Swimthelanguage

Probably the most important part of looking good is to take care of your facial skin. Wearing the most perfectly applied make-up will not cover up a poor skin.

Take the time to practice a regular cleansing routine. To clean facial skin use a gentle, fragrance free cleanser, preferably one that is pH balanced. Deodorant soaps shouldn’t be used on your face. They may irritate your skin and eyes or clog your pores.

Dip into your fridge for facial cleansers when your regular cleanser runs out. Buttermilk or yogurt are gentle, natural skin cleansers.

While much time and attention is lavished on the face, the neck area needs as much care and consideration so always include the neck area in your skincare routine.

Moisturizing is a necessity. Again, the product with the least amount of chemical additives is the best. Always use a light moisturizer on your face and neck after cleansing.

Dry Skin – If you suffer from dry skin it’s very likely you’ve tried numerous ‘miracle cure’ products only to discover they were not. You do not necessarily need to buy those expensive creams or lotions to treat the problem, you can often find good solutions by following a few useful tips.

Do not use tap water when cleansing dry skin. The deposits are too drying and never, ever use hot water.

Unless your skin is oily, avoid washing your face with soap as it removes the natural oils protecting the skin.

Nourish and hydrate with Chamomile, Evening Primrose or Aloe Vera.

Massage your face with a nourishing cream every night, paying particular attention to the area surrounding the eyes where tiny lines and crows feet develop.

Refrain from using toner as this can dry out the skin.

Oily Skin – One great advantage of oily skin is that it ages at a slower rate than other skin types.

Cleanse with plenty of warm water and pure or lightly medicated soap to prevent the clogging of pores. (contrary to popular belief, hot water can deprive your skin of much needed moisture). Limit washing your face to two or three times daily as too much stimulation will produce more oil. Rinse your face thoroughly and apply a toner/astringent on the oily areas of your skin by massaging with your fingertips using upward and outward strokes.

Harsh products deprive your skin of natural oils and encourage flakiness. This in turn can lead to a reaction known as reactive seborrhoea, where the oil glands work overtime to compensate for the loss of natural oils. When skin becomes dehydrated it causes the outer layers to shrink and restricts oil flow through the pores leading to blockages and spots.

Use a cleanser that contains benzoil peroxide or salicylic acid and avoid heavy creams.

The skin around your eyes and mouth and on your throat may benefit from a nightly moisturizing, plus a mere touch of moisturizer in the morning.

If your oily skin is scaly, you can often correct the problem by using a deep-cleaning exfoliant on alternate nights, and following the treatment with a light coating of moisturizer.

Try using a clay or mud mask. If you have sensitive skin, use white or rose-coloured clays.

Exfoliate skin regularly with a natural exfoliant such as glycolic acid to remove dead skin cells, balance oil production and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.

Before applying makeup, use an antiseptic day cream with active ingredients that diminish sebaceous secretions. Look for benzyl peroxide in the list of active ingredients.

Use a light antiseptic night cream from time to time if you wish, and apply a clarifying mask one or two times a week.

What if I told you that our health is the most important asset we have. Would you believe me? Why is it today that everybody seems to be plagued with bad health.

You can make a stand and try incorporating these health tips into your everyday life and see if they make a difference to your total health.

Lets have a look:

Don’t Smoke – One of the main reasons why people decide not to give up smoking, and sadly, the reason why some people take it up is the effect smoking supposedly has on you weigh gain or loss. It is true that smoking has been associated with an increase in metabolism it is a drug!!

However it is a dangerous, addictive drug and surely the tiny effect it has on your metabolism is outweighed by the huge risk of dying from lung cancer.

Interestingly in regards to weight gain and loss, although smoking over 25 cigarettes a day can increase your metabolism by up to 10% overall, smokers have been found to be fatter than non – smokers!!

Take In More Water – You can live three weeks without food, However you can only live for three days without fluid, just think 3 days and its all over, one could suggest that fluid is fairly important!

Your body is anywhere between 60 and 70 percent fluid. The fluid in your body is responsible for helping to keep every system of your body in good working order, including all of your metabolic processes.

De-hydrate and everything slows down. The fluid in your body will also ensure that you can move well and be active.

If you start to dehydrate, your body’s ability to do basic activities will slow down and your ability to exercise effectively or even enjoy exercise will be reduced. You will feel tired, lethargic and will probably get a headache.

Eat A Variety Of Foods – For protection from the majority of illnesses such as heart disease and cancer you need a variety of foods that deliver that mix of nutrients and minerals.

Aim to eat different coloured fruits and vegetables. Try to eat a different food each month. Eat an apple a day as the apple pectin cleanses the body’s digestive system by removing toxins and therefore preventing degenerative health problems such as cancer.

Relax For 20 Minutes a Day – Relaxing for at least 20 minutes a day will go a long way to reduce blood pressure and your reactions to stress. Sit or lie somewhere comfortable, Breathe slowly in and out of the nostrils breathing deeply into your abdomen. Say HAM as you inhale and SA as you exhale.

These suggestions are charged with positive energy and will help you control your emotions. Try once a day for fantastic results.

Floss Every Day – Flossing your teeth every day is the best way to prevent gum disease and protect your heart. Gum disease, which is left untreated, can lead to inflammatory reactions in the body that can trigger heart disease and stroke.

Drink More Tea – Try drinking more tea instead of coffee to help protect your body from damaging effects of free radicals. Tea is a rich source of antioxidants that play a big role in protecting against some cancers and cardiovascular disease.

Get Active – Aerobic activity not only burns calories but also increases your metabolism and can keep it elevated for several hours after a workout. You don’t need to spend hours each day on the treadmill or bike to reap the benefits.

Exercising aerobically for as little as 20 minutes, three to five days a week will make a big difference. Extra movement throughout the day is also essential, take the stairs instead of the lift, lose the remote and move at every opportunity you can.

Get More Sleep – Lack of sleep changes your hormone levels and capacity to metabolise carbohydrates so less sleep = slower metabolism.

Studies have revealed that deep sleep causes cell repair and cell growth, which will speed up the metabolism and burn calories. So aim to get at least eight hours sleep a night.

Eat More Protein And Boost Your Energy Levels – Protein stimulates the major brain chemical dopamine which keeps us alert, try chicken or tuna salads for lunch. Go for complex carbohydrates rather than white flour and sugar, as they will provide a sustained energy source as opposed to a quick hit.

Another reason to leave simple carbohydrates out of the diet is that they have a negative effect on your skin and how it ages. The more sugar that is in the body the more you force a chemical reaction causing sugars to attach to proteins and this is very detrimental to your skin.

So go ahead and introduce these tips into your everyday life, I am sure you will reap the benefits as you go forward.