by Angela Tague  During the dry winter months, body lotion can be a lifesaver. It moisturizes dry legs, heals chapped hands, and soothes dry feet. But are you applying the lotion correctly? Although you can rub on lotion whenever you want, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology recommends prepping the skin before using lotion.
Getting Ready & Exfoliating Dry/Dead Skin
Before grabbing your favorite body lotion, spend some time in the shower or bath tub. Use warm water--not hot--to maintain your skin's natural oils. Then cleanse yourself with a soft natural sponge or washcloth. Use a pumice stone to remove calluses and dry skin from the soles of your feet. Also, a salt scrub will work wonders in removing dead skin cells which block moisture absorption. A warm soak of 15 minutes or less will dilate your pores and make them ready to accept a moisturizing body lotion. Lightly towel dry your skin, leaving a few water droplets behind.
Applying the Lotion
Apply the lotion within three minutes of exiting the bath or shower to get the most absorption from your lotion. Use a water-based lotion on areas prone to acne or blemishes. Try an oil-based lotion on dry skin. I like using SEACRET's Pomegranate, Ocean Mist, or Milk & Honey Body Butter. In addition to being ideal for hydration and moisture, it restores that healthy glow to your skin. Also, a little goes a long way.
More Application Tips
Rub the lotion into your skin using a circular motion so you go over the same area a few times. This works the lotion deep into your pores. Make sure to moisturize all areas that will be exposed to the sun, which can draw moisture from the skin. Don't forget to use body lotion on your neck, ears, and arms. If your skin is extremely dry, consider installing a humidifier in your home and increasing your daily intake of water.
by Michele Bender for iVillage  1. Have Patience With New ProductsYou come home from the store excited about a new product's ability to smooth your wrinkles, lighten your brown spots and clear up your acne. But a few days in, the lack of results leaves you frustrated. So you toss it and try another. "Switching products and changing up your skin care routine too quickly can create issues like redness, irritation and breakouts, and make it difficult to find the root cause of your skin problems," explains Mitchell Chasin, M.D., a dermatologist and medical director of Reflections Centers for Skin & Body in New Jersey. You've got to give a new product a chance. "A good moisturizer will yield results immediately, but other products, such as those containing lightening agents or an acne-fighting topical product might take a month or more for appreciable results to be seen." Wait four to six weeks to gauge results -- it takes that long for skin cells to turn over.
 2. Remove Dead Skin CellsThe skin's ability to slough off dead cells slows down considerably once you hit the big 3-0. After that, you need to help it along. "Regular exfoliation eliminates the layer of dead skin cells that accumulate over time, revealing fresher, more supple-looking skin," says Dr. Chasin. "Exfoliating also allows topical products such as retinoids and moisturizers to be better absorbed by the skin." Choose between chemical exfoliants, like salicylic or glycolic acid, or a mechanical one, like a granular scrub. Apply it to clean, damp skin using gentle circular motions with your fingertips. Boost skin's hydration level by exfoliating two to three times a week in the shower before applying moisturizer. "This way [moisturizer] can be absorbed more efficiently because dead cells, which can block penetration, are sloughed off," says Fusco. Exfoliating also helps the skin better absorb other products -- like wrinkle creams and acne fighters -- and it gives skin a more youthful glow.
| 3. Establish A Skincare Routine
Your skincare regimen shouldn't take longer than an episode of "Modern Family." In fact, you should be able complete it in the time it takes for one -- maybe two -- commercial breaks. "We recommend that every patient use a high-quality cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen," says Chasin. Depending on the type and condition of your skin, you can add treatment products like retinoids (for wrinkles and acne), antioxidants (to prevent sun damage and aging) or an acne fighter (like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid). "The goal is to keep things as simple as possible so you have an easy regimen that addresses your skin care issues," says Chasin. "Sometimes you can wind up over treating and doing more harm than good." Chasin suggests finding one skincare line you love and stick with it. "While it's okay to mix and match products from different lines, products from a single line have been formulated to work together," he says.
| Discover Your Regimen |  4. Eat Plenty Of Healthy Fats
You've probably heard about the heart-healthy impact of omega-3 fatty acids, but their benefits also go skin deep. "Many skin issues, including psoriasis, eczema and some acne, are made worse -- redder, angrier and more puffy -- by inflammation in the body," explains Susan Blum, M.D., assistant clinical professor of preventative medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and founder of The Blum Center for Health in Rye Brook, New York. "Omega-3's reduce that inflammation." The body also needs these fats to help produce its own natural oils and retain moisture for soft, hydrated skin. You can find these good-for-you fats in salmon, sardines, walnuts, flaxseeds and soybeans.
 5. Rub Your Skin RadiantA facial massage can "smooth away laugh lines, crow's feet and wrinkles on the forehead, as well as provide the skin with a deep glow and nourishment," says Pratima Raichur, N.D. ayurvedic physician and spa owner. Author of "Absolute Beauty: Radiant Skin and Inner Harmony Through the Ancient Secrets of Ayurveda," she suggests using sesame, almond or olive oil for dry skin, sunflower oil for combination or sensitive skin, or safflower for oily skin. Move your middle finger clockwise for 20 to 30 seconds to massage these spots on your face:
-- The center of the chin and corners of mouth
-- The bone between the nose and upper lip
-- The outside corners of the nose where the nostrils flare
-- The center of the cheekbones
-- The temples and the forehead between the brows (called the third eye)
Instead of a using the massage technique on the delicate parts of your face, you can light press them with your finger tips for the same result. With your thumbs, press upward on the inside corners of eyebrows at the bridge of the nose, and then move to the lower lids above the cheekbones. Finish by gently pinching your eyebrows with your thumb and forefinger, moving from the inside out.
6. Apply Products Like A Professional
Ever wonder why spa facials feel so good? It's not just the products they use, but the application techniques. To avoid stretching or damaging your skin, Raichur says do not scrub your face or apply any products in an up and down motion. "Cleanser should be massaged in gently, using upward and outward circular motions," explains Raichur. Eye care products should also be applied to the skin in a circular direction from the outside corner of the eye to the inside, using the ring finger to ensure the gentlest touch. When it comes to moisturizing, lightly swipe lotion on your face -- massaging it too deeply can clog pores.
| 7. Change With The Seasons
Your clothes, mood and activities change with the seasons -- so should your skincare. In the winter, cold temps and high indoor heat dry your skin. "Really dry skin diminishes the natural barrier between the skin and the environment because the skin cells separate from each other and dry out," says Kenneth Beer M.D., a board certified dermatologist in West Palm Beach, Fla. "So winter skin needs a cream moisturizer to repair it." This isn't the case in summer. In fact, a rich cream would not only feel heavy in warm weather months, but when combined with sweat could clog pores and cause breakouts. You're better off with a lighter lotion in the summer -- even one that's oil free since skin isn't as dry. These seasonal rules should be applied to the whole body, too.
| |  8. Go Soap-FreeSoap and cleanser ingredients, like sodium lauryl sulfate, strip skin of the skin-softening oils it produces called sebum. "This can leave skin dry, red and irritated," says Fusco. Instead, wash your face (and body) with a soap-free and sodium lauryl sulfate-free cleanser made for your skin type. These products still clean your skin but without dehydrating it.
 9. Stay Vigilant Against AcneIt's a myth that acne-prone skin is dirty skin. Breakouts are caused by bacteria, oil and/or clogged pores, and can actually worsen if you over wash. The key to a clear complexion is treating acne-prone skin daily, not just when a pimple pops up. "This helps keep pores clean and control bacteria," says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a Boston-based dermatologist. Use a cleanser both in the morning and at night. (For dry or sensitive skin, use a creamy cleanser; for oily, use a gel formula). During a time you typically break out (before your period; when you're stressed), Dr. Hirsch advises leaving a cleanser on your face for five to 10 minutes and your back or chest for 10-15 minutes.
10. Use Facial Wipes & TonerKeep them in your car, gym bag and by your bed so you can clean your skin even if you're not near a sink. Use a toner to remove dirt and makeup that can combine with sweat to cause breakouts. Keep them by your bed so you can wipe off your makeup on nights you're too tired to go to the bathroom sink. | 11. Treat Your LipsThey're skin, too! Your lips need the same TLC as the rest of your face, like exfoliating, moisturizing and sun protection. "Dry, chapped lips can make you look older," says Katie Rodan, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Stanford University and author of "Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change." And severely dry lips can crack and get infected. Exfoliate lips gently with a lip scrub, toothbrush or washcloth. Re-apply lip balm often throughout the day and wear sunscreen any time you go outdoors. |  12. Get Moving
The benefits of exercise go beyond lean thighs and flatter abs. "Exercise increases circulation so nutrients can get to the skin better," says Dr. Malik. This helps heal skin conditions like acne and aids in giving you a glow. "Exercise also reduces the stress hormone epinephrine which causes constriction of blood flow and that can make you lose your glow," adds Malik. Just wash your face before and after you workout to keep pores clear of sweat and dirt.
 13. Get Your Rest
Quality sleep is the key to more energy, better concentration and a boost in your mood. It also sends under-eye bags packing and keeps dark circles at bay. And sleep just may be the fountain of youth: "Neurotransmitters that keep you young, like growth hormone and serotonin, are released in the brain while you sleep," says Malik.
| 14. Eat Your Way To Healthy Looking Skin
Certain vitamins do a complexion good. Vitamin C can help with collagen production and protect against sun damage, so fill up on kiwis, strawberries, oranges and bell peppers. Beta-carotene, found in sweet potatoes, carrots, and other orange veggies, is a nutrient that's converted to vitamin A in the body, also known as the indispensable anti-aging retinol. To hydrate your skin, choose vitamin E-rich foods like broccoli, nuts, sunflower seeds, olives and spinach. Vitamin E is also believed to help reduce sun damage.
| 15. Hydrate Your Skin"Moisturizing the skin helps plump it up, making it look smoother -- at least temporarily," says Rodan. Dry skin highlights wrinkles: Think of a grape versus a raisin -- the only difference is water. Put moisturizer on daily within three minutes after washing your face. "For optimal hydration, blot skin with a towel and apply moisturizer to damp skin to lock moisture into it," adds Fusco. And always moisturize before applying makeup --way it acts like a primer, creating a smoother surface and filling in any fine lines so makeup doesn't settle into them. |
by Scott Kessman  Who would not want to experience youth and vitality for years?
For sure, if someone can offer a youth elixir to millions of men and women, it would definitely sell, because keeping one's youth has always been the dream of many. People will go to various lengths just to find a product that can help them regain lost youth. Thus, it comes as no surprise that people all over the world have traveled all the way to the Dead Sea, to get the health benefits of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea salt has been famous for its therapeutic effects many centuries ago. This salt contains an abundance of minerals, 12 of which are rare and can only be found in the Dead Sea. The most essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium chloride and bromides can be found in the Dead Sea salts. It has more than 10 times the salt content of ocean water, making it a rich source of minerals that improve one's health in many ways.
What is amazing about the minerals found in the Dead Sea is that they are the same natural minerals found on our skin. In other words, these minerals can mix with other skin nutrients and can be absorbed by the skin quite easily. As the skin absorbs the minerals from the Dead Sea salt, the whole body benefits from these minerals. The Dead Sea salt can improve blood circulation, relieve inflammations, renew cells and improve skin tone, relieve joint inflammation, replenish dead skin cells and even reduce tension. These are just some of the many health benefits of Dead Sea salts that one can experience
In recent years, there are studies on the health benefits of Dead Sea salts conducted on patients inflicted with tendonitis and osteoarthritis, and results show that most of the patients' pain have been relieved. Some patients have also shown improved mobility as well as less dependence on pain medications.
It is no wonder then that people who discover the potency of the Dead Sea salt have used it to replenish their skin glow that has paled through the years. With the advances on researches done on Dead Sea mineral salts, several beauty product companies are now using these mineral salts as the base for several anti-aging creams and serums. Products made from Dead Sea mineral salts are now being used to prevent premature wrinkles, improve skin tone and even to cure diseases such as psoriasis. They have also been found effective in giving the skin a youthful glow.
Traveling all the way to the Dead Sea and floating in its waters is no longer necessary to enjoy the health benefits of the Dead Sea salts. Now, anyone can enjoy these benefits through several soaps and other beauty products which include Dead Sea salts as their main ingredient.
by Wayne  Not everyone has heard of Dead Sea mud, and most people would laugh at the idea of putting mud on their faces. However, numerous studies have shown the positive effects of Dead Sea mud on the skin. How does something like mud clear your skin? The answer is surprisingly simple!
As the Dead Sea evaporates year after year (it’s not connected to any other body of water), the salt and minerals which are already present in extremely high amounts get absorbed into the mud at the bottom of the sea. This mud is then extracted and packaged, with all the impurities removed. The minerals which are present in the mud are all natural minerals which your skin needs every day. By using Dead Sea mud, or a mud mask, you are basically feeding your skin these essential minerals. Minerals such as potassium, magnesium, sodium, bromine and calcium are all needed by your skin to help maintain the right moisture levels and hydration.
Another very powerful effect of using Dead Sea mud is the fact that as it dries, it removes any toxins that may be present in your skin cells from your daily diet. This leaves the skin deeply clean, refreshed and pure on top of infusing it with the minerals. At the same time it firms your skin and tightens it, giving you a more youthful appearance. Because of this dual effect of exfoliating, cleansing and providing essential minerals, Dead Sea mud is able to help with many ailments and keep you skin looking young and healthy for a long time!
Here’s a breakdown of what Dead Sea mud can do for you:
- Improves blood circulation and natural skin generation.
- Fine mud grains cleanse the skin and remove any dirt, impurities and toxins.
- Provides effective relief for skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and wrinkles.
- Moisturizes your skin and helps natural skin hydration
- Gently peels away dead skin cells to reveal more youthful, healthier skin layer
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