Oily Skin

August 17th, 2010

Oily skin affects over 40 million people. However, there are only a few products on the market that actually address the problem without striping the skin of vital nutrients. Many of the cleansers are harsh cleansers that strip away the good with the bad leaving the skin vulnerable to premature aging.

Oily Skin Remedy

The best way to fight oily skin is with a good oily skin cleanser and oily skin moisturizer that use an ingredient called zinc pca. This amazing nutrient helps to prevent the skin from producing too much oil in the very first place. Also look for purifying herbs that will get deep inside the pore to remove excess bacteria and build up that could also be causing the sebum gland to become over active such as in the case with acne.

Once again those that have acne often have oily skin. This is because the body’s natural defense against bacteria and fungus to emit an oil to protect the skin. if the bacteria is not removed then the sebum gland keeps producing oil and the result is overly oily skin. Check the oily skin cleansers from Md Strength and see why this doctor strength cleanser is so amazing. Yes, it is strong but the ingredients are natural and that makes it perfect for  your skin. No damage and no premature aging or wrinkling due to stripping of the skin.

Coconut Oil- A Great Natural Product

June 24th, 2010

coconutNatural ingredients are always better than chemical ingredients.  Chemical dry the skin and hair.  Coconut oil is a perfect alternative.  It is natural, non-greasy and has a variety of uses in skin and hair care. 

Coconut oil can be used in a variety of products.  It is good for creams, lotions, serums, shampoos and conditioners.  It is a gentle product that the skin can easily absorb.  Coconut oil is not greasy and will not leave the skin feeling filmy as some other ingredients do.  It is also a hardy oil.  Many natural oils are fragile and have a short shelf life.  This is one thing that prompts companies to use synthetics.  Coconut oil is natural and has a long shelf life. 

Coconut oil contains fatty acids.  These acids are rejuvenating to skin cells.  They make skin feel softer and smoother.  Coconut oil has also been shown to slow the signs of wrinkling and aging. 

Coconut oil is perfect for relieving scalp problems such as flaking and itching.  It also moisturize and restores the hair.  Many chemicals just put a coat over the hair, but coconut oil can actually penetrate the hair and provide protection and moisture.  It is particularly good for chemically treated hair.  Coconut oil is a natural product that can replenish damaged hair.

Natural Skin Care Creams

May 10th, 2010

It is important to provide the face with plenty of moisture.  This is true for both men and women.  Exposure to the elements removes moisture.  It must be replenished each day .  There are many skin care creams available, but they are not all the same.  Most creams you can buy contain chemical ingredients that can irritate sensitive facial skin.  There are natural ingredients that work well to provide skin moisture.  These are better than chemical laden products.   

There are four basic steps to beautiful skin:  cleanse, exfoliate, protect and moisturize.  People with all skin types should follow these four steps.  Skin cream can be used to protect and moisturize.  The cream that you use during the day should include a good sunscreen for protection.  The sun is the number one thing that causes skin to be damage and age prematurely.  Your daily cream can also be used to moisturize.  The cream that you use at night is responsible for the majority of the deep moisturizing though.   

Be sure to read labels closely.  Many products claim to be organic or natural but still contain chemical ingredietns.  Also, be ware of  perfumes that can be irritating especially to sensitive skin.  Petroleum products should be avoided because it can clog pores.  You should alos stay away from alcohols which dry the skin. 

You need to look for natural products with proven ingredients to get the best results.  Most reputable companies will offer a money back guarantee.  They will also provide research on the natural ingredients in their products.

Scalp Sores

May 3rd, 2010

Sores on Scalp

Many people suffer from scalp sores but what actually causes the sores on the scalp. The answer is that it is identified as several different clinical terms including seborrheic dermatitis, severe dandruff, scalp fungal infection or even bacterial infection. These are the most common. However, there are rare instances that these scalp infections can be something much worse such as cancer. This is very rare!

Most scalp sores are caused from seborrheic dermatitis. This scalp condition is simply a really bad case of dandruff that is caused by a fungus known as malasezzia furfur. Almost everybody has some degree of the malasezzia fungus but when it becomes clinically known as seborrheic dermatitis then the fungus has become more dominant on the scalp skin. There are many things that can allow it to spike up. One example is an excess in the intake of sugar or refined carbs that turn to sugar in the body. If you have seborrheic dermatitis or scalp sores , even open sores on the scalp then you need to cut down – drastically the amount of sugar and refined carbs that you are bringing into your body. The second thing that you should do is use a zinc pca shampoo for scalp sores. Zinc is the most effective against the malasezzia fungus. This is because it does more that just try to kill the fungus it also limits its food supply. This is vital!

All in all if you have scalp sores then you can play around with Head and Shoulders and T Gel or Selsun Blue but your best bet is the Zinc Shampoo with specifically zinc pca!

Dandruff Shampoo Reviews

April 25th, 2010

Dandruff Shampoo Reviews Site

There are many different dandruff shampoos on the market but very few are do what people are actually looking for. Most people want something that will give longer term results for their itchy scalp, flaking, scalp redness, scalp sores and much more that is associated with scalp dandruff and also seborrheic dermatitis which is a stronger form of dandruff.

There are quite a few different shampoos such as selsun blue, t gel, head and shoulders and then just about salon brand has a shampoo for dandruff including American crew that has hair products for men. And while many companies try to break down the shampoos based on gender or hair type the truth is that dandruff is primarily caused by a fungus. THis scalp fungus affects both men and women and typically feeds off the oil glands in the scalp. That is why most people start to develop dandruff after pubery when the scalp oil glands start working. Shortly after the scalp oil glands start working the fungus begins to feed of the scalp  oil. The catch twenty two is that as a defense mechanism the scalp will produce even more oils when attacked by foreign bacteria and fungus. This allows the scalp fungus called malasezzia furfur to have even more of a food suplply allowing it to produce even more quickly. There are shampoos that will eliminate the food supply that the scalp fungus feeds off of. You can read more about the dandruff shampoo reviews or best dandruff shampoo at a complete dandruff review site.

For many people the complete answer is learning how to eliminate the excess oily scalp that the fungus feeds off of that causes the itching, flaking, redness, irritation and even scalp sores that is often called seborrheic dermatitis.

Scalp Conditions Can Cause Itchy Scalp

February 27th, 2010

scalpItchy scalp can be due to various scalp conditions.  Itchy scalp is experienced by most people at different points in their lives.  Three of the typical conditions that tend to cause itching are dandruff, contact dermatitis, and psoriasis. 

You are probably pretty familiar with the condition of dandruff.  It is all too common.  Typically dandruff is a relatively mild and consists of small white flakes and moderate itching.  Sometimes however, it can be more severe.  Flakes can become stuck together in clumps to form larger white mounds on the scalp.  Even when it is mild, dandruff can be itchy and many people find the flaking to be embarrassing.

Contact dermatitis starts with an irritant in the environment that causes irritation or an allergic reaction.  One of the main things that makes contact dermatitis appear is chemical ingredients in various products used on the hair.  Chemicals can be found in many hair products including shampoos, conditioners, and stylers.  It is too bad that so many of the hair products that are available at your locally drug store contain harmful chemicals.  These chemicals will dry the head and hair and can cause itching.  Contact dermatitis can also be caused by other things in the environment or in and some foods. 

Psoriasis is another skin condition that can also cause itching on the scalp. When present on the scalp, psoriasis tends to also be found on other parts of the body as well.  Elbows and knees as well as creases in skin tend to make good breading grounds for psoriasis.  In some people it also attacks the joints.  When psoriasis appears on the scalp, it is characterized by dry scaly patches that can look powdery or white.  Sometimes the entire scalp can be covered with these bothersome patches.    

Balance is the only way to maintain a healthy scalp.  Balance in the scalp means that it does not have too much or too little oil.  Many of the hair products, even those designed to help with scalp problems, actually contain chemicals that work to irritate the scalp.   By using the right natural ingredients that balance and restore the scalp uncomfortable itching can be halted.  Zinc is an all around great natural scalp ingredient.  It is mostly used to regulate the production of sebum. Emu oil and jojoba oil mimic the sebum naturally produced on the scalp.  Sometimes this helps the scalp produce more sebum naturally on its own.  Thyme and rosemary are used to detoxify and purify the scalp.  The scalp can be balanced and restored with a natural shampoo that has the right ingredients.

How to Add Fiber Healthy Fiber to Your Diet

February 27th, 2010

apple fiberPeople who eat more fiber have been shown to weigh less.  Diets high in fiber also help to lower cholesterol and fight heart disease.  In fact, adding more fiber to your diet is one of the easiest way to loose weight and increase your overall health.  Most of us do not get enough fiber.  Here are some simple ways fiber can be added to your daily food intake.    

  • Breakfast- The first meal of the day is often the most important.  It gets your metabolism going.  There are numerous cereals that are low in fat and carbohydrates but high in fiber.  Look for ones with five grams of dietary fiber or more.  You can also add unprocessed wheat bran to any cereal.  Oatmeal is another good choice for breakfast as well as fruit.     
  •  Eat More Whole Grains- Switching from refined breads to whole grains makes a huge difference.  Pick brown or wild rice and whole-wheat pastas.    
  •  Vegetables- Eat more vegetables.  Fresh or frozen vegetables can be added to soups and pastas.  Snacking on raw vegetables instead of cracker and chips is definitely a positive change. 
  •  Legumes- Beans and peas are both an excellent source of fiber.
  •  Fruits- Fruits and smoothies taste great.  They are naturally sweet and make a good healthy high fiber snack or meal addition.   
  •  Nuts- Nuts are a good high fiber snack.  Keep portions small because nuts are  higher in fat than other snacks.    

Tea Tree Oil- Benefits & Uses

February 27th, 2010

Tea tree oil has many medical and beauty applications.  It is both antibacterial and disinfectant.  It comes from the leaves of the tea tree.  People have been using this versatile oil for centuries.  Recently, it has gotten plenty of attention as studies have shown that it indeed does have healthy benefits for skin and hair.

Tea tree oil is used to remove the three types of infectious organisms:  bacteria, fungus, and virus.  It is also known to work against some infections that are antibiotic resistant.  For these reasons it is commonly used as a natural remedy for skin ailments like acne, sun burn, and oily skin to name a few.    

Tea tree oil is popular for hair care as well.  It is often used in shampoos and conditioners.  It can treat scalp problems that stem from fungus or infection such as scalp acne and dandruff.  Tea tree oil is also used as a natural treatment for lice.  It has been shown to be a good deterrent for these bothersome pests.    

Some studies have even shown that tea tree oil can work as a treatment for respiratory problems including sore throats, congestion, and coughing.  It has been used successfully with more severe respiratory problems as well like asthma and bronchitis.

Tea tree oil can be used for oral problems as well.  It is a good natural cure for bad breath because it removes the bacteria that creates bad breath.  Rinsing with tea tree oil can also help reduce plaque and heal gingivitis and swollen gums.  Tea tree oil is a good treatment for canker sores and laryngitis.  It is safe to ingest small amounts of tea tree oil, but ingesting large amounts can cause sickness.

Turning Grey – Can the Process be Slowed?

February 20th, 2010

images 

When grey hair starts to show up most of realize we are getting older. For many folks grey hair starts to appear in their later thirties. But premature graying can start as the teens and twenties. The majority of us will find that about half of our hair will be gray at fifty. No matter when it starts most of us would choose not turn grey if were possible.

What does cause hair to loose its color? The hair follicles are surrounded by cells that contain melanin, the pigment that creates color in the hair. Depending on how much melanin is present the hair will be various shades of color, either blond, brown, red or black. The cells that contain the melanin die slowly as we get older. As the hair looses melanin it also looses its color and turns grey or sometimes white.

Fortunately hair doesn’t turn grey instantly. This gradual process takes time. When you first start to notice grey hair it can take ten years or so for the entire head to turn. Gray hair starts at the temples and spreads to the crown. It eventually moves around to the back side of the head.

Everyone will eventually get grey hair, but it is sometimes possible to slow down the process a little bit. The proper amount of vitamins and minerals may actually help the cells stay alive longer. This means that melanin will be there and the hair will keep its color longer. Some vitamins supplements that help keep the cells alive are Vitamin B, PABA and Vitamin B12. Folic acid is also a good hair vitamin and helpful in keeping grey away.

Grey hair is also dry and coarse. It can sometimes pretty wiry as well. Vitamins can help as well as natural ingredients like jojoba oil and emu oil. These ingredients can work to deeply moisturize and rejuvenate even the driest hair.

Scalp Problems and Treatments For Crusty Scalp

January 24th, 2010

What Causes Crusty Scalp

Certain conditions may cause the scalp to crust and itch.  This is an uncomfortable condition.  Some of the most common causes are psoriasis, seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis and need special scalp treatments 

Psoriasis is an itchy chronic condition that causes crusty scales to form on the scalp and other areas of the body.  These scales are usually thick and may look powdery white or silvery.  Sufferers will also often find them on other areas such as the elbows or behind the knees.  This can be a serious condition and may even affect a person joints. 

Seborrhea is another scalp problem that causes crusting as well as bumps to appear on the scalp.  People with seborrhea will experience extremely oily scalp  and greasy scalp.  The hair will most likely be greasy as well.  Seborrhea occurs when the sebum gland over produces oil.  This abundance of oil builds up on the scalp and causes yeast to grow.  The scalp then becomes enflamed with rash, redness, and crusting.   

Seborrheic dermatitis causes the scalp to become very flaky and to get crusty patches.  These areas tend to be yellowish and are usually covering inflamed red skin.  This condition is also known as seborrheic eczema.  Infants tend to get suffer from this and it is called cradle cap.  Cradle cap in infant’s usually only lasts a few months.  Unfortunately when adults suffer from seborrheic dermatitis it tends to be chronic and may come and go for years.

The one thing all of these conditions have in common is that they are causes or result in an imbalance of oil on the scalp.  A healthy scalp is a balanced scalp.  Many of the products we use on our hair contain chemicals that dry out the scalp and make these problems worse.  Natural ingredients like zinc, emu oil, and thyme and jojoba oil help create a healthy scalp by regulating the oil production of the sebum gland while cleaning and moisturizing the scalp.