Trouble Finding The Best All Natural Skin Care Products?

June 6, 2009 by Peter Albertonach · Leave a Comment 

by Peter Albertonach

Worldwide there is a groundswell of women looking to find more natural skin care products. Millions of women are now searching out the best all natural skin care products, and for good reason.

Gradually consumers are realizing that our skin care products and cosmetics as well as many other personal products can contain harmful ingredients.

A quick example, a recent study found lead in over 50% of big brand lipsticks tested.

And it's fine to be wanting to look better or smell better, but doing that at the risk of our health isn't smart. Who wants lead on their lips?

And big name manufacturers are now recognizing this and trying to get a foothold in the natural products market.

Recently L'Oreal has purchased The Body Shop to get a toehold in the natural personal products market.

Now lets consider skin care. Firstly, what does "all natural" mean when applied to skin care? Well there is no definition of natural for either cosmetics or skin care or other products.

All natural is a general term. It can mean what you want it to mean and so one all natural skin care line may well have ingredients in it that are suspect to some people.

So what do we do if we're looking for the best all natural skin care products and there are some out there which can still contain potentially nasty ingredients?

If you're looking for a "natural" product it's pretty sure you're looking for a product what works well and is SAFE.

So once we recognize this we can use this information to find what we want.

So, how do we find these products? Lets look at how we determine if a product should be safe. There is a website called the cosmetic safety database. It considers the health risks inherent in a wide range of cosmetics and skin care products and more. It rates the potential health risks of various ingredients in these products.

So you can look at any product and search the ingredients to see if they are considered unsafe to health. You could search "parabens" for example, (a popular chemical preservative) and see what risks parabens pose.

The find the website for the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics. The have a compact that any company can sign. This pledges that company to using only known safe ingredients in their products. And you can search this compact to see which companies have signed it, and which haven't. You won't find the big names there.

And if a company has signed that compact it should make safe skin care products. You can search this compact for any company name to see if they have signed.

So that covers safety. How do you know if the company that makes those all natural skin care products actually makes good skin care products? Well the best way I know is to find a company that gives you a money back guarantee on their products. Even amongst the good natural skin care companies getting a money back guarantee is rare.

One company has both signed the compact and offer a full money back guarantee. And it's that company that makes the best all natural skin care products.

Head over to my website to find out which company.

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Functional Keratin And Skin Care Explained.

May 14, 2009 by Peter Albertonach · Leave a Comment 

by Peter Albertonach

If you are interested in researching a little about skin care and skin health it wont be long before you start to read about the role of keratin in maintaining your skins health. But what is keratin?

Keratin is found right throughout our bodies. It is a protein that is extremely strong and it can be found in the hard areas of our bodies like our nails and also in the softer areas of our bodies, like skin. A lot of keratin is found in our nails, teeth, hair and skin.

In our skin keratin is produced by keratinocytes, a type of skin cell in the epidermis, and this keratin has a role in keeping our skin in good health. As keratin cells come to the surface they die, and form a protective layer on the surface. And these dead cells are shed all the time as dead skin cells.

There are some important roles that keratin performs in our skin, including providing some skin waterproofing. But in particular it provides skin elasticity and skin strength.

Both these are important for optimal skin health, and as our skin ages it starts to lose some of its ability to maintain its strength and elasticity and this is due in part to a reduction in keratin.

So you would assume that it's good to use skin care products that contain keratin, but that's wrong.

You see the keratin that is used in mainstream skin care products is extracted from the horns and hooves of animals and is extracted using acid and heat. This results in the keratin being denaturalized by a process called hydrolization. Denaturalized simply means that its no longer of use to your skin because its form has been changed.

So if that's keratin what does functional keratin mean? Functional keratin is keratin that is not changed or denaturalized by the process of extracting it, and is still of use to the skin. It is produced without heat or acid from the wool of sheep.

One very small company has only very recently perfected this process and has patented it, and puts the functional keratin into a product called Cynergy TK that is used only in the very best skin care products available.

Studies on the effectiveness of products containing Cynergy TK have shown visible improvements in fine lines and wrinkles on the skin and an improvement in skin complexion.

Cynergy TK is expensive, and so the big brand name skin care products don't use it. But it is possible to get skin care products that contain Cynergy TK, and they aren't more expensive than other skin care products. Why? Because the big brands spend their budget on advertising, whereas the small niche company spends it's budget on product quality.

You'll find that the big brand mainstream anti aging products are priced to factor in all that advertising.

So theres some background on the role of keratin in the skin. And about what functional keratin is if you were wondering.

I write more about Cynergy TK on my website.

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Cellulite Causes and Remedies

April 25, 2009 by El Bilson · Leave a Comment 

by El Bilson

A cause of emotional stress is often cellulite. This is especially true in women since women are much more likely to get cellulite than men. Cellulite is basically accumulated fat under certain spots of the body, such as the thighs, the hips, and the belly. Needless to say, such problems are difficult to hide with clothing, and can be a source of embarrassment.

The following are all things that can lead to cellulite:

#1 " Heredity. Cellulite is one of those things that gets passed down from generation to generation. You are more likely to get cellulite if your parents and grandparents also suffered from it. It's an unfortunate heirloom that many sufferers have no choice but to deal with.

If you have an older relative who successfully got rid of their cellulite problem, then don't hesitate to ask them how they did it. It's likely that what worked for them will work for you " after all, you do share some of the same genes that are likely causing the problem!

#2 " Medication. Some forms of medication can trigger hormonal changes in the body. These changes can accelerate the accumulation of fat in the body. Such medications include birth control pills, diet pills, and sleeping pills. It's always a good idea to check with your doctor before taking any of these medications, especially if your family has a history of cellulite.

#3 " Smoking. Cellulite is a condition that's affected not only by the buildup of fat under the skin, but also by the condition of the skin itself. Smoking doesn't only cause lung cancer and heart problems " it also weakens the skin and thus making cellulite look even worse. It's never a good idea to smoke. Poor skin with cellulite is just another reason to kick the habit soon.

#4 " Bad eating habits. Eating too much junk and fast food as well as drinking too much caffeine and alcohol is one of the most prominent causes of cellulite. It's not unusual to see kids as young as 14 with cellulite these days, mainly because good eating habits aren't taught well enough at home and school. Unfortunately, there are other problems caused by bad eating habits " you can also add obesity, migraines, vertigo, impotence, and hypertension to the list.

The best foods to counter cellulite involves a diet of much less junk food including fried food, fast food, processed food " and more of the good stuff. Incorporating more fruits and veggies into your diet is a good place to start. You can still have junk food every now and then. Just remember to balance it with healthy food and regular exercise. This will help prevent cellulite from appearing.

#5 " Bad drinking habits. Believe it or not, cellulite is affected by the amount of water you drink. Water is needed by the body to flush toxins out of the body on a daily basis. Some toxins are the leading triggers of cellulite. If you don't drink enough water in a day, too many toxins will be left in the body, and cellulite buildup will be inevitable.

Make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water everyday to keep your skin hydrated. Water will also keep your skin from drying, improving the overall appearance of even your fatty bulges. Fruit juice is also okay, but be careful " some brands of fruit juice have the same amount (sometimes even more) of calories as soda. This can make it harder for you to shed those unwanted slabs of fat.

Now that you know about the most common cellulite causes and how to address them, the next thing you need to remember is to start slowly. Healthy habits can be hard to stick to, but practice makes perfect! Eventually you will see healthier skin as a result of your efforts!

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Smoking and Cellulite

April 23, 2009 by El Bilson · Leave a Comment 

by El Bilson

You may have wondered if smoking and cellulite go hand in hand. Smoking is one of the most widely practiced bad habits in the United States. The habit slowly destroys your lungs and leaves you at greater risk for lung cancer, throat cancer, and mouth cancer. And while smoking causes problems with all organs of the body, it also deteriorates the quality of your skin.

Cigarette smoke contains many different chemicals - among them, cyanide, benzene, formaldehyde, methanol, acetylene (the fuel used in welding torches), and ammonia. Each of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke are harmful to the body. Some of them are lethal if consumed in any other form, so its no surprise that these toxins can lead to various skin disorders.

One of the ways smoking damages your skin is by affecting collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein of the skin. It helps keep the skin firm and taut. Collagen is also a component of everything from blood vessels to organs. Naturally as a person ages, the cells of the body gradually produces less collagen. Smoking accelerates the breakdown of collagen in the skin and in the body. Collagen breakdown starts at a younger age and a faster rate for regular smokers.

In addition to collagen loss, the body's production of hyaluronic acid is affected by smoking. Hyaluronic acid is a compound produced in the body that adds fullness and tautness to the skin. It helps prevent the hollow look that is often seen in older skin. It works by helping the cells retain moisture. As with collagen, the body naturally produces less hyaluronic acid as it ages. But the free radicals that are either present in cigarette smoke breaks down the chains of hyaluronic acid, leading damaged skin cells.

Both of these problems have great effects on cellulite. Firm skin is able to retain moisture and will be able to better hide the fat that cellulite is present. Think of skin like fabric. Healthy skin is like denim, and can better hide cellulite infected thighs. But skin that has been ravaged by years of smoking is more like spandex - stretchy, weak, and unable to hide anything.

Smoking also affects the quality of the blood and lymphatic vessels. This is due to the fact that both compounds are major components in the pipes that support our blood and lymphatic fluids. Smoking damages the vessels in our body, making them less able to transport nutrients to the organs that need them, including the skin. Smoking also affects blood flow by constricting the vessels. Both of these side effects contribute to poor nutrient transport and fluid retention which can lead to an increase in cellulite.

The only upside to the effects of smoking and cellulite is that the effects of smoking are not seen for awhile. In fact, if you are a younger adult, many of the physical problems that come with smoking may actually be reversed by living a healthy lifestyle. However, the longer you wait, the more irreversible damage that will be done to your body.

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Looking For The Best Moisturizer? 4 Steps To Well Moisturized Skin.

April 11, 2009 by Peter Albertonach · Leave a Comment 

by Peter Albertonach

Does that confuse you? Surly if you want great looking well moisturized skin you need to find the best moisturizer? No, and here's why, and also here's 4 steps to great looking skin that is also well moisturized skin.

There's one way to have well moisturized great looking skin that doesn't sag or feel dry, looks great, has few wrinkles and makes you feel great. It's to have healthy skin. If your skin isn't healthy skin no amount of using the best face moisturizer there is will make it like that.

I'll say it again. The key to well moisturized skin is to have healthy skin. Because healthy skin is, almost by definition, well moisturized skin. If it isn't it isn't healthy. Makes sense.

So why are you out there looking for the best moisturizer? Why aren't you trying to make your skin healthy and why aren't you using skincare products targeted to overall skin health rather than just moisturising?

So there's other things you can do to make your skin healthy other than using great skin care products?

Well there's some simple stuff. Simple but not necessarily easily. There 4 things you need to do to have great looking healthy and well moisturized skin.

1. Eat a good diet. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. Eating a good healthy diet is exactly what you should do to get healthy overall, and healthy overall is the way to great looking healthy skin and well moisturized skin.

2. It's equally important to exercise. If you exercise it makes your blood circulation better, and better circulation is important for your skin.

3. Those are 2 things you must do, here's 2 things never to do. Don't smoke or get sunburned. Both of these do terrible damage to your skin and both of them cause more damage than great moisturizing can ever repair.

4. What's the last thing you need to do to have great skin? Use the best natural skin care products available. There are some excellent natural skin care products that are specifically targeted to improving skin health, and along the way they moisturize better than the best rated moisturizer. There's no point in just moisturizing, tackle overall skin health and skin moisture retention will do with it.

Yes the skin care products that moisturize better than any others aren't in fact a moisturizer at all. They are products that include natural moisturizers that are better than the ingredients in the big brand name moisturizers, but they aren't moisturizers. And so if you search the best moisturizers you won't even find them.

So the best facial moisturizer isn't really a moisturizer at all. And remember, there's way more you can do to improve your skin than just using the best moisturizer.

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Fitness – Weight Loss Center

March 30, 2009 by Dani Maurer · Leave a Comment 

by Dani Maurer

Weight loss centers are often used to describe weight loss programs that are locally operated. If this is your first time looking to join a weight loss center, you may be unsure as to what you should look for in one. An important part of joining a weight loss center is finding the weight loss center that is perfect for you and your own personal needs. For that reason, there are a number of factors, which are outlined below, that you will want to take into consideration.

One of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration, when looking for a weight loss center to join, is the location. With gas prices high, many individuals find it difficult to travel long distances. You will have to pay money to become a member at a weight loss center; therefore, you should be careful about adding on extra costs, like the cost of gasoline, to your membership. If, at all possible, you should look for weight loss centers that are conveniently located either close to your home or your place of business.

Speaking of costs, as previously mentioned, you will have to pay to become a member of a weight loss center. This cost will vary depending on the weight loss center in question. On average, most weight loss center memberships are around twenty or thirty dollars a month. With that in mind, it is doable to find weight loss centers that cost more money. If you are on a budget, a weight loss center membership fee may have an impact on the weight loss center that you chose to become a member at.

Although it is important to find a weight loss center that you can afford, you don?t want to have your decision be based solely on costs. You will want to take the time to examine each weight loss center that you come across. For instance, you should be able to find some weight loss centers that only have weekly or monthly meetings or weigh-ins for members to attend. On the other hand, there are weight loss centers that may have exercise classes or a fitness gym, which you should gain access to as a member. If you are able to find a quality weight loss center or one that comes highly rated and recommend, higher membership fees may be worth it.

With the internet, it is easy to review a company or a program, like a weight loss program. With a standard internet search, preferably with the name of the weight loss center in question, you should be able to come across program reviews or online discussions. Research is not only a great way to find weight loss centers that have great reviews, but it is also a great way to learn of any weight loss centers that you should avoid or ones that are known for not being worth the costs.

Although many weight loss centers come highly rated and recommended, it is important to find the weight loss center that can best fit you and your needs.

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Are You Using Safe Cosmetics?

March 17, 2009 by Peter Albertonach · Leave a Comment 

by Peter Albertonach

Would you assume that the cosmetics, or perhaps the cosmetics that your daughter uses, would be safe to use. It would seem reasonable to make that assumption. We should all be able to assume that the government would protect us from dangerous products like dangerous cosmetics. Sadly it doesn't, and you need to source safe cosmetics so you're not taking a risk with your health. Are you using safe cosmetics?

Sadly no. Neither the government or the major cosmetics companies take steps to ensure that our cosmetics are safe, and as a result there is a whole range of dangerous cosmetics and skin care products on the market which contain dangerous ingredients including lead, 1,4-dioxane and paraben.

Doesn't the FDA do something about this? Sadly again, no. The FDA does not test or examine cosmetic products to establish that they are safe for human use and don't contain harmful ingredients, and even admit to this on the FDA website. The government does not act in our best interests by ensuring that the cosmetics that millions of American women use every single day are safe to use, and as a result we have dangerous cosmetics on the shelves of our major department stores.

The situation is so bad that there are now entire organizations set up to raise public awareness of this problem. Primary amongst them is one called the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics.

Sadly though the government isn't listening to the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics, and the cosmetics companies aren't listening either. There is nothing being done to protect US women from dangerous ingredients found in mascaras, bronzers, eye shadows, lipsticks, blushes and more that women here are using daily not realizing they are taking a risk with their health.

Here's a couple of examples of unsafe cosmetics for you, though there are many.

The Campaign For Safe Cosmetics initiated laboratory testing of major brand name lipsticks in 2007. The report was astonishing. More than 50% of big brand name lipsticks, including some of the biggest names that you may well use now, contained lead. And you're not even immune if you buy the most expensive brands, they were represented amongst the lipsticks that contained lead as well.

Back in 2002 laboratory tests found Phthalates in the majority of 72 different common big brand beauty, personal care and body products, including cosmetics, that most American women take for granted. This includes products from Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and Revlon. Phthalates are industrial chemicals linked to birth defects and abnormalities in male reproductive organs.

And this includes such common and everyday products like shampoos and toothpastes.

Despite the fact that Phthalates weren't listed on the labels they were found in 52 of 72 products tested.

Now is that scary or what?

Is it possible to buy safe cosmetics? Yes it is, in fact the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics runs a register of companies that are prepared to sign a compact pledging the company to make products using only known safe ingredients. And there are some excellent safe cosmetics to be found, but you won't find them on the shelves of your local store.

But I'll bet you've never heard of these small niche companies because they can't compete with the big brands on TV advertising, but nevertheless they make excellent and safe ranges of cosmetics.

Visit my website to find out more about safe cosmetics.

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Fitness – Do You Need to Lose Weight

February 13, 2009 by Marc Bauer · Leave a Comment 

by Marc Bauer

Each day in the United States, million of Americans say to them "I need to lose weight." Are you one of those individuals? While many of the individuals who tell themselves that they need to lose weight do need to lose weight, not all do. So, the question that many ask themselves is "do I really need to lose weight?" If that is a question that you have asked yourself before, you will want to continue reading on.

One of the many signs that you may need to lose weight is if you are obese. Many individuals do not realize that there is a difference between being overweight and being obese. While different healthcare professionals have different definitions for obese, it is often said that those who are thirty or forty pounds overweight are obese. If you are obese, you shouldn't only be worried about your appearance, but your health as well. Obesity has been linked to multiple health complications, including the early onset of death.

Another single of a most signs which we should remove weight is if we have been told which we need to do so. Whether your medicine endorsed losing weight or if someone which we know upon a personal turn has, it is suggested which we during slightest take their suggestions in to consideration. Unfortunately, most people have been broke or turn disappoint when they have been told which they need to remove weight. What we need to recollect is which a particular referring to your weight to we expected isn't as endangered with your coming as they have been with your health.

Another sign that you may want to think about losing weight is if you are finding that your clothes no longer fit you. Of course, it is normal for some individuals to gain weight or to have their weight fluctuate, but you may want to think about joining a weight loss program or developing your own weight loss plan if you find that your clothes no longer fit or are difficult to get into. Unfortunately, many individuals do not just have a small weight gain. Small weight gain often leads to more, which could have a negative impact on your health. It is also important to mention the cost of new clothes, which you may not be able to afford.

If you find many simple tasks or activities, like travel up a flight of stairs, difficult, you may want to think about losing weight. Of course, becoming out of breath from simple activities may not necessarily just be a weight problem, but there is a good chance that it is. When you lose weight, even just a little bit of it, you will likely find it easier to do many of the activities that you love or even the tasks that you need to do, like take your kids to the park.

The above mentioned signs are just a few of the many signs that you may need to lose weight. Should you wish to lose weight, you are advised to proceed with caution. There are a number of weight loss products on the market, like diet pills or exercise equipment, which do not work. To save yourself money and to protect your health, you may want to consider consulting with your physician before starting any weight loss program, even one that you develop yourself.

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Hand Wart: Learning to Keep Your Hands to Yourself

December 9, 2008 by Anthony Galz · 1 Comment 

Hand warts can be very discomfiting, itchy and irritating. Don't wait till you catch it. Read on and know more about how you can avoid getting your hands into a mess like this (pun intended).

A hand wart can be acquired through direct contact with a person with hand wart. You can also catch hand wart from using towels or clothing and other personal items recently used by another person infected with hand wart. Beware of communal areas and public places like the gym and the gym shower room, the areas around the public pool, among others. A warm and moist environment is the ideal environment for hand wart to spread, be careful when you do visit these places.

To reduce the risk that you, or other people around you, will catch hand wart, follow these tips:

- Don't trust public areas to perform your grooming habits in. You may get infected, or carry the hand wart infection with you out of that area.

- Never borrow or lend personal items. Do not share socks, shoes, razors, nail cutters and files, hand towels, or towels and other articles of clothing with other people in the risk of catching a hand wart infection from any of these items. Most hand wart symptoms are externally visible, but other symptoms are notoriously small and inconspicuous as to be nearly invisible. It's better safe than sorry.

- Be wary of where you put your hands down in communal places like the gym, in public showers, at areas around pools, and in restrooms and toilets, locker rooms and waiting areas. Wear shoes or sandals in these places to avoid catching hand wart. Avoid warm, moist areas in these places; those are ideal for the hand wart infection to multiply and spread.

- Avoid touching someone's hand wart. Touching it even so slightly can infect you. Do not be tempted by your curiosity to ask to touch your friend's hand wart. That's a disgusting and embarrassing thing to ask of someone who may be humiliated by his or her wart infection. Don't make the situation even worse by asking to see his or her hand wart and then touching it.

- Always keep your hands clean and dry since hand wart can spread more easily when your hands are wet and come in contact with an infected person, or an area where hand wart may be. Dry your hands well so you can reduce the chances of catching hand wart (remember to use your own towel). If you have sweaty hands, carry a handkerchief -- and if possible, talcum powder.

- Avoid injuring your hands, especially the palms. Hand wart grows and spreads more easily when you have a wound, or even small scratches that break the skin.

The hand wart is caused by a viral infection called the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It is a skin infection so common nearly forty percent of all people have caught it at one point or another. There are many subtypes of the HPV virus and all of these are highly contagious. Your hand wart, in particular, is caused by one or two of these viral strains.

As far as health and infections are concerned, the prevention is still the best cure and the only way to prevent hand warts from occurring is to maintain good hygiene. This will, in turn, develop your immune system. It is your can that resist the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), so take care of your health, and don't stick your hands just about anywhere.

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