Beauty Health Skin Care

We were talking about skin care last time, and that got me to thinking.  I am in my twenties, and when you look at all the skin care commercials on TV, all of them seem targeted to people in their twenties and their teens.  But what about people with adult acne?  What about menopausal women?  In many ways, a woman going through menopause actually has as many problems with her skin as a teenage girl caught up in the middle of puberty.  In both cases their hormones are going insane, causing their sebaceous glands to produce much more sebum.  Of course, menopausal women also have to deal with dry skin, wrinkles, lines, a dull complexion, and their skin can even start looking leathery.  If you are going through menopause and experiencing any of these things, then you might think about trying Murad Resurgence.  In addition to a comprehensive line of anti aging skin care products, you will also have access to bonus products, which includes something specially formulated to combat menopausal acne.

Egg whites are inarguably healthy.  We’re supposed to eat them instead of the yolks, after all.  A little known and sometimes controversial fact is that egg whites are also very beneficial to your skin.

They provide skin care in a number of ways, though you might have read evidence to the contrary.  Trust me, though, I’m using firsthand experience as my guide here.  Egg whites can clear out your pores and clear up blemishes and, as such, can even have a beneficial affect on acne breakouts.

More importantly, it can make your skin firm.  A lot of skin care experts say these effects are only short term, but if you keep up with the regime (doing the facial mask once a week, or even once every two weeks), egg whites can significantly push back the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in your face.  My mom introduced me to this treatment.  She used to use it herself, and now, at age forty … something (oh, like I’d give her age out to the Internet ), she looks like she just hit thirty – so you tell me how “short term” this is

To use this mask, literally all you need is a small bowl of egg whites.  If you don’t want to waste the yolks, you can do one of two things: buy some egg whites, or break and separate your own eggs, and use the yolks on your hair, to make it richer, shinier, and healthier.

Acne is a problem for a lot of people.  The problem is, those people who have never suffered from this emotionally and physically painful skin condition harbor a lot of misconceptions about it.  For instance, do you even realize how many people think that acne is just a problem for teenagers?  They therefore “coach” people suffering from adult acne to just get over it, it will clear up, it’s not a big deal — and all kinds of other hurtful, ultimately false pieces of “advice.”

In truth, acne is a serious problem.  A lot of individual who have it will have to see a dermatologist and possibly take a hardcore acne medications.  Even if you do not have cystic acne, though, you definitely need to adopt a comprehensive skin care regime into your life.  After thorough research on the subject, I have to recommend Acne Complex, the skin care line marketed by Murad, one of the leaders in the acne treatment industry.

This line is gentle, yet the products included in it — there are three — are specifically designed and specially formulated to deep clean your pores and exfoliate your skin.  At the same time, they work to keep your skin properly hydrated, so that you do not lose essential moisture.  It soothes irritated skin and, even as it heals existing blemishes, works to prevent to breakouts from forming.

So if you are in the market for an acne treatment, think about Murad.  The only thing you’ll really lose are all those bumps, blemishes, and pimples.  You will be left with healthy skin that glows with radiance.

Your spirit cannot flourish if it is weighed down by burdens.  Grudges, regrets, resentments – all of these are holding you back and holding you down.  Perhaps you have issues with yourself.  Perhaps you have issues with someone else.  If you are hurting, you need to realize – you do not have to hold onto that.  Forgive yourself.  Forgive anyone and everyone who has hurt you.  Do not harbor old hurts, do not hold onto them.

If you have a problem with yourself – perhaps you think yourself too shy, too thin, too fat; not pretty enough, not shapely enough, not enough, period – stop.  Stop, forgive yourself, embrace yourself.  If you have a perceived flaw, then love it and make it yours.  If it is something you do not want to have anymore, if it is something you can get rid of, then work toward eliminating it – but do not resent yourself for it.

Has someone hurt you?  Forgive them.  Let it go.  By allowing the issue to remain in your heart and in your mind, you are giving the culprit free space in your head.  You are letting that person affect you and you do not need to do that.  Forgive them.  Be the bigger person.  Do not allow them – or anyone else – to have that kind of power over you.

Own your flaws, own your hurts, and own yourself – and then release it.  Let it go, give yourself freedom, and you will find your heart, mind, body, and spirit truly revitalized.

Ah, the joy of a good massage – and yes, that means a legitimate massage!

You may think a massage is a luxury you can’t afford but really, you can’t afford not to get one.  I’m not talking about going all Beverly Hills pampered socialite here.  I’m talking about booking a massage once a month – maybe twice if you’ve been really stressed or tense – and just treating yourself.  You’d be surprised at how many people offer extremely affordable rates.  There is even a thing called mobile massage, where the therapist will come to your house.

You can choose from a number of different massages.  Aromatherapy massage is ideal for relaxing you when you are particularly stressed.  It involves the use of fragrant, calming, scented oils.  These essential oils are key in relaxation and feeling energetic.  Deep tissue massage goes way down deep, getting to those knots and spots of tension located way beneath your musculature.  It is helpful if you suffer from chronic problems, problems with posture, or injuries.  There are good old back massages as well, which are perfect for getting rid of painful knots and feelings of stress.

Often – more often than you might think, though it should come as no surprise – your mind, body, and spirit are revitalized the most by humble, simple, and selfless acts.  This includes giving thanks – for your family, for your friends, for your life.  It also includes taking a minute every day to breathe in deep – and being thankful just for that moment.  Giving thanks before you eat is also important.  Even if you only have time to grab a quick sandwich in the middle of a hectic work day, take a moment for yourself before you sit down to eat it.  Give thanks, breathe deeply, and rejoice even in that one small part of mundane, every day life.

Remember that post on books a while ago? Books are your friends, and by reading something that really gives you inspiration, you can significantly revitalize your spirit. Most of the tips you will see about this topic will likely tell you to go out and by some self help books – and if that is your cup of tea, then by all means, have at it. But those are not the only books which inspire. What was the last really great book you read? What was your favorite book when you were a child; when you were in middle school; when you were in high school? If it’s been a long time since you read it, go pick it up again.

For women, spiritual health and beauty is just as vital as physical health and beauty; spiritual care, caring for our souls, is just as important as skin care and pampering. I recommend the books written by Alice Walker – if you are a woman, no matter if you are black, white, green, or purple, they will not only touch you, they will get you in touch with yourself as well. Check out The Color Purple, Possessing the Secret of Joy, and The Temple of My Familiar, which are some of the most beautiful books ever written – all of them are odes to the spirit, the soul, and woman (as Queen), herself.

Before your body can be healthy, before your skin can be in good condition, before you can completely embrace everything about yourself, you have to nurture and revitalize your spirit. You have to be completely at one with yourself and the first step to doing this is being mindful. What is mindfulness? It is living for and savoring the moment that is happening right now. It is taking each moment as it comes and loving it for what it is, rather than thinking about something that happened yesterday or worrying what will happen tomorrow.

Living this moment but wondering about others is a lot like kissing someone that you are very much into, but at the same time, thinking about other people you have kissed, and other people you may kiss in the future. It is like drinking a glass of water and wishing it was a glass of water you had two years ago.

Love this moment, love yourself in it, and love what you are doing it. By practicing mindfulness, you are well on your way to not only being yourself, but loving yourself without judgment or reservations. You are that much closer to accepting each moment for what it gives you and going with the flow of things rather than wishing for something else. You will start to feel more patient with everyone around you – including yourself. Most important, you will start trusting in yourself and accepting your feelings for what they are.

The world is so busy and every minute of our day is so fast paced that it is all too easy to neglect ourselves.  When is the last time that you were really about to take some time for yourself?  When was the last time you were really able to lose yourself? 

Wanting some time to yourself is not selfish.  In fact, it is utterly necessary.  If we let our day to day stresses get to us, we are going to show it.  Too much stress and too little relaxation can lead to anxiety, fatigue, and even feelings of depression.  Your body is affected as well, in extremely negative ways: in addition to getting bags and bruises beneath your eyes, they themselves can look lackluster and dull, your skin can lose its elasticity and start to sag, and your body will just feel tired.  You can even suffer from acne breakouts!

What is your favorite past time?  Do you like to take long, hot baths?  Do you love nothing better than sitting down with a nice, thick, new book?  Maybe you’re a movie buff, perhaps you enjoy long walks, or maybe you get your relaxation when you do your favorite sport — swimming, tennis, even jogging.  Do yourself a favor: take an hour for yourself a couple of days every week — even one day, if that is all you can manage.  Read a book, watch a film, soak in the tub, or just sit back somewhere and relax.  It’s a guarantee that you’ll be in a better mood, you’ll feel better, and you’ll look better — and everybody will notice!

This last step on this installment of natural skin care also involves watching the foods you eat. The belief that you need to stay away from fatty foods entirely is a common misconception. In truth, there are some fats that your body needs to keep producing sufficient energy. Now, that does not mean that it is all right to go out and start consuming Big Macs to your heart’s content! It simply means that you need to pay close attention to the types of fats you eat. This can also help with acne and other outbreaks.

Flaxseed and walnut oil, especially when used with balsamic vinegar, makes a great salad dressing. These oils need to be kept cold and should not be used for cooking.

Eating cold water fish such as sardines and salmon are an excellent source of essential, healthy fats. You can also get a lot of protein.

If you do not like these types of foods, think about getting the proper supplements, such as fish oil supplements. Your skin will definitely thank you.