Many studies have now shown most over the counter acne medication to be harmful to pregnant women - even to the point of causing birth defects!  So, use extreme caution when choosing your acne or anti-aging treatment. When in doubt - go for the most natural or herbal method available; treatments like herbal facials and clay-based or herbal based facial masks can do wonders to promote beautiful skin without all the abrasive chemicals.

Acne is caused by inflammation of the oily glands in the skin - they are called sebaceous glands - that contain a fatty material called sebum. When the duct of the gland becomes blocked either by layers of skin, fatty secretions or dirt, a mini-cyst or pimple forms. The cyst can become infected with acne bacteria.

Beautiful Skin With Herbal Facial Masks

Topical prescription products may contain antibiotic ingredients such as erythromycin that help control inflammation but they may also be dangerous to delicate systems.  These chemical products are designed to clean the area, dry up the oiliness in acne-prone skin, peel aging skin and eliminate wrinkles or bacteria present, but there are many other herbal options you can choose that do the same thing.

Oatmeal - will help relieve redness and itching and inflammation associated with acne

Rosemary - is a natural antiseptic and anti-bacterial

Lavender - is a natural antiseptic and anti-bacterial and anti-microbial

Yogurt - will lighten and even out dull, patchy skin tones

Chamomile - will soothe redness and inflammation

Aloe Vera - has long been know to be a skin healer and skin cell re generator - it is most often used in its natural plant form and as a gel - to treat burns and heal dry skin

Green Tea - has been found to contain miraculous properties of cellular regeneration as well.

Vitamin A, E, C - all help contribute to your skin’s healing process by providing it with nourishing nutrients.

When in doubt, choose a natural facial mask to help heal acne scars and prevent further breakouts.

If you are concerned about sensitive skin issues and want a treatment that is effective yet also gentle, you should check out herbal facial masks and herbal ingredients in your skincare.  Many drugstore treatments and products may contain harsh chemicals or parabens that might not be safe for your skin or can actually cause more damage.  Harsh chemicals like salycidic acid and benzoil peroxide can actually increase redness and inflammation and increase your chances of breakouts and acne erruptions. While anti-aging treatments like acid peels and dermabrasion actually BURN and SCRAPE your top skin layer off your face!

If you use a skincare regime, try to find ingredients that will gently cleanse your skin and allow inflammed tissues to regenerate naturally, without shocking them into submission.

Natural ingredients like Chamomile, Marshmallow, Confrey, Calendula and other herbs are the best way to papmer acne-prone skin, relive redness and reduce wrinkles and signs of aging.

For beautful skin treatments:

Acne erruptions are caused by excess oil and clogged pores, so you want to find an herbal acne treatment that will also help pull the dirt and oil out of the clogged pores - clay based masks work well.  if you can, look for an all-natural option or a 100% herbal option to meet both requirements, to heal skin herbally and remove toxins.

To Reduce wrinkles:

Deep wrinkles and redness can also be produced from using treatments that are too harsh or abrasive on the skin. Your skin’s natural lipid barrier is there to protect you from infection and bacteria. Each time you wash it away with harsh scrubs or chemicals, you are changing the PH of your skin and limiting its natural ability to heal and moisturize itself.

So, the next time you are thinking about an acne-treatment, go for the herbal facial mask or herbal options and treat your skin with the kindness it deserves.

Beautiful skin needn’t be a chore.  A simple weekly or by-weekly routine along with your daily cleaning and toning should be just the ticket to gorgeous skin.

If you already cleans, moisturize and tone your skin daily - then you are well on your way to beautiful skin. That is the first step to keeping your skin clean and healthy, removing dirt and debris so skin can breath and cells can regenerate.

Now the final step is a weekly or bi-weekkly facial mask. This will help remove built up toxins, and pull the remaining dirt and dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin, revealing a fresh, new layer of beautiful skin.

The most common types of facial masks are:

• Clay or Herbal  (Dry Ingredients)
• Moisturizing
• Peel off
• Gel

Clay masks or herbal masks: These are typically found in a powder form and you have the opportunity to custom-blend them with water, or facial toner, any ingredient you like. Most clay masks are detoxifying and are safe for all skin types. If you have oily skin, the clay will reduce the amount of oil by absorbing it. If you have dry or wrinkled skin, you can adjust the mask by adding a natural moisturizing agent - like oatmeal or Aloe Vera. These masks are sometimes sold in specialty or “whole food” stores as they tend to be the most natural lines you can buy. Also, since they are dry, they won’t go rancid or spoil the way other natural / organic masks might.

Moisturizing masks: These are typically found in most stores and are a cream-based mask. There are hundreds of varieties to choose from, just look for the ingredients that suit your skin type the best - whether that is dry, oily or wrinkle-prone. Look for healing agents like, Aloe Vera, Calendula, Comfrey, Marshmallow or Lavender as these are all excellent herbs to heal skin and “plump up” skin cells.

Gel Masks are a great alternative if you suffer from really oily skin or have acne problems. The gels won’t be as thick as the standard moisturizing agent and will still help remove toxins from your skin without clogging your pores. Look for facial masks with natural acids or enzymes like papaya, pumpkin and fruits to gently loosen and dissolve dead surface cells.

Finally, we have “peel-off” facial masks - which aren’t as common as they used to be.  Some believe that “peeling” the mask off the face actually tears the skin tissue, making wrinkles more noticeable. Its up to you.  Some like to use them for the “fun” factor. They come in gel-form that usually has a fruit-acid base like cucumber or grape seed. The gel transforms into a thin transparent film that picks up dead cells, dirt & impurities.  Once dry, you then peel off the film after 15 minutes.

Depending on each mask the set times and after-care instruction may vary.  Usually you leave the mask on for 10-20 min.  Then rinse off with warm water. Follow with moisturizer or toner. And that’s all there is to having fresher, more radiant, beautiful skin!

Most will agree, “beautiful skin” is skin that has few imperfections - no acne, or scars, no dark spots or red blotches. Beautiful skin always seems to glow.

Consumers today are bombarded daily with hundreds of ads and promotions, selling one product or another to give you “beautiful skin,”  but I’m here to tell you - if you don’t have a healthy body, you will never have really beautiful healthy, skin.

After years of suffering from acne, breakouts, redness and rashes and trying every skincare line I could find - I deiced to change my diet and see what would happen. I went on a RADICAL new way of eating healthy and guess what?  It worked!

It was really hard at first, I had to stop eating fast food, junk food, sugar, soda, candy, caffeine….  It took me over 6 months to slowly phase out all the chemicals I was injesting and relace that food with healthy alternative, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, iced teas, water and fruit juice  - I tried to go as organic and natural as possible as often as I could

Along with the is change in my diet, I did other healthy things for my skin, like taking walks, going to yoga, epsom salt baths, using herbal facial masks and natural skin care lines with no chemicals.

Here are some great ingredients to look for in your natural skincare:

Oatmeal - natural anti-inflammatory and skin softener

Chamomile - a natural anti-inflammatory, reduces redness and inflammation

Rosemary - Natural antibiotic, anti-microbial, astringent (great for acne)

Aloe Vera - natural skin healer, helps repair damaged cells or acne scars

Lavender:  natural anti-microbial and astringent

Marshmallow ( the herb - not the desert)  - helps reduce redness and inflammation

Green Tea - helps repair cellular damage to skin cells

Vitamins - A, C, E - all help repair skin and nourish

After 6 months of my radical new diet and my heral skincare treatments, I was getting shocked expressions from friends sying how radiant and beautiful I looked, they couldn’t believe the change.

So I advice you to give it go - try to limit the junk in your diet and choose healthy alternative, I KNOW you will see beautiful skin in no time.

Is your skin riddled with acne?  Maybe you can’ afford high-end cosmetics and expensive ways of taking care of your skin…So, what do you do when you are on a budget?

High school has a way of making you feel like you don’t belong or making you work really hard to fit in…I get that.  Even worse is the need to be attractive and more popular. So, here is what you do.   Take care of your skin from the inside out as well as knowing what herbal treatments you can use to take care of yourself.  RULE NUMBER ONE:  Eat healthy.  NO one ever got great skin by eating lots of junk food and sugars.  Eat as many vegetable, fruits, and whole grains as you can.  Low fats, and healthy fats, like avocado and olive oil will also help your skin shine.

If you suffer from acne-prone skin, you should look for herbal anti-acne facial masks and herbal remedies that will reduce inflammation and redness like: Chamomile, comfrey or oatmeal.

If you are worried about age spots you should look into  an anti aging system that includes zinc cream and and an anti aging spot treatment that reduces dark spots and blotchy skin.

If you are light-skinned or Caucasian, then you might already know the sun is your enemy. Being cautious with the sun will help you avoid bad UV rays that can further damage your skin and cause wrinkles.

No matter your knowledge of skin care,  if you want to beautiful skin, then all you ave to do is follow these simple steps and find the product that’s right for you.

The frequency of herbal mask usage depends on the strength of its ingredients. It also depends on the skin type. Just like an herbal facial, an herbal facial steam is highly useful. Herbal steam composition is really easy to make. All you need to do is get hold of some herbs (the ones that are suitable for your skin type) and put them in boiling water. This herb immersed water does a lot good to the skin.

Sweet yarrow facial mask is a highly nourishing skin mask. Yarrow leaves are truly equipped with beauty properties. Yarrow leaves, yogurt and honey together make for a truly rejuvenating facial mask. Similarly, rosemary, jojoba and avocado are very helpful in treating sun damage. Chamomile is another wondrous herb. You can mix chamomile flowers with citrus fruit juice to make a truly soothing facial mask. Likewise lemongrass, French clay, honey and sage leaf may be blend together into a thick mixture. This mask helps to revitalize the facial skin. Lavender, flaxseed, oatmeal and rosemary also enhance inner beauty.

Lavender flowers, dandelion leaf and lemongrass are the three herbs that can considerably help to reduce oiliness. Likewise elder flowers, yarrow flowers, nettle leaf, rosemary, peppermint leaf, horsetail, chamomile and comfrey root are helpful in skin cleansing and toning. To open up blocked pores you may as well try lavender flowers, coltsfoot leaf and peppermint. The same set of herbs may also be used to moisturize facial skin. There is another valuable herb called lady’s mantle. The herb is known to work magically on irritation, itchiness and deep blemishes.

Olive oil treatment will help you rejuvenate your skin with the help of vitamin E and vitamin A. It works well against sun damage and acne problems. It leaves your skin soft and glowing and prevents flakiness of skin in winter. Acne facials are also very effective way of reducing the amount of acne breakouts you experience. These facials reduce surface oil, remove dead skin cells, reduce irritation, hydrate and leave your skin with a soothing effect. If acne facials are done regularly, they satisfy you with the best results.

Herbal facial treatment works well without any chances of side effects. It has all the maximum positive attributes. It contains extracts of natural herbs which are chemical free. It deals with all skin problems effectively and gives immediate results.

Just identify your skin type and skin problem by consulting a dermatologist and grab the benefits of recommended treatment. It’s the best time to turn your skin beautiful and flaunt it.

Most dermatologist and skin experts recommend consistently following a daily skin care routine. This does not have to be complicated or time-consuming.  Your daily routine can be performed in as little as five to ten minutes.

Four Simple Steps

* Cleanse
* Tone / Treat
* Moisturize
* Protect

A typical skin care routine includes the following steps: washing/cleansing, toning / treating (optional depending on skin type), moisturizing and sun protection.

Optimize for your skin type
The steps of the basic routine should be adjusted to fit your skin type. Your skin type may change with the season, diet and age. Skin tends to be oilier in the summer and drier in the winter. Menopause often brings about a change from oily or normal to dry skin. Conversely, a shift from a low-fat diet to that rich in certain fats (particularly essential fatty acids) may turn dry skin to normal. Skin pigmentation affects the degree to which you need sun protection. While sun damages any skin, the damage is far less in dark-skinned people. Conversely, fair skinned people need to be particularly meticulous about sun protection by minimizing sun exposure, choosing an effective sunscreen and applying it frequently and consistently.

Depending on your skin type, you may want to use your routine once in the morning and again before you sleep. Those with dry and/or sensitive skin may do better with once a day washing/cleansing while moisturizing two or more times a day. Exfoliation, to remove excess oils and prevent acne or blackheads, is also recommended in some cases, but exercise caution as daily exfoliation may be excessive and can lead to chronic irritation. Exfoliation once or twice a week is usually sufficient. Younger skin, like that in your 20’s and 30’s will have a fast natural epidermal turnover may need little to no exfoliation.

Cleansing
Cleaning facial skin is even more important than cleaning your body. Your face, unlike your body, is exposed to elements all day long. Dirt, pollution and oil from hands all accumulate on the epidermal layer and can clog pores and cause acne eruptions or inflammation. Like all skin care products, the best cleanser for you will be determined by your skin type. If you suffer from oily or acne-prone skin, you may benefit from an oil-free gel cleanser or one containing salicylic acid. Mature or dry skin will do best with a cream cleanser to help retain moisture. Once your face and neck are cleansed, rinse with lukewarm water and pat your skin lightly with a towel.

Toning / Treating
Toning can consist of using a store-bought toner, astringent or simple Witch Hazel. Toning or treating will balance the ph level of the skin and remove any residual dirt or oil not picked up from your cleanser. For those over the age of thirty, adding a well-selected treatment or two with scientifically proven active ingredients can further improve your results. Treatment can mean anything from skin rejuvenation products, skin discoloration items and oil absorbing agents to applying medicines for acne or eczema. If you suffer from multiple skin conditions, select an initial treatment aimed at the broadest improvement and then fine tune things from there.
Be aware of applying products to un-cleansed skin as the penetration of active ingredients will be greatly reduced. If you cleanse, moisturize and then apply advanced products, the penetration of active ingredients may still be reduced because the moisturizer has blocked some the entryways.

Moisturize
Moisturizers are essential to keep skin cells plump and hydrated. Hydrated skin will show fewer lines, wrinkles and imperfections. Even if you have oily or acne prone skin, you may still need some hydration. Look for gel-based moisturizers or lightweight formulations. Many medications and treatments appropriate for dealing with acne or oily skin automatically are drying. Don’t make the mistake of drastically drying out your skin until it is a challenge to repair. During the fall and winter months your skin may be even more vulnerable thanks to reduced humidity from indoor heating and excessive hot showers or baths.

Apply your moisturizer when your skin is clean, warm and still slightly moist. Since many active treatments have moisturizing ingredients, you may be able to skip a separate moisturizer. If you feel that you need additional moisturizing, wait a few minutes for the active treatments to absorb, and then apply your favorite moisturizer over it.

Protect
Wearing sunscreen or sun protection EVERY DAY is the proven best way to block harmful UV rays and diminish formation of wrinkles, skin discolorations and to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer. A good UVA+UVB sunscreen should be applied on top of your moisturizer or other treatments as a final step of your routine whenever sun exposure is expected.  Sunscreens come in a wide variety of bases, from those meant for oily skin to hydrating versions. Those with sensitivities to chemical sunscreens can choose natural Zinc Oxide formulations. Protective clothing can also now be improved thanks to new laundry treatments with UV protectant for widespread areas of the body mistakenly thought to be protected by your clothing.

Some skin care products or cosmetics contain added UV blockers, but they may not be enough, using a separate, specially formulated sunscreen is proven to be more effective.

And that’s it! Cleanse, Tone / Treat, Moisturize and Protect. Use these four simple steps to achieve beautiful, healthy skin. For a lifetime of skin care that can help leave your skin looking its very best, see your healthy skin as a clean canvass upon which to paint any improvements.

Author: Rachelle Dupree
Vivoderm Natural Skincare

The first rule is to watch what you eat. The food that you eat must be rich in vitamins (vitamin A, C and B5 especially), fiber, proteins and zinc. These macro-nutrients help in proper circulation of oxygen and blood thereby making the skin glow from within. You must also take adequate amount of essential fats. Contrary to the general belief, all fats are not bad. There are some fats which are essentially needed by the body. Another prerequisite for beautiful skin is water. Make it a point to gulp down as many as 10 big glasses of water a day.

The next step is requisite skincare. Environmental pollution can play hard on your skin. The exposed parts especially, call for more attention. Those who are compassionate about their skin usually indulge in regular skincare. It is a very creditable step towards a healthy skin. Such people enjoy a healthy, smooth and beautiful skin even when they get old. One thing that you need to ensure is the quality of skincare products. The products that you opt for your skin must be free from chemicals, fragrances and greasy substances. Herbal and natural beauty products are subtler and as a matter of fact more effective. Your skincare regimen would have to be modified according to the weather. In the driest of all days, you will have to be all the more careful about skin moisturizing. Likewise during summers you may have to battle specific problems like sunburns etc.

Last but not the least, keep out from stress. Music therapy, aromatherapy, yoga, meditation- there are so many ways to run away from stress.