a range of products that will gently cleanse away oils from the surface and unblock pores, without drying out and damaging the skin. The visible part of your skin actually requires water, not oil, in order to stay soft, healthy and supple.

1. Even thought your skin is prone to oiliness, the skin around your eyes is delicate, so don’t drag it when removing eye makeup. You will have to soak a cotton wool pad with a non oily remover and hold over your eyes for a few seconds to dissolve the makeup, then gently wipe downwards.

2. Lather up your skin with a gentle foaming facial wash (do not use soap!) Using a foaming wash will remove grime, dirt and oil. Then massage gently over damp skin with your finger tips, then rinse away the soapy suds with lots of warm water.

3. Then soak a cotton wool ball with astringent (toner) and sweep it over your skin to refresh it. This shouldn’t irritate your skin - if it does then you will need to get a gentler one. Continue until the cotton wool comes clean.

4. Even oily skins need a moisturizer, as this will help seal water into the top layers to keep skin soft and supple. Don’t load the skin down with a heavy moisturizer, choose a light, watery fluid.

5. Then you will need to allow thee moisturizer to sink in for a few minutes, then press a clean tissue over your face to absorb the excess, and to prevent a shiny complexion.

Requested By Stephanie Goodis

Applying a night cream before you go to sleep can be extremely beneficial for your skin. The difference between a normal moisturizer and a night cream is that night cream have special added ingredients such as vitamins and anti-aging components. These are also thicker and more intensive than creams you apply during the day because you will not need to apply makeup over the top of them.

Your skins cell renewal is more active in the night, and night creams are designed to make the most of these hours. Using a night cream gives your skin the chance to repair the daily wear and tear caused by pollution, makeup, and ultra violet light.

Who will need a night cream?

Whilst you are still young your skin shouldn’t need a night cream, most women will benefit only using one regularly. Dry and very dry skins will defenitley need a night cream as it will work very well on them. You do not have to choose a very rich formulations as there are lighter alternatives that contain the same special ingredients. You must choose the formulation carefully according to how dry your skin is - it is important that your skin should not feel overloaded.

Nourishing Night Cream

Jasmine and rose oils help to rehydrate the skin, while frankincense helps to reduce wrinkles and restore tone to slack muscles.

Ingredients

50g jar of un-perfumed base cream with a close-fitting lid

3 drops of rose essential oil

2 drops of frankincense essential oil

1 drop of jasmine essential oil

Method

Add all oils to the cream, mix well together. Apply a little of the cream just before you plan to go to bed.

If you want to get a beautiful complexion in an instant then you need to use a facial scrub also known as exfoliation. A facial scrub should be in your weekly skincare regime. This is a simple method that will whisk away dead cells from the surface of your skin, revealing the plumper, younger ones underneath. This will also encourage your skin to speed up cell production, which means that the cells that reach the surface will be younger and better looking. It will result in a brighter, smoother complexion - no matter what your age or skin type.

Action Tactics

For dry or normal skin you will need to exfoliate once or twice a week. Oily or combination skin can be exfoliated every other day - making sure you don’t over exfoliate. Avoid this treatment on a sensitive skin or if you have bad acne. Although you can do it with a gentle exfoliater (not very abrasive) once a week to keep pores clear and prevent break outs.

But How Do I Exfoliate?

Apply a blob of facial scrub cream to damp skin, massage gently, then rinse away with cool water. Choose an exfoliater that contains gentler, rounded beads rather than scratchy ones such as crushed kernels. If you are exfoliating your body then you do the same thing as you would with the face.

Applying a facial scrub

1. With a light touch you gently rub the facial scrub into damp skin, using circular motions. Always avoid the eye area as this is sensitive and can cause damage.

2. Rinse facial scrub off thoroughly and slowly with splashes of warm water and then gently pat your face dry.

Make your own gentle facial scrub

This facial scrub has a blend of almonds, oatmeal, milk and rose petals. The rose petals should be bought from a herbalist or, if you want to use petals from your garden, be sure that they have not been sprayed with harsh chemicals. The rose petals can be powderd in a pestle and mortar or in an electric coffee grinder. When you mix them with almond oil, the scrub will clense the face and leave it silky soft.

Ingredients

(Enough for 10 treatments)

3 Tablespoons ground almonds (without the skin)

3 Tablespoons medium oatmeal

3 Tablepoons powdered milk

2 Tablespoons powdered rose petals

Almond Oil

Mixing Bowl

Spoon

Lidded Glass Jar

Method

Put all ingrediants in a bowl and combine thoroughly. Then you will need to store the mixture in a sealed glass jar. When you are ready to use the facial scrub, take a handful of the mixture and blend it to make a soft paste with a little almond oil. Apply and remove as explained.

Most skin problems are only temporary but we all know how annoying and unsightly they are! As for permanant skin problems we may not be able to get rid of them but atleast we can hide them without painful plastic surgery.

I have written up a few simple steps that will help hide those skin problems:

Pimples

Do not try to pop your pimples as this will make it worse and leave you with an open, bleeding wound which will look even more unsightly. You can take the redness away with some salt, crushed asprin, or by pressing it with a cold spoon,

To cover up your makeup apply an astringent solution which will close the pores and also so that the dirt won’t get into the pores. Then you will need to appy a green concealer as this will neutralize redness (making sure you blend in well) then you will need to apply foundation. To set makeup, use a loose powder if you would like to have a more natural outcome.

Cold Sores

You can now buy cold sore pathes which will heal them and also stop them spreading! Use a concealer to cover them up, followed by applying a foundation around it and try touch up your makeup whenever you need to. Apply a thouch of powder to make the patch less shiny.

Wrinkles

Use a pearly, white eyeliner pencil and mark a smooth line in the center of the wrinkle, then apply a creamy foundation. If your wrinkles are pretty deep use a mature skin foundation as this will restore your elasticity and your foundation won’t settle into the creases.

Facial Scars

You can use special medical makeup products. These have a high coverage and are especially made for facial scars, you may also use these for pimples, wounds and bruises. Green concealers are used to disguise redness and yellowish/orange ones are used for blue undertones.

After camoflaging the problem areas, use a liquid concealer to even out the skin tone, followed by using a high coverage foundation.

Freckles

You will need an illuminating foundation or a high coverage foundation. You must also find the right shade which is also very important, by matching it to the chest and shoulders, which are usually darker than the rest of your face. You must apply to the face and then blend it slightly to your neck.

Looking and feeling great is the most important thing for most women. Commercial products can do much to treat beauty emergencies, but the only effective, long—term solution is optimum health in body and mind.

Beautiful Skin

Women want to look good and by having a great complexion it is a huge beauty asset which will boost your morale. The skin is always on display to the world and is worth taking care of. Skin has a little acid mantle, which keeps out harmful bacteria, and it is not a good idea to use excessively alkaline cleansers, such as soap, to wash the skin, as these destroy the necessary acid balance. The condition of the skin is a good indicator of general health within the body.

Lifestyle

The condition of our skin is affected by our lifestyle and general well-being, including our diet, how much exercise we take, our work, our family and our mental attitude. In some way we are what we eat. The circulatory system carries the nutrients from our food around the body. Without some sort of a healthy diet the body’s cells receive insufficient nutrition.

Regular exercise is also another very important factor in your lifestyle. Without sufficient exercise it means that food nutrients are not transported around the body properly, and toxins in the lymphatic system are not completely eliminated. This can lead to cellulite and other problems in the body and with the skin. A diet which includes plenty of water, fresh fruit and vegetables will help to keep our bodies free from toxins and promote a clear, blooming complexion.

Environment can also affect our bodies. Most homes and offices are centrally heated, and this has a drying effect on the skin and hair. Keeping a bowl of water beside each radiator will help to increase humidity. Women who spend a lot of time outdoors should take care of their skin from excessive exposure to the sun, rain and wind. These are all equally damaging to the skin, and will promote wrinkles and early aging. Protect your skin from harmful ultra violet rays! Make sure you apply sunscreen, wear a hat, sunglasses, protective clothing and especially relax in the shade instead of in the sun.

Feeling happy with what you do is also extremely important. This is also effects your skin, hair and nails. When we are unhappy, e tend to feel negative about ourselves and are more likely to focus on our tiny imperfections. This can leave us feeling even worse and creates a horrible cycle which may lead to depression. With a positive mental attitude, on the other hand, we feel happier and more calm, our stress levels will decrease and we will look and feel healthier.

The Aging Process

Like all other organs, the skin deteriorates with age. Typically this is a characterized by the slowing down of cell regeneration, and the fact that dead skin cells gradually take longer to be discarded. As we grow older, our skin becomes less moist and loses elasticity. We are also more likely to develop more wrinkle lines in our face. As oestrogen production decreases during the menopause years your skin will start to thin out and dehydrate within the epidermis.

Many factors play a part in skin aging such as heredity, menopause, occupation, exposure to the sun and wind, poor diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, prolonged stress, insufficient sleep, even crash diets and excessive washing.

Aging is beyond our control, but we can help to minimize its effects by giving our bodies the best attention possible. Lifestyle factors need to be addressed and then backed up by a daily skin care regime with suitable lotions and creams, which can help to improve elasticity and the appearance of the skin, hair and nails.

Essential oils can be used successfully to combat the effects of aging. Research studies have shown that many essential oils have cell regenerative properties and essential oil products help to promote a much healthier, younger looking skin.

Pollution is one of the most dangerous things for your skin as it ages your skin prematurely. The most dangerous parts of your body which will be affected worst are your face, neck and hands. Your skin will protect itself from pollution but if the pollutants stay

on your skin for a long period it will change your skins structure and could cause serious, damaging problems.

Air pollution seriously affects the way you look and your lungs. When we breathe air it enters your lungs and can cause many serious problems such as asthma and nausea. Air with a lot of pollutants will irritate the lungs, cause nausea, coughing, chest pain, damage blood vessels, and affects the immune system. Not only does air pollution affect the lungs but it will also damage your skin. It will increase the oxidation of sebum, causes pimple formation, rashes, allergies and smoggy air may cause skin dehydration.

Pollution causes premature aging because the air sucks out the oxygen from the skin cells which can make your skin appear dull and saggy. Your complexion will become grayish and rashes may appear. This can also cause skin allergies, diseases, pigmentation, eczema and acne. It will damage your skin due to the increase the free radicals and the effect of UV radiation. It will decrease collagen and elastin production, which will result in rough skin, clogged pores and fine lines.

To take care of your skin and protect your self from pollution you must keep a strict skin care regime. Here are some tips on keeping your skin healthy and good looking.

Cleansing

When cleansing your face avoid washing your face with water from the tap as it contains high levels of chlorine as it will dry out your skin and damage it. Use mineral water to cleanse your face and also exfoliate your face 2 times a week and do a peeling mask for deeper cleansing.

Protection

To help you fight air pollution use a face cream and body lotions containing antioxidants, fatty acids, vitamins and hydrants.

Your Healthy Lifestyle

Eating foods high in antioxidant nutrients as this will block free-radical activity in the body

Many skincare products will contain antioxidant ingredients - its really worth trying them.

Always cleanse your skin at night to wash of dirt and grime.

Drink alot of water to keep your skin hydrated.

Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that will destroy the free radicals.

Always wear sunscreen with a high SPF, and i mean everyday!

Always use a moisturizer as this acts as a barrier cream which will block environmental pollutants.

Steam your face once a week to cleanse the face and open the pores.

Avoid eating fatty or spicy foods.