Aloe Vera - A Wonder Herb For Skin

Aloe is grown mainly in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe and America.  Because of its many therapeutic uses, it is now commercially cultivated in the United States, Japan, and countries in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.  However, in many places you can grown your own Aloe Vera plant quite happy in a pot as a household plant.

Despite its very cactus-like characteristics, Aloe belongs to the lily family, which also includes asparagus, onions, leeks and garlic.  The Aloe plant contains over thirty enzymes, including lipase and oxidase.  It could be argued that enzymes are the missing element in the modern diet since 40% of the adult population suffer digestive problems and digestion is enzyme-based.

Aloe Vera also contains significant levels of salicylic acid (the active ingredient in aspirin) which accounts for some of the herb's pain-killing potential. Some people swear by a burst of aloe spray on sunburn when a gel or cream is too painful to apply.

Salicylic acid also plays a role in Aloe's detoxifying and cell-cleansing capacity.  The well-researched capacity of Aloe to stimulate the immune system is arguably its most important attribute. Others have testified that a daily drink with high quality Aloe juice helps clear sensitive skin.  Aloe is well known as a soothing ingredient in skincare lotions and body products.

There are a host of studies from every continent documenting the healthful benefits of Aloe Vera, taken both internally and used externally.  Aloe has truly earned it reputation as a natural, healthful 'wonder' herb.

A Sweet Treat With Honey For The Skin

For the ultimate natural all round healing potion, try Honey. Thanks to Cleopatra’s milk and honey baths, Honey has become a favourite with one and all to be used in beauty regime. Beside Cleopatra, there were other beauties from the past, who swear by honey being an indispensable ingredient in beauty treatments.

Pollution, dirt, and other chemical agents in the air make the skin lose its ability to retain water, making it look dry, wrinkled and aging the person bit earlier. The natural hydrating and antioxidant properties of honey trap and seal the moisture, rejuvenate the skin, cleanse the complexion leaving it soft and supple.

Honey in its purest form is suitable for all skin types’ even sensitive skin. Beauticians suggest using honey abundantly for radiant complexion. Skin care products like baths, shower gels, face creams, skin lotions, moisturizers, body scrubs and even newborns products contain pure honey.

Treat yourself to some simple natural skin care remedies with honey at your home 

- Ľ cup of honey to your bath keeps your skin soft and supple.

- Dry skin = 1 tsp honey, vegetable oil each and Ľ tsp of lemon juice. Pat it on dry areas of your skin, leave for 10 mins and rinse with water. 

- Make a moisturizing mask with 1 tsp of honey, 1 egg yolk, ˝ tsp almond oil and 1 tsp yoghurt. Apply on your face, neck and other parts of your body. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse off with water. You skin will feel moisturized and polished with tightened pores.

- For the silky-smooth skin, mix Ľ cup of honey and 3 tsp of rosewater. Apply to face, neck avoiding sensitive areas around the eye. Massage well and rinse with lukewarm water and enjoy the sensation of an all different skin.

- Open the pores on your face by place a cloth dipped in warm water. Smear honey on your face for 20-30 minutes. Rinse first with warm water and then cold water to close the pores.

- Indulge your skin with the paste of 1 tsp of honey, 1 egg white, 1 tsp glycerin and flour. Smooth it over your face, throat, leaving it on for 10 minutes and then washing it off with warm water. Your skin will feel refreshed and rejuvenated. 

- 4 tbsp of whole milk powder and 2 tbsp of honey make an excellent baby bath.

A Beautiful Complexion Is More Than Skin Deep

When you see someone with beautiful skin, that person radiates good health and vitality. Usually, that kind of radiance requires more than just slathering on any old facial product. 

A healthy lifestyle and great skin-care habits produce glowing, youthful-looking skin. So what you put in your body is equally as important as what you put on it.

Here are some tips for naturally gorgeous skin.

- Maintain a balanced diet. Consuming too much refined food, such as sugar, can drain the body of essential vitamins and minerals. This, in turn, encourages wrinkles and premature aging. Eat foods that are rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids, such as fruits, vegetables and fish. Also, drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

- Exercise. Working out brings more oxygen to your skin cells, leaving you with skin that's nourished and more firm. Exercise also helps reduce stress. Studies show that too much stress can potentially aggravate skin conditions, such as acne and hives.

- Find natural skin care products. The most revolutionary skin-care products today merge nature with science. For example, the new Nature's Gate Organics Advanced Skin Care line takes the best that Mother Nature has to offer and combines those ingredients with formulations that are scientifically proven to benefit the skin. 

Nature's Gate Organics' Oh What a Night, a cream that hydrates skin overnight using walnut seed extract and European beech tree buds, shields against early visible signs of aging. Have a Vine Day, a day cream that contains chardonnay grape seed extract, helps tired-looking skin look visibly lifted and smoother. And Forget Your Lines, a wrinkle diffuser serum that works like natural Botox, helps to de-stress skin.

- Protect your skin from harsh rays. Exposure to the sun can cause premature aging and skin discoloration, increasing your risk of skin cancer. Apply sunscreen daily and wear a brimmed hat whenever possible.

20 Simple Wrinkle Erasers

Aging of the skin is a natural process by which the collagen and elastin, that keep our skin looking firm and youthful, begin to decline, this results in wrinkles. Cell production and cell quality also diminish over time resulting in wrinkles. These factors unfortunately are out of our control, though diet and supplements can slow down the process, but it won’t stop it.

The influences that are within our control are largely environmental such as pollution (eg; smoking) and sun damage. Here are 20 easy ways to reduce wrinkles and slow down the aging process.

1.    Stop smoking (It’s #1 for a reason)

2.    Always wear sunscreen whether it’s cloudy or sunny and don’t sunbake.

3.    Hydrate your skin by drinking about 8 glasses of water a day.

4.    Use skin care products that contain antioxidants and AHA's.

5.    Moisturize the skin on your face twice daily.

6.    Reduce stress. (Try reading, exercising, meditating) 15 minutes a day is a good start.

7.    Reduce alcohol consumption. Over indulging can put enormous strain on your system and will accelerate wrinkles forming.

8.    Eat healthily by incorporating plenty of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.

9.    Sleep at least 8 hours every night.

10.   Eat fish three times a week. Great for the skin and general health.

11.   Check with your doctor about taking supplements, your diet may be lacking some of the important ones.

12.   Use an eye cream for the delicate skin around the eyes nightly.

13.   Facial scrubs remove the build up of dead cells that can increase the appearance of wrinkles, try this weekly.

14.   Use natural skin care products that will nourish your skin and give it lots of vitamins and minerals to help it stay fresh and healthy.

15.   Jojoba oil resembles the skins natural oils. Dab this around the eyes to keep wrinkles at bay.

16.   Take vitamin C supplements and use products that contain vitamin C, it will help boost your collagen.

17.   Start a good skin care routine in your 20’s. Prevention is easier than the cure.

18.   Honey is known worldwide for it’s beneficial abilities. Use a honey mask weekly. Simply apply the honey to your face and neck and leave for 30 minutes then rinse off. This mask will "feed" your skin with nutrients.

19.    Aloe Vera and Avocado oil both have the ability to prevent the skin from drying out; they are both used to improve the skins elasticity.

20.    A soothing way to help achieve a wrinkle-free face is to lie on your back with your knees elevated by placing a pillow or cushion beneath them.

Try this when you are watching TV or reading.

5 Tips To Improve Skin Care

Your skin is the first thing that people notice about you and that is why a proper skin care regimen is so important.  There are many products that claim to help improve skin tone and promote a flawless complexion, but the truth is that there is no such thing as instant results.  An effective skin care regimen is one that is done consistently over a time before results will begin to develop.

Skin Care Tip 1:

Always use some type of exfoliation product, which will help to remove old skin cells and other debris and particles from your skin.  This will expose the healthy cells and rid your body from the old ones.

Skin Care Tip 2:

If possible, avoid constant sun exposure and tanning beds.  In addition to being dangerous where health is concerned, these may also lead to early signs of aging.  Everyone loves a suntan, but there is no reason to sacrifice your skin or your health in order to achieve it.  Therefore, many individuals opt for a self-tanning lotion instead.  Back in the day, these products had a tendency to turn the skin orange, but that is no longer the case.  Improvements have helped to give self-tanning products a more natural, streak-free look.  Before applying the lotion to your entire body, apply it to a small test area just to make sure there is no irritation.

Skin Care Tip 3:

If your lips tend to become chapped in the winter months or wind burnt at other times, using lip balm or lipstick will help to protect the lips from nature’s worst.

Skin Care Tip 4:

Dry or cracked skin can be very unbearable.  Not to mention the discomfort of tight red skin, it can be downright embarrassing.  A container of Pacquin Plus hand & body cream will eliminate soreness, redness and help to add moisture back to dry skin.

Skin Care Tip 5:

Do not use products that irritate your skin in any way, including soaps that have harsh ingredients.  If possible, use a moisturizing soap or that which is designed for sensitive skin.

In addition to these tips, skin care products are available as commercial or prescription based treatments.  A dermatologist is often consulted for matters relating to acne or other skin disorders, especially if they are severe.  Many skin care enthusiasts also believe in using plenty of moisturizing body lotion in order to replenish the skin’s natural moisture, which is often stripped in today’s harsh environment.

The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes.  It should not be considered as, or used in conjunction with, professional medical advice.  Consult your doctor prior to beginning any skin care regimen or if you have been diagnosed with any disorder involving the skin.