Herbal facial masks are healthiest for proper skin care

The secret to proper facial cleansing and radiant skin is to get rid of any dead cells and toxins not thrown off naturally by the skin; remove all makeup, dirt, grime and chemical pollutants; clear out clogged pores and eliminate infection-causing bacteria without stripping away the skin’s natural oils and hydration.

Most facial care products-cleansers, masks and scrubs, dry the skin and alter its PH balance, causing skin to become more alkaline. In fact, advertisers have led us to believe the best facial products are the ones that make the most suds or leave a ‘squeaky-clean’ sensation. In principal, this result sounds good, especially if you have oily skin, but in fact the body always seeks to normalize itself – that is to balance and heal – so when we remove the skin’s oil content, it responds by making more oil to compensate for the loss.

If we dry the skin too much, it will produce excessive amounts of oil that may exacerbate an existing acne condition. Of course, if you have dry skin already, you do not want to make it drier. If you have sensitive skin, you do not want to irritate it further with harsh chemicals and soaps.

Herbal clay masks have been found to do wonders for the skin – naturally. The herbs act as a gentle scrub to clear away the dirt, toxins, pollutants and dead skin cells, but they do not strip away the necessary moisture in the skin. At the same time, they are balancing, nutritive, healing and totally free of toxic ingredients.

For deeper exfoliation, experts recommend herbal masks at least once or twice a week.
The skin sheds cells at a rate of one million per hour, so it is important to do a mild exfoliation daily. A that rate, it takes the skin about one month to completely regenerate itself and the herbal mask, “peels” away the old cells, so new ones can grow. The dead cells are also the top protective layer of the skin, however, and if we remove too much too soon, we leave the new cell growth unprotected. If the cells are not growing in at the rate we remove them, skin problems will develop.

An herbal facial mask can perform wonders on dry, oily, flaky, or just plain tired skin without damaging the renewing skin cells. Before setting out to purchase a facial mask first, ask yourself what you want to fix or change about your complexion. Is your skin excessively oily? Does it feel dry and tight? Does your skin look dull and flaky in the mirror? Whatever your specific skin type, herbal clay masks (preferably organic) will bring out your best appearance.

If you are blessed with oily skin, be thankful. Your skin will age the best, with fewer wrinkles than those with dry skin. Those with oily skin should only be careful to prevent blackheads and clogged pores; this is easy if you use the right products and facial masks. Do not be seduced by products that claim to “pull” the clogs out of your pores. These will damage your skin over time, making your pores permanently enlarged. Better are dissolving facial masks that remove pore-clogging matter gently. Another great attributeof a clay facial mask is that it will leave very tiny residue behind, filling in fine lines and slightly enlarges pores. This is a perfect way to prepare for a big night out, giving you a perfectly smooth surface over which to apply makeup.

A facial mask should be applied weekly and left on the skin for at least 15 minutes or longer. Apply in a circular motion and use enough product to leave a thick layer on your face. Spend time relaxing while the mask does its job. Remove the mask with warm water and gentle scrubbing.

Treating your face to an herbal clay mask each week will keep you looking fresh and youthful and maintain optimal skin health.

Natural Cures for Dry Skin

Dry skin is uncomfortable and unsightly. Have you wondered what will help dry skin? Many people with dry skin find that ingredients in commercially available lotions are irritating to their delicate skin. They find themselves wondering about gentle products with natural ingredients. Could these be what will help dry skin? Here are some natural cures for extra dry skin.

Aloe Vera:

Aloe vera gel from the houseplant aloe vera is a soothing lotion for extra dry skin. This wonderful substance is antiseptic and anti-fungal as well as being able to cool hot dry skin. The houseplant is attractive and easy to grow, but the gel is also available in many skin lotions and creams. To use the gel directly from the plant, simply break off a leaf. You can squeeze a small amount of gel out of the broken end, or you can use a small knife to cut the outer skin of the leaf to access more of the gel. The gel does not go bad, so you can keep the unused part of the leaf around for future needs. Aloe vera has been studied in the laboratory. It has been found to contain ingredients that are known to stop pain and itching. It also prevents infection in cracked or raw dry skin. If you are buying a commercially prepared lotion, what will help dry skin is to choose one that has aloe vera gel listed as one of the first few ingredients. Many products are labeled as containing aloe vera, but really contain very little of it.

Marshmallow Herb:

The wild herb marshmallow (althea officinalis) and it’s cousin low mallow, (Malva neglecta) sometimes called “cheeses,” are natural cures for extra dry skin. A tea made from marshmallow root or leaf soaked in cold water (2 tablespoons of dry powdered root to 1 quart of water) overnight can be taken three times a day. The herb is mucilagenous, which means that the tea or poultice preparations made with it become slimy. This sliminess is what makes mucilagenous herbs dry skin solutions. It is healing and soothing on dry skin. Dip a cloth in the tea to apply to the dry skin directly. The powdered root of the marshmallow can be added to skin cream or water to make a soothing lotion for dry skin. It can be purchased in bulk from many health food stores.

Colloidal Oatmeal:

You can find other natural cures for extra dry skin at your health food store. Oatmeal is often used in home remedies for dry skin. Check labels and you will find that some of the natural dry skin solutions at the health food store also contain oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is oatmeal that has been ground into a powder so fine it will distribute itself in water. It is widely available under the brand name of Aveeno, among others. Try adding two cups of this colloidal oatmeal to a bathtub full of warm water for a soothing soak. People have been using oatmeal baths as natural cures for extra dry skin for over 4000 years. Some dry skin solutions have stood the test of time!

Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil and other healthy oils can be added to the diet or rubbed onto the skin. Avocado and raw milk are also full of natural saturated fats that can be helpful to the skin. Satuated fats are usually regarded as unhealthy, but some nutritionists are saying that it’s the type of saturated fat that makes the difference. Coconut oil is mostly what they call medium-chain fatty acids, as compared to others that are short or long-chain. These are considered more healthful, but only if they are not hydrogenated. Hydrogenation is the process chemists use to turn a liquid oil into a solid one, as in turning soybean oil into margarine or shortening. It is well-known now that hydrogenated fats really should not be in our diets. They contain “trans fats” which are harmful. Some vegetable oils like coconut oil, are solid at room temperature, if the day is cool. But even if you don’t desire to add coconut oil to your diet, it still makes a good oil for dry skin.

Dry skin recommendations

Dry skin recommendations and supplements that can help your skin

LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS

Dry skin responds best to climates with high humidity and hates cold, dry and windy climates. Indoor heating and air-conditioning can also be drying to skin. If you live in a dry climate, try to use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. There are many affordable varieties available on the market or for re-sale today.
Don’t steam facials because steaming is actually more drying than hydrating. Likewise, avoid steam rooms, swimming pools, chlorinated hot tubs and overly hot baths. Avoid those old-fashioned recommendations to put your face under a towel over a pot of boiling water. Not only will this lead to excessive drying, it can also cause broken capillaries or blood veins along the fragile skin of the cheeks and nose.

If your skin tends to be dry, and tight or wrinkled and sun spotted, avoid excessive sun, exposure or hot wax facial treatments, hair sprays and hair dyes that can dry your skin and provoke inflammation leading to dark spots.

Hormone replacement therapy can help to lessen skin dryness after Menopause though it will increase age spots due to new hormones stimulating pigment production. It may help prevent the wrinkles that quickly occur after menopause Consult with your doctor with your family health history to make an informed decision on HRT.

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