For the majority of women (and even some men today), getting a professional facial treatment is a delight. There’s nothing like being pampered in a cozy beauty spa salon bed and getting the face steamed, pores cleaned, and even a facial massage.

Unfortunately, most of these facials are expensive, not to mention the fact that it can be hard to find spas and salons that use natural products and ingredients instead of chemical-heavy facial treatments.

Experts recommend getting a facial treatment every 4-6 weeks, but that can be hard on anyone’s wallet, not unless you’re a Hollywood A-lister or an online influencer that does nothing but try to look beautiful.

Remember that – and this depends on your skin type – you only need a thorough facial treatment at least once every two months, once a month at the most. Because this is the time that your face is in a somewhat rough condition and needs to get rid of whatever it absorbed from the sun, sweat, and grime around their environment, not to mention all those dead skin cells you need to get rid of. A facial treatment, even if it’s a DIY home facial, can be equated to having a monthly tune up and oil change for your car every one or two months.

Even if the steps may seem to be tedious and reach into the 8’s, remember again that it’s only once every month or two, so you can always find time for this home treatment even in your busy schedule. Given also the fact that you’re doing it at home removes the wariness of traveling some distance to a spa or salon.

Facial treatments are an important key to healthy, glowing skin. If you truly want soft, supple, healthy, and glowing skin, you need to have a facial treatment from time to time. However, instead of setting the wallet on fire every month, why not go for DIY facial treatments at home. By regularly performing at-home facials, you not only get the same kind of professional treatment and effect from the expensive ones, but you can even improve the look of your skin tone, enjoy deep cleansing benefits, and experience overall rejuvenation. Giving yourself a DIY home facial treatment is a gorgeous form of self-love and a great way to get to know your skin.

It doesn’t take rocket science to see how essential a facial treatment is. So, how do you properly do a facial treatment even before mixing those facial concoctions?

DIY Facials You Should Try

Oatmeal, Milk, and Honey Gentle Hydrating Face Treatment

You only need ½ cup of raw ground oatmeal, ½ cup water, ½ cup milk, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Combine ingredients in a small sauce pan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Let cool and apply to face. Rinse off after 15 minutes. This mask manages breakouts and moisturizes your skin. It can also help reduce inflammation, but just make sure to use lukewarm, not hot water, when you put it on your skin. It’s clear that the ingredients used are inexpensive and fun to do at home, and what the ingredients do:

• Honey can make your skin moist and soft and can help break apart excess sebum.
• Milk can help make your skin moist and is anti-inflammatory, so it will calm down redness.
• Oatmeal can gently exfoliate your skin.
• Water thins out the mask, so you can apply it evenly to your face.

Milk and Unflavored Gelatin Face Mask

You can also use honey or tea tree oil in the absence of gelatin. Or you can mix in all these 3 ingredients together with ½ cup milk and 1 tablespoon honey. You only need a small gelatin packet and 3 drops of tea tree oil. Combine ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 10 seconds. Let cool and apply to face and rinse off after 15 minutes. Here’s what the ingredients actually do:

• Honey can make your skin moist and soft and can help break apart excess sebum.
• Milk can help make your skin moist and is anti-inflammatory, so it will calm down redness a little bit. But with this mask, the primary focus is to make the mask a spreadable consistency.
• Tea tree oil can be both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, which can help acne.
• Gelatin can dry and clean out your pores.

Honey, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg Breakout Prevention Face Mask

You only need 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons, honey. Mix ingredients until smooth. Apply to face and rinse off after 15 minutes. Patch test this recipe before applying to entire face as some skin types react to cinnamon. This main ingredient can be very irritating to the skin. So this would definitely be a mask to patch test before you actually use it. But once you’re sure it won’t upset your skin, it’s okay to try. The nutmeg is going to be slightly exfoliating, which is going to open up the pores. Since pores are two-way streets, it allows the other ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin. While it won’t necessarily clear a breakout that’s already happened, this mask might help prevent future ones.

Here’s what the ingredients actually do:

• Honey can make your skin moist and soft and can help break apart excess sebum.
• Cinnamon has some antibacterial properties, which can help prevent acne.
• Nutmeg can help gently exfoliate.

Banana Hydrating Face Mask

You only need 1 teaspoon butter milk, 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and half a banana, mashed. Mix all ingredients until smooth. Apply to face and rinse off after 15 minutes. This mixture fights blemishes, clears pores, hydrates skin, rejuvenates the skin, fades scars and age spots, and tightens skin. Be careful not to get the lemon juice in your eyes because it could sting. Here’s what the ingredients can do:

• Lemon juice can be slightly antibacterial, and a little exfoliating.
• Honey can make your skin moist and softer and can help break apart excess sebum.
• Buttermilk helps make your skin moist and is anti-inflammatory, so it can calm down redness.
• Bananas have enzymes in them that can help break down bonds between dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. In short, the fruit is mildly exfoliating.
• Greek yogurt can be soothing and hydrating, much like milk.
• Cocoa makes the mask easier to apply.

A note about the lemon juice. Unless you have an open sore, these masks are going to be working at the most superficial levels of the skin. These are not really deep chemical peel kind of treatments where you have stuff that’s ripping its way down well into the dermis and epidermis, and that’s where you’re going to get the sudden mega pH change. When you do use citrus on your face, you should make sure it’s completely washed off before you go in the sun, so you don’t get a chemical burn, and don’t get it in your eyes.

Coffee Grounds and Essential Oil Face Mask

All you need are 1 teaspoon coffee grounds, 2 teaspoons coconut oil, and 5 drops geranium essential oil. Mix ingredients until smooth. Apply to face and rinse off after 15 minutes. Coffee wakes up your skin, and geranium oil brightens your skin and lightens dark spots. In reality, caffeine does have some positive effects. It can be absorbed to some extent through the skin so you may have a little bit of an effect on some of the skin cells, and even on some of the most superficial blood vessels. That gives you a little bit of a vessel tightening and constricting effect, which is going to diminish any slight swelling or puffiness under the eyes. Remember that this is a mask, even though it looks a little like a scrub, so don’t rub or scrub this on your skin. You can actually add a little more coconut oil or honey to make it a more mask-like consistency and to give your skin the benefits of those ingredients as well.

• Geranium facial oil can brighten your skin, and make it softer.
• Coconut oil can be slightly antiseptic and will help moisturize your skin.
• Coffee grounds could slightly reduce swelling or puffiness.

There are so many skin care products on the market that it can be hard to know which one to buy. These products range from the popular brands to organic face creams and facial cleansers with multi-vitamins. But you need to realize that it has been proven repeatedly that most (if not all) commercial skin care products are made from chemicals while natural skin care products contain, well, mostly natural ingredients.

Many Commercial Skin Care Products Have Allergens

Many popular skin care products contain allergens that can cause problems for those who have sensitive skin or non-Caucasian skin. Alcohol based products, parabens, fragrances, and other non-natural ingredients are known to cause skin problems and allergic reactions. Furthermore, these substances get inside the body through the skin and some of them are medically proven to be harmful to a person’s long-term health.

Choose Natural Products

It is usually best to choose all-natural skin care products instead of commercial ones. Even so, some natural products are better than others. It is still important to read the ingredient list on the product label carefully. Note that the ingredients are listed according to quantity, and so, an ingredient near the top of the list will be found in abundance while an ingredient listed near the bottom will be just a fraction in the product in question. A person who needs facial wipes, cream or a moisturizer for sensitive skin will want to choose products that have as few ingredients as possible. Even so, it is a wise idea to try the product out on a small, not highly visible patch of skin before using it on the face.

Finding the Best Natural Product for Your Skin Type

Those who are looking for high-quality natural skin care products should also take the time to read the product reviews first. There are both professional reviews and customer reviews online, but customer reviews are usually the best source of unbiased information about any type of product. Most good products do not even get 100% positive reviews but they should have a high overall review rating. Natural skin care products are usually better than their commercially made counterparts. All natural ingredients do not harm the body or cause negative reactions such as allergies or overly dry skin. If you are still in doubt about buying all natural skincare products, you can also make your own skincare products using natural ingredients that you yourself can mix. You could say this will be your DIY beauty product project.

And the Best Reason of All Is the Cost

The cost of commercial products is often high because the manufacturing costs and creation of the ingredients already carry a high cost because of the synthetic materials and chemicals used. Naturally, the popular brand puts in a huge amount of time and effort that they deserve to be rewarded for. Plus of course, they will have many business overheads and expenses to pay such as marketing. If you choose to make your own products you don’t have to pay for all these business expenses. All you need to pay for are the ingredients you use and something to package the product in for your use unless you make your products every time you apply them. Making your own products is therefore much more cost effective. A high-quality popular face cream brand that retails for $30 or $40 can easily be made for just $5-$10. Most branded skin care products typically contain 60-70% water so this is one of the reasons they can be inexpensive to make.

Citrus Mask

The only ingredients you need are:

• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tsp sour cream (not fat-free)

First, beat the egg white in a glass bowl until it is fluffy. Then mix the sour cream with the grapefruit and lemon juice together. Add the mixture to the egg white then apply it to a clean face. Leave the concoction for 15 minutes and then rinse off and dry your face. This natural facial mixture works because lemon and grapefruit are rich in citric acid (AHA) that a natural exfoliates and also contains powerful antioxidants. They both promote a smoother, brighter looking skin. This mask is also ideal for oily skin.

Tomato Exfoliate

The only ingredients you need are:

• 1 pc. organic tomato
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp honey 

First, cut up and then squeeze the tomato in a glass bowl and then mix in the brown sugar and honey. Gently massage the mixture on your face and leave on for 5 minutes. Rinse and dry your face. This natural facial mixture works because the lycopene in tomato is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, while brown sugar is great for exfoliating.

Cinnamon Cleanser

The only ingredients you need are:

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp powder milk
• 1 Tbsp freshly brewed chamomile tea
• ¼ tsp organic honey

First, mix the ingredients in a glass bowl to make a soft paste. Gently massage the paste onto wet skin. Leave it on for 2 to 3 minutes and then rinse and dry your face. This natural facial mixture works because the combination of milk with lactic acid for exfoliating with chamomile for soothing, and the cinnamon that stimulates the skin.

DIY All-Natural Clarifying and Toning Foaming Face Wash

You will need:

• 1 cup filtered or previously boiled water.
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap, an all-natural, extremely concentrated soap made from 100% plant oils.
• 5 teaspoons jojoba oil or another facial oil of choice.
• 2 tablespoons raw honey, a wonderful antibacterial that helps to gently eliminate any facial bacteria responsible for breakouts, and also helps calm the skin. This gives the wash its honey color.
• 1 teaspoon tea tree oil, another great, all-natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal that will not only keep acne-causing bacteria in check but also help preserve the wash.
• 15 drops lavender essential oil, great for all skin types as it helps calm inflammation and eliminates bacteria.
• 10 drops rosemary essential oil, another great, all-natural antibacterial.

This combination of ingredients works well for most skin types, but the combination can be adjusted depending on your skin type and color. For example, if you have drier skin, you may need less Castile and more water or more oil. Everybody is different and DIYs can sometimes be a game of trial and error. Luckily, once you have a base such as this one, you can easily add ingredients if necessary for your skin type.

First, add the ingredients in the order listed; take note that if you add the soap before the water, it will become a sudsy explosion. Stir the mixture gently, mixing everything together. The castile soap and honey will cause the mixture to look cloudy. Put the mixture into your foaming soap dispenser and your face wash is complete and ready to use. 1 or 2 pumps is all you need as the castile soap is very concentrated. Use once or twice daily, probably either in the morning or before you go to bed, or both. Discard the contents after a month or if you notice any unfavorable changes. The mixture will separate, so give it a little shake before each use.

Better Than Botox Facial Scrub

You will need:

• 1 tablespoon baking soda.
• ½ tablespoon raw Manuka honey; this type of honey has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties for the skin.
• 1 drop of pure lavender essential oil.
• 1 drop pure frankincense essential oil.

Combine the baking soda and honey together until it looks like a paste. Add one drop each of lavender and frankincense essential oils. Then, place a warm washcloth over your face and hold on the skin for a minute or so to open up your pores. Now, gently rub your face with the facial scrub using small circular motions, making sure to be gentle and not rub in the scrub vigorously on your skin. Keep massaging skin with scrub for 3-5 minutes to fully remove dead skin from the face and to let the essential oils work their magic. Rinse off with warm water. Your face may be red for a bit but this will soon wear off. This is the skin’s natural reaction to the ingredients. Use this scrub no more than once or twice a week. This scrub is high in alkaline to the skin, so to even out your pH balance it is a good idea to splash your face with rose water afterward. This will naturally balance out your skin. As an additional Botox hint, glowing skin originates from inside the body so in addition to this scrub for healthy, firm skin, add some high-quality collagen to your diet. Collagen protein is too large to be absorbed by the skin so those anti-aging lotions and potions are selling you false advertising. To truly get the benefits of collagen you must take it internally.

Nourishing Homemade Body Wash

While this recipe is extremely gentle and luxurious, it must be used very quickly due to the coconut milk. This is a fun DIY to make and freeze, and pull out in small batches to use in the moment. You will only need these ingredients:

• 1/2 cup full-fat unsweetened canned coconut milk.
• 2/3 cup castile soap, preferably lavender or the baby mild.
• 3tsp vitamin E oil.
• 5 drops lavender essential oil.
• 2tsp vegetable glycerin  

All you need to do is to combine all ingredients in a bottle. Shake and then use on a washcloth. This body wash has a very short lifespan since it lacks preservatives since it contains coconut milk, so it’s best to keep this body wash in the fridge and use it within a week. If you don’t think you’ll use this body wash quickly, reduce the recipe, or freeze the extra in an ice cube tray to defrost in small batches. The glycerin may be left out if you don’t have any on hand. As an alternative for glycerin, you can use a nourishing oil, like jojoba, almond, or olive oil.

DIY Coffee Body Scrub

You will only need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut oil
• ½ cup sugar
• 1/3 cup fresh coffee grounds
• 2­ to 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4­ to 5 4 oz. jelly jars

In a medium size bowl, combine the coconut oil, sugar, coffee grounds, olive oil, and then mix very well. Add the scrub to your 4 oz. jelly jars for storage purposes. This mixture can make 4­ to 5 4 oz. Jelly jars. The recipe can also be made smaller or larger depending on how much you need for a few days or up to a week. Do not use beyond a week due to the presence of coconut oil and the absence of preservatives.

Lavender and Oatmeal Tea Scrub

You will need:

• 2 cups Epsom salts
• 2 heaping tablespoons dried lavender
• 15-20 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1 cup powdered milk
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon

First, mix the Epsom salts, dried lavender, and essential oils in a large bowl and then add in the powdered milk. Grid the oats in a food processor or blender to get a coarse powder before adding it to the bowl as well. Mix well and you are ready to use your facial or body scrub.

Use the spoon to scoop the bath mix into a basin of warm (not hot) water. Use 2-3 heaping tablespoons of bath mix for each facial or body scrub. Simply soak a washcloth in the water with the mixture and gently wipe down your face and body, concentrating on the sensitive parts.

Every sunrise when you wake and look at your tired, puffy eyes in the mirror, you may feel sad. Is it a good way to start your day? Absolutely no, so if the puffy eyes are dragging your spirit down, you can banish them with these useful easy to prepare facial masks.

Causes

As you age your eye tissues, including some of the muscles supporting your eyelids, weaken. The natural fat that helps support your eyes moves into your lower eyelids causing the lids to appear puffy. Fluid also gets accumulated in the space below your eyes adding to the swelling.

Bags under eyes may include mild swelling, saggy or loose skin and dark circles. They are usually harmless, and they don’t need any medical care. But you may not like the look of it. The usual causes for puffiness of eyes include

• Poor sleep
• Allergies or dermatitis mainly if redness and itching accompany your puffiness.
• Heredity
• Fluid retention due to changes in the weather, eating salty foods or hormone levels.
• Stress
• Crying for longer periods of time

Lymph Fluid

To be healthy, waters within your body that are the lymph fluid must be flowing continuously like rivers, inside your lymph vessels. The continuous water movement optimizes the renewal of the lymph fluid.

Moving lymph prevents body decay and fluid stagnancy. It enhances the better metabolic exchange of liquids between cells and capillaries. It cleanses, nourishes and protects your body’s cells. As a result, you will enjoy vibrant health and beauty.

Puffy Eyes and Edema

If the rivers within you-the lymph fluids are not continuously moving, then it leads to edema. Your puffy and baggy eyes may be the first clue. Edema slows down the metabolic exchange of liquids. Slowly but consistently the toxins are retained in your tissues, and the lymph rich protein content begins to harden.

Hardening of the tissue or fibrosis can occur six months after edema starts. Fibrotic tissues get advanced to tissue calcification. Calcified tissues do not have circulation. So, it becomes essential to prevent those puffy eyes. Puffy eyes indicate fluid stagnation in the body and future problems.

General tips to reduce puffiness of eyes:

• Breathe slowly and deeply for at least 10 minutes a day
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Reduce salt intake
• Drink plenty of water
• Get enough sleep
• Sleep with few pillows under your head to prevent fluid setting around your eyes
• Get treated for your allergies
• Eat more potassium

Under-Eye Masks

Essential Oils Under-Eye Mask

You will need:

• Half ounce Rosehip seed oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• ½ ounce pure aloe vera gel
• 4 drops lemon essential oil

Directions:

In a glass spray bottle combine all the above-said ingredients. Before going to bed, cleanse your face and remove all the makeup. Close your eyes and spray the solution onto your face. Gently massage the solution around and under your eyes. Allow it to dry. Sleep with your head supported by pillows.

Benefits:

Lemon oil is rich in antioxidants and relieves stress.

Lavender oil has a soothing and calming effect on the nerves and skin under your eyes.

Rosehip oil protects your skin and increases cell turnover. It is rich in vitamins C, D and E and beta carotene. Rosehip oil is rich in essential fatty acids which convert to prostaglandins and are involved in cellular membrane and tissue regeneration.

Cucumber Milk Face Mask

You’ll need:

• One small cucumber
• One tablespoon milk

Directions:

Blend the cucumber and the milk in a blender to form a thick paste. For extra puffy eye relief chill the mask in the fridge for about 15 minutes.  Apply the mask onto your face, taking care to give a gentle massage under your eyes. Just take rest for 30 minutes and wash off the mask with lukewarm water.

Benefits:

Cucumbers contain antioxidants and flavonoids that help to reduce redness, swelling and irritation. A combination of caffeic acid and vitamin C helps soothe your skin and reduce puffiness.

Milk produces a cooling effect to your eyes which reduce stress levels. The lauric acid and nutrients present in milk calm your swollen eyes. The astringent properties reduce puffiness and brighten skin. Milk reduces the water retention around the eyes.

Potato and Egg White Face Mask

You will need:

• One small potato
• One egg white

Method:

Separate the egg white from the yolk. Clean and peel the potato. Blend the potato and egg white to a thick paste in the blender. Place the potato poultice in layers of cheesecloth and keep it over your eyes. Leave it for 20-30 minutes, remove the cheesecloth from your eyes and wash with lukewarm water.

Benefits:

The catecholase present in potatoes reduces water retention under your eyes. The combination of coldness and starch of potatoes develop an anti-inflammatory effect that helps to reduce the swelling. The astringent properties of potatoes tighten your skin. The antioxidant and nutrients present in it keep your skin smooth.

Egg whites enhance blood circulation which in turn minimizes the puffiness under your eyes. It has astringent properties which tighten the pores of your undereye skin.

Green Tea and Aloe Gel Face Mask

You need:

• ½ cup green tea
• ½ cup aloe vera gel

Directions:

Boil ½ cup water and let the green tea steep in the water for 10 minutes. Mix the aloe gel and the green tea to the consistency of a paste. Give a gentle massage while using on the under-eye area. Store the remaining mixture in a container and refrigerate for up to three days.

Benefits:

Green tea reduces swelling and tightens the skin around your eyes. It contains caffeine that constricts tiny blood vessels, around your eyes. Caffeinated tea contains tannins that stimulate blood circulation. The astringent nature of the tannins constricts the blood vessels and capillaries under your eyes.

Aloe gel contains 18 essential amino acids and has several antifungals, antibacterial, and other healing properties. The antioxidants present in aloe reduces the puffiness around your eyes. Aloe vera moistures and hydrates the delicate skin under your eyes. Because of its humectant properties, aloe makes your skin soft and supple. It fights free radicals ad flushes out accumulated toxins around your eyes.

Ground Coffee Face Mask

You will need:

• ½ tsp ground coffee beans
• One teaspoon coconut oil
• A pinch of black pepper powder
• Cotton or face wipe

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients and carefully apply under your eyes. Be extra careful not to get any of the ingredients into your eyes. Leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes. Gently wipe away with wet cotton or face wipe.

Benefits:

Coffee beans tighten the skin under your eyes because of the presence of caffeine that possesses anti-inflammatory properties. The Caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor which deflates blood vessels and reduces swelling, redness, and puffiness.

The coffee bean is also a diuretic which draws water from your skin to shrink cell size for a tightened appearance. The antioxidants present in coffee fights free radicals and tightens skin by reducing fine lines and bagginess.

The black pepper powder enhances blood circulation and makes your under eyes cells healthier.

Coconut Oil and Carrot Face Mask

You will need:

• Two tsp Extra virgin coconut oil
• 1 carrot

Directions:

Roughly chop the carrots into five chunks. Boil the carrot for 5 minutes and put it in a food processor or blender, Blend the carrot and coconut oil to form a thick paste.  Apply the mixture to your under-eye area gently with circular motions. Leave the mask for ten to 15 minutes and wash it off in lukewarm water. Repeat this once a day.

Benefits:

Coconut oil moisturizes the skin around your eyes and prevents dryness and wrinkling. The vitamin E and antioxidants heal and repair the damaged skin cells. Lauric acid and other components present in coconut oil possess anti-inflammatory properties, so it reduces redness and swelling. The lauric acid in coconut oil tightens pores to make your skin smooth and firm.

Carrots are full of beta-carotene and iron. They provide nourishment to your delicate under-eye skin and strengthens the eye muscles thus preventing puffiness. Carrots help to tone and clarify your skin.

Strawberries Rosewater Face Mask

You need:

• Three tsp homemade rose water
• 2-3 strawberries

Directions:

Simmer a handful of rose petals in just enough distilled water. When the petals have lost their color, strain the liquid and allow it to cool. Pour into a jar or bottle.

Add strawberries and rosewater to the blender. Blend to make a fine paste. Keep it in the fridge for 15 minutes. Apply the mask onto your face. Leave it for 30 minutes and wash in fresh water.

Benefits:

Rosewater contains vitamins C and A as well as flavonoids. It is a natural astringent with anti-inflammatory properties. Rosewater is incredibly refreshing and rejuvenating. It keeps fine lines and wrinkles at bay.

Strawberries are rich in polysaccharides that have anti-inflammatory properties. The alpha hydroxy acids in these berries reduce swelling and dark circles while smoothening out your skin. Strawberries contain antioxidants that make your skin looks years younger and beautiful.

Banana and Lemon Juice Face Mask

You’ll need:

• 1 banana
• One tsp lemon juice

Directions:

Mash the banana. Squeeze the lemon juice. Mix the mashed banana and lemon juice to make a fine paste. Apply to your face and give a gentle massage to your eye bags. Let it sit for 15 minutes and wipe off the mask with warm wash cloth.

Benefits:

Bananas contain many beneficial vitamins including vitamin C, manganese, biotin, potassium and copper. Bananas are high in potassium, which is excellent for your lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system is what helps skin clear itself, and it provides nutrients to every cell in the body. The puffy eye is a clue that your lymphatic fluid is getting sluggish. Applying banana face pack boosts your lymphatic health and thus reduces puffiness of eyes.

Lemon juice: vitamin C from lemon juice helps to remove all the toxins that cause puffy eyes. Lemon juice contains skin lightening properties that reduce dark circles. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce puffiness.

Turmeric and Oatmeal Face Mask

You need:

• One tablespoon oatmeal
• ½ tsp turmeric
• Two tablespoon pineapple juice

Directions:

Blend the oatmeal, turmeric and pineapple juice in a blender to a fine paste. Apply the paste to your eye area gently. Leave the paste to dry for 20 minutes. Remove with a soft damp cloth. Massage your undereye area with a moisturizer after this treatment.

Benefits:

Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory chemicals and antioxidants. This spice banishes dark circles and hydrates the delicate skin under your eyes.

Oatmeal detoxifies and firms your skin. It has a very drying effect on the skin and will draw out puffiness.

Pineapple juice is a storehouse of vitamin C, antioxidants and bromelain. These nutrients are extremely useful in treating fine lines, acne, the sun damaged and uneven skin tone. Bromelain softens your skin and fights skin inflammation and puffiness.

Witch Hazel and French Clay Mask

You need:

• One tablespoon French green clay
• Two teaspoon witch hazel extract
• One tablespoon aloe vera

Directions:

Mix the green clay, witch hazel extract, and aloe vera to form a thick paste. Dab it onto your face and gently apply it under your eyes with a slight massage. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash your face in the lukewarm water. This face pack is good for oily skin.

Benefits:

The clay is rich in silica, calcium, iron, and magnesium. It absorbs excess fluid from your face.  Witch hazel has astringent properties that cause constriction of body tissues. It removes excess moisture from your skin and shrinks down pores. Aloe vera is an excellent moisturizer. It rejuvenates your skin and has antimicrobial properties.

Conclusion

Though puffiness of eyes is harmless, you should be careful if the swelling is severe and persistent, affects other parts of your body such as the legs and is accompanied by redness, itching or pain. In this case, it’s better to see your doctor.

A quick way to reduce puffiness of your eyes is to use a cool compress. Dip a washcloth in water, and place it over your eyes for 1o minutes. If you’re not a fan of cold water try putting a spoon in the refrigerator, take it out in the morning and place it over your eyes. It is as effective as cold water.

You can also try the face masks we’ve discussed above; these masks not only reduce your eye bags but also enhances your facial beauty.

A pimple-speckled skin can be an insult to your beauty. If you suffer from stubborn pimples, take heart,here are seven skin care hacks and useful tips that help to cure your stubborn pimples. If you follow these hacks religiously, you’ll enjoy a glowing and beautiful skin.

Self-Help Pimple Treatments

Diet and Sleep. New York University researchers have reported that a diet high in dairy products and high glycemic foods can increase the risk of acne. Eliminating sugar, drinking lots of water and including Omega-3 foods in your diet will help prevent acne breakout.

Be sure to get your beauty rest because stress is one of the biggest causes of acne. Getting plenty of rest reduces acne-associated stress.

Avoid Popping the Pimple. Popping the pimples increases the risk of scarring. If you pop a pimple, you increase the danger of pushing the infection further down causing swelling, redness and more severe blockage.

Wash Your Face. Wash your face twice daily. Use a mild soap and warm water and gently wash your face. Avoid scrubbing your skin. Use over the counter lotions which contains benzoyl peroxide.

Avoid Touching Your Face. Refrain from touching your face with your hands. If you’re talking over the telephone, do not let the receiver touch the skin of your face because it may contain skin residue or sebum on it.

Practice Good Hand Hygiene. Wash your hands regularly with soap and if possible try to keep your nails short.

Glasses. Your glasses may contain sebum and skin residue, so clean them regularly.

Wear Loose Fitting Clothes. Allow your skin to breathe. If you suffer from pimples on your back, shoulders or chest wear loose clothing. If possible avoid wearing headbands, caps, and scarves. In case you have to wear them wash them on a regular basis.

Hair and Makeup. Keep your hair clean and try to get your hair away from your face because sebum and skin cells collect in your hair. Remove all your makeup before you sleep. Use makeup that is non-comedogenic (won’t clog skin pores) or non-acnegenic (won’t cause pimples or acne). You can find these details on the label of the product.

It’s best to buy a facial cosmetic that says “oil-free.” An oil-free makeup won’t cause clogged pores and pimples.

Sun Exposure. If you are overexposed to sunlight, it might lead to the production of more sebum. Certain medications used by people with acne make the skin more prone to sunburn.

Shaving Your Face. While you shave your face make sure that the blade is sharp or use an electric shaver. Soften your skin with warm soapy water before applying the shaving cream

Over the Counter Treatments. Go in for over the counter products that contain the following active ingredients Resorcinol, Benzoyl Peroxide, Sulfur, Salicylic Acid, Retin-A and Azelaic acid. They may be available in the form of gels, pads, creams, soaps, and lotions. It is advisable to start with the lowest strengths.

When you first use these medications you make experience redness, skin irritation, and burning. But after continued use, these side effects will go away. If you have sensitive skin, you can uselotions or creams. Gels work well for people with oily skin.

Skin Care Hacks

Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil is one of the most recommended remedies for acne. The natural antimicrobial properties make it an excellent alternative to the harsh synthetic chemicals and kill acne-causing bacteria. Tea tree oil contains terpinene-4-ol that’s responsible for its microbial activity.

When you apply it to the skin, it destroys the skin-dwelling bacteria that causes acne. Tea tree oil deeply penetrates into the skin to unblock the sebaceous glands. It disinfects the pores, dries out whiteheads, zits, pimples, blackheads and prevents further breakouts.

Tea tree oil balances your skin by controlling oil production. You can use it as an antiseptic that removes damaged skin cells.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil:

• Apply a few drops of tea tree oil to the affected area using a cotton ball. Keep it for 3-4 hours or overnight. Repeat regularly for best results.
• Diluted tea tree oil. Add one part of tea tree oil to nine parts of water. Apply to the affected area using a cotton ball. Leave for 20-25 minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat dry. Use a moisturizer that doesn’t clog the pores. Repeat 2 times a day. You can also use this method as a face rinse. It is useful for treating cystic acne. If you have sensitive skin, you can dilute the tea tree oil with aloe vera gel.

Lemon Juice. Lemon juice contains citric acid; it acts as an antiseptic since bacteria has a difficult time adjusting to acidic environments. This lemon juice significantly reduces the number of bacteria that live on the top of your skin.

Lemon contains antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. The phytoncides and vitamin P present in lemon juice prevent the growth of bacteria. The L-ascorbic acid present in lemon juice contains astringent properties that constrict and shrink the skin pores and dries out the acne lesions.

The citric acid acts as a chemical exfoliate. It removes the dead cells and oil that clog the pores resulting in infection. Lemon is rich in vitamin C.Vitamin C fights against free radicals causing breakouts. Lemon juice balances the skin’s pH levels and reduces redness and inflammation caused by acne.

How to Use Lemon Juice:

• Wash your face with soap and water. Apply some freshly squeezed lemon juice to your affected areas using a cotton ball. Leave it overnight. First thing in the morning,rinse your face with cold water. For best results follow this procedure daily before going to bed. If you have sensitive skin, just dilute lemon juice with water. Lemon juice dries out your skin so apply moisturizer after each application.
• Lemon juice with yogurt. Mix two parts of fresh lemon juice with one part of yogurt. Wash your face and dab the mixture onto the affected area using a cotton ball. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel. Repeat regularly to get the desired results. Yogurt absorbs excess oil present in the skin pores. It moistens the skin and has a soothing effect on inflammation.

Aloe Vera Gel. Aloe vera gel contains Auxin and Gibberellins. These hormones help in wound healing and have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation. The Gibberellin acts as growth hormone and boosts the production of new cells. It helps the skin to heal quickly and naturally with minimal scarring.

Aloe contains glucomannan (a mannose-rich polysaccharide) which improves collagen synthesis. Aloe vera absorbs excess oil from your skin and thus prevents clogging of pores. It contains zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E and these antioxidants enhance the beauty of your skin.

As an astringent aloe contracts, the skin pores thus rendering them clean from any deposited sebum, dead skin cells or dirt.

The magnesium lactate present in aloe will alleviate the itching associated with acne conditions. The Anthraquinone present in aloe helps provide essential nutrients to the skin cells to boost its development. Your skin will look flawless and radiant if you apply aloe gel on a daily basis.

How to Use Aloe Vera:

• Mix one egg whipped, one teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and two tablespoons of aloe vera pulp. Apply this as a face mask. Leave it for 15-20 minutes. Wash your face with water after it dries completely. Continue using this mixture regularly. Lemon and egg white can dry your skin so apply a gentle moisturizer after washing your face.
• Aloe vera with walnuts. Blend 4-5 walnuts into a fine powder. Mix it with aloe gel and ½ teaspoon of honey. Apply it on the affected area. Leave it for 10-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Repeat the process 2-3 times a week.

Turmeric. The curcumin present in turmeric is non-toxic and can be used to treat skin disorders such as acne, rashes, and warts. It has chemoprotective properties and can be used to prevent cancers of the skin.

Research studies have shown that curcumin possesses antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer properties. Studies say that curcumin reduces wound healing time when taken internally or applied topically.

In conditions such as acne, inflammation and oxidative stress prevent tissue remodeling.Curcumin improves collagen deposition, increase the number of collagen-producing cells and enhance the density of the vascular structure of the skin and thus promotes wound healing. The antiseptic properties of turmeric remove the deposition of bacterial infection in the skin pores.

How to Use Turmeric:

• Turmeric with olive oil and black pepper. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, a pinch of black pepper and a teaspoon of olive oil. Consume on a daily basis and drink water to ease ingestion into your body.
• Turmeric with mint, nutmeg, and basil. Mix ½ teaspoon each of turmeric powder, nutmeg, mint juice and basil juice to make a paste. Apply the paste on the affected areas. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse with water. Repeat daily.

Neem. Neem is an excellent antioxidant; it has twice the antioxidant properties of broccoli and blueberries. It has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, so it strengthens your immune system and protects against acne-causing bacteria.

Neem contains quercetin a bioflavonoid that helps to fade the scars and keeps your skin soft and smooth. Salicylic acid, an anti-bacterial agent which is usually present in many commercial acne products is also present in neem. It reduces inflammation, redness, swelling, and tenderness caused by breakouts.

Neem has excellent moisturizing properties. It contains carotenoids, fatty acids, vitamin E and ascorbic acid which provides your skin a healthy glow. Neem balances oil production and prevents excess oil from clogging your pores. Best of all it is a non-abrasive exfoliate which draws toxins from the skin. It tightens the pores to prevent bacterial infections that cause acne.

How to Use Neem:

• Neem water. You can use neem water as a skin toner. Regular use will help in clearing your acne scars, blackheads and pigmentation. Boil about 20 neem leaves or add two neem leaf capsules in two cups of water till the water turns green and the leaves are discolored. Strain and store in a bottle and keep in the fridge. Dip a cotton ball and wipe your face.Pour some neem water in a spray bottle. Spritz with neem after washing skin. Repeat twice daily. You can buy neem leaf capsules from Amazon.
• Neem with cucumber. Blend cucumber until smooth and mix with one tsp Neem oil. Gently massage the paste and let it dry. Rinse with water and pat dry. Repeat three times weekly.

Peppermint. Peppermint oil acts a cleaner and decongestant for your skin. The peppermint oil cools the skin, reduces testosterone 5-ALPHA reductase production and inhibits bacterial growth. Peppermint oil contains methanol, and its cooling property reduces acne inflammation.

Peppermint reduces testosterone 5-ALPHA reductase production and so excess oil or sebum production decreases. Since less oil is trapped, this less inviting environment reduces the excess growth of Propionibacterium acnes.

How to Use Peppermint:

• You can apply a few drops of peppermint oil directly to the affected skin two to four times daily. Always spot test the oil on the inside of your arm. You can use the recommended amount if your skin reacts positively. Never apply peppermint oil products near the eyes.
• Add equal parts of vitamin E and jojoba oil to a few drops of peppermint oil. Apply your treatment directly onto a pimple until you see the desired results.

Baking Soda. Baking soda has excellent exfoliating properties. It dries out the skin by removing trapped dead skin cells and oil in the pores. Baking soda balances your skin’s pH levels and prevents clumping of bacteria.

It encourages the growth of collagen to fill in the indented acne scars. This process helps in shedding the skin and stimulates new skin growth. Baking soda aids to gently scrape the scar tissue layer by layer. It cleans the pores and prevents further acne breakouts. It peels off the outer layer of your skin and promotes the regeneration of younger layer of new skin cells.

How to Use Baking Soda:

• Mix½ teaspoon of baking soda and olive oil into a paste. Gently apply it on the scars and massage it for 5-7 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water. Follow this process regularly to see stunning results.
• Baking soda with orange juice. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of orange juice. Apply onto your pimples.Gently rub in circular motions for 1-2 minutes. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Wash it off with clean water and use a moisturizer. Repeat the process regularly to get rid of your stubborn pimple.

Conclusion

A balanced diet enhances your skin health. Include flaxseed, fish, green tea, oysters, fruits, veggies and probiotics in your diet. Exercise regularly, have a good night’s sleep and practice meditation.

You can try all the acne-fighting hacks discussed above. Stick to the one that you’re comfortable with and get rid of that stubborn pimple for good.

While cleansing your skin is important, you need to make sure you use the right materials. It’s important to get the right products for your type of skin. The aim isn’t just to cleanse but to nourish and support.

Cleaning your skin is more than just getting rid of the dirt and grime. You want to offer as much support to your pores as possible. It’s important to kill the bacteria and help to balance out the natural oils produced.

If you have oily skin, you want something that will help to remove the excess oils. Those types of cleansers would be damaging to already dry skin, where you need excess oils added into your skin to help get rid of theirritating and flaky skin.

So, with that in mind, here’s a look at your ultimate skin cleanser cheat sheet. This will give you all the information you need to make the best cleansing decisions for your skin type.

When Foaming Cleansers Are Worth the Purchase

One of the most common types of cleansers available now is the foamy cleaners. You push a button, and the cleaner comes out almost like a shaving foam.

These types of cleaners are excellent for oily skin. They help to get deep into the pores to remove all the dirt and bacteria that builds up throughout the day. They are also extremely effective on makeup, regardless of how thick you’ve applied it. There’s little chance of the makeup getting stuck in the pores, meaning bacteria forms while you sleep.

While cleansing the skin, the foamy cleansers leave no residue behind. You’ll barely even notice that you’ve used it. Your skin feels fresh and soft, ready to rejuvenate throughout the night.

There is a major downside to foams, though. They are drying on the skin, which is why they’re excellent for oily skin. They will strip the skin of the oils, especially if they’re left to soak into the skin. If you have already dry skin, you will want to avoid the leathers. If the foams have alcohol in the first four ingredients, they have a higher concentration of the ingredient, further drying out the skin.

If you’re worried about dry skin, even if you have naturally greasy skin, you can consider moisturizing creams. Look for oil-free moisturizing creams. Don’t forget to look for foaming cleansers that have salicylic acid to help fight against acne-causing bacteria effectively.

It’s also important to look at the ingredients used to create the foamy texture. Unfortunately, some of the most popular brands use toxins that will damage the cell structure in your skin. There are various carcinogenic ingredients that will increase your risk of cancer. It’s best to find cleansers that use mostly natural ingredients.

Opt for Cleansing Milks for Dry Skin

If you do have dry skin, you’ll want to avoid too many products. They can become irritating, rather than soothe the dry skin condition. This means you want to find a cleanser that doesn’t just get rid of dirt and grime but also improves some oils in your skin.

This is where cleansing milk products are good. They are still as effective as foaming cleansers when it comes to removing dirt. The problem is they can’t always get into the pores to get rid of waterproof makeup. You’ll need to use a different product first to get rid of that and support your skin.

Milkdoesn’t create a lather on the face. Instead, they are extremely gentle on the skin. This is why they don’t quite get rid of all makeup since they’re designed not to affect the deeper layers too much.

Of course, there is a moisturizing benefit. Milk will help to boost the collagen production and improve the hydration within the skin.

If you have oily skin, you may find the hydration is too much. They leave a residue behind, which can cause some problems for excess oil production.

When you want something for dry skin that removes waterproof makeup effectively, you need to consider cleansing oils. These are gentle and can leave a residue behind, but they get deep into the pores. Oils are good for encouraging particles towards them, pulling them gently out of the pores—whatever the type of particles.

There is no lather in oils. You will need to apply them with a sponge or cotton pad, leaving them on for a while to give them a chance to work.

The oils will help to encourage more oil production within the skin. They moisturize the skin, adding hydration into the deeper layers of the skin. This makes it possible to soften and support dry skin. Irritation and flakiness become a thing of the past. There’s no need to use moisturizing creams afterward, unless you have extremely dry skin that requires it.

If you have oily skin, you’ll want to give oils a miss. They add too many extra oils into the skin, without encouraging your own body to stop producing natural oils. Your skin will look and feel greasy and slimy.

Massage the Skin with Cleansing Balms

Another type of skin cleanser you may come across is something called a cleansing balm. This is another excellent option for those with dry skin. It doesn’t just moisturize and clean the skin, but the balm will help to nourish and soothe dry skin conditions.

Cleansing balms will get right into the pores. All bacteria, dirt, and makeup are removed. The balms are high in emollient oils, moisturizing deep into the layers. It doesn’t matter if your skin doesn’t produce that much oil daily.

The oils are best when massaged into your skin. This helps to boost the amount of blood flow circulating into the skin, boosting the collagen production and improving elasticity. The extra blood flow will also help to settle some dry skin conditions, as the moisture locks into the pores and continues to support the hydration of the skin.

There isn’t a lather produced by balms, but they do leave a residue behind. The oils can be too much for those with naturally oily skin. The residue can also be visible, making your skin look greasy and sticky.

One of the good sides of the balms is that they are gentle. Like many of the rest, they can be good for those with sensitive skin, while cleansing deeply.

Micellar Waters for Those with Sensitive Skin

If your skin is sensitive, you want something that is soft and gentle. While three of the options above are gentle and hydrating for the skin, they can still include toxins and acids that make sensitive skin irritated and itchy.

You want to find something that is cleansing but extremely soft. This is where Micella Water comes into play. This is a cleanser that doesn’t need rinsing off. You just have to let the ingredients get to work on your skin throughout the day. Because it doesn’t need rinsing, it won’t leave a residue behind and doesn’t lather, either.

It’s hydrating on the skin but doesn’t leave too many oils behind. It’s good for those with either oily or dry skin that is sensitive or if you suffer from some skin conditions.

The downside is the fact that it can be too gentle. While it will get rid of dirt, many will struggle with removing makeup—even non-waterproof makeup. The cleanser doesn’t get deep enough or draw out the makeup particles as well as some of the other options above.

Cleansing Wipes for On the Go

What if you need something for traveling or when you’re in an emergency? Well, cleansing wipes are worth having in your bag. But you don’t want to rely on them for everyday use.

Cleansing wipes can be gentle for sensitive skin, but they’re sometimes too gentle. They can also be drying on the skin, drawing out the oils as well as all the dirt and grime. They’re not cleansing and aren’t the most efficient option for removing makeup.

This can depend on the type of wipes you get, though. Some are designed to remove waterproof makeup so that your normal cleaners can get into the pores and get rid of the smaller particles. Others are designed to tone or moisturize your skin, rather than effectively clean it.

Some of the cloths will leave a residue behind. Many are infused with lotions and oils. The benefit is you don’t need to rinse your face afterward. So, if you are traveling and need something a little refreshing or cleansing, then this could be an option.

Don’t use them if you have irritating or itchy skin or some skin conditions. The wipes require some friction and scrubbing to get rid of the dirt and particles. This can irritate your conditions further and make your skin itchier than before.

Watch Out for Soaps

Bars of soap was once the most popular option for cleaning the face. It’s unlikely that you’ll see many brands today only offering soaps because the ingredients used react in the wrong way on the skin.

Soaps are drying to the skin. They strip and disrupt the natural oil production. Even those with oily skin can find their face and body are left irritated and itchy. The skin loses some of its protective barriers due to the high pH levels, meaning that the skin becomes more sensitive and damaged.

They can be effective for cleansing the skin. It is possible to get deep into the pores, but that’s not worth it when your skin is left painful and raw.

If you do use soap, make sure you have a nutritious moisturizing cream or oil afterward. Consider coconut oil to help balance the natural oils again and offer some protection back to the skin.

Think Carefully About Exfoliating Products

There are plenty of exfoliating products on the market. These are a hit and miss regarding effectiveness and efficiency.

You don’t need to exfoliate your skin on a daily basis. In fact, you want to exfoliate only once or twice a week, whatever type of skin you have. In fact, if you have sensitive skin you can skip exfoliating weekly and leave it to something once or twice a month.

Exfoliating removes the dirt and grime from deep within the pores. It will get rid of the bacteria but also gets rid of the oils. You can be left with dry and irritated skin. This is especially the case if you use exfoliating products with microbeads and particles.

If you want to exfoliate, considering making your cleansers. Baking soda or sea salt can be good. They moisturize and nourish the skin while cleansing thoroughly and brightening the skin.

Watch Out for Anti-Acne and Anti-Aging Cleaners

If you want a product that fights against acne and aging, you want to look for moisturizing creams. It’s time to avoid the cleaners.

The downside of these is that they don’t stay on the face long enough. You rinse themoff because they have a chance to effectively work on the cells or get rid of all the bacteria in your skin. All you end up with is dry and irritated skin.

There are plenty of creams and toners you can use instead. Apply them before you go to bed to help give them the chance to soak into your skin. Avoid the cleansers because they just don’t work—and they certainly don’t cleanse!

Look After Your Skin with the Right Productions

Think about the type of products you buy for cleansing your skin. Don’t take too much notice about the marketing ploys on the front of the products. It’s the type of cleanser you want to consider—whether it’s foamy, oil, or a balm.

Each type of material will affect your skin in different ways. Some are perfect for drying out the excess oils, making them irritating for those with already dry skin. Others will add extra oils in, making them bad for those with greasy skin.

Use the guide above, and you will find the perfect skin cleanser for your needs.

The legs are one part of the body often covered. They don’t get much visibility to the sun, so when they do they can end up blotchy and inflamed. And then there are issues with irritation from clothing and other products used daily.

With the summer just around the corner, you’ll want to pull your legs out. It’s time to get them on theshow, but you need them to look bright and pretty. Everyone may know you’ve hidden your legs all winter, but that doesn’t mean you want your legs to look that way.

So, it’s time for skin whitening creams.

The problem with the store-bought options is that they’re full of toxins. They end up making your legs look worse. While there are some natural products available, the best thing to do would be to make your own.

It won’t take long to create your skin whitening creams for prettier legs. Here are 12 options to create right now.

Use Milk Powder with Almond Oil, Honey, and Lemon

The first option to make involves some almond oil, milk powder, honey, and lemon juice. The four ingredients combined will help to nourish and brighten your legs instantly. You will also increase your chances of getting a beautiful tan during the summer months.

I know that lemon juice can be irritating to some with sensitive skin. By mixing it with honey and almond oil, you will dilute some of it. However, your legs may be more sensitive to the sun. Don’t forget to put some sunscreen on before you leave the house.

If you’re allergic to almond oil, use coconut or jojoba oil instead. Both offer some similar benefits.

The oil will get into your legs and moisturize. It’s the carrier for the protein-filled milk powder, which helps to boost collagen production and get rid of some blemishes within the legs. You’ll find that stretch marks on your thighs don’t form as much when the collagen production is supported.

Lemon juice and honey are full of vitamin C. They help to support your skin cells, fighting off oxidative stress and bacteria growth. The lemon juice is full of citric acid, too, which helps to brighten your skin.

You only need to apply the cream for 15 minutes and then wash it off.

Make an Oatmeal, Tomato Juice, and Yogurt Cream

When your skin is full of dark spots from tanning, you’ll want to find ways to minimize them. Dark spots are a sign of sun damage and aging. To brighten them up you want to create cream from yogurt and tomato juice.

The yogurt adds the protein and dairy your collagen needs, while the tomato juice has the brightening acids to get rid of the darker patches. The tomato juice is also full of vitamin C to help reverse some of the cell damage from the sun. Tomato juice isn’t as strong as lemon juice so that it won’t be as irritating to sensitive skin.

Meanwhile, the oatmeal is detoxifying. It will help to draw out the toxins in your skin that can do some cell damage. On top of that, it’s exfoliating. When you get rid of the dead skin cells on the top layers and bring out the newer ones, you’ll have instantly brighter skin.

Leave this cream on for 20 minutes and then rinse off before leaving the house. Don’t forget the sunscreen to avoid further dark spots forming.

Mix Milk, Rice Flour, and Potato

We’ve already looked at how milk powder is good for the skin. You can also get the benefits of fresh milk. In fact, this is somewhat better as the liquid is seeping straight into the skin.

Add some rice flour for an exfoliant, while using some potato for the brightening agent. Potatoes have malic acid which is good for the skin and helps to lighten without doing extra damage in the sun.

You’ll want to create a thick paste with the three ingredients. Apply them like a mask across your legs and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and a soft cloth to get rid of all elements of the rice flour paste.

Mix Lime Juice and Turmeric Together

When you want to get rid of hyper pigmentation and dark spots because of sun damage, you want to turn to lime juice and turmeric. I know it seems weird using an orange spice for brightening the skin, but it is a lightening agent. In fact, it’s so good for lightening that it’s used for natural teeth whitening all the time!

The lime juice works like the lemon juice. It’s full of citric acid to bleach the skin naturally. The vitamin C will help to support and protect the skin cells from the sun damage. You’ll find signs of aging slow down, and you can even break down some of the fat cells that cause cellulite in the thighs.

Mix them together to create a paste and then spread your legs. Rinse off after about 10 minutes and then add some sunscreen before you go outside. Like the lemon juice, the lime juice will make your legs more susceptible to some sun damage without the sunscreen.

Keep It Simple with Lemon Juice and Rosewater

There’s no need to mix a lot of ingredients together. If you want to keep it super simple, stick with just some lemon juice and rosewater. You’ll need about equal amounts of both.

Lemon juice is one of the best lightening agents. It works on the skin and hair, and you can leave it on if you want. I’d suggest you rinse it off before going out in the sun because it can make you more at risk of damage.

If you do have sensitive skin, you’ll want to use more rosewater than lemon juice. This helps to dilute the acid further. If you have acne or scars, diluted lemon juice can be applied directly to them to help clean out the bacteria and minimize the scarring.

Use a cotton ball for direct, clean application of the diluted lemon juice on your skin. Use it before you go to sleep. At night, the skin will go through a recovery cycle, so the lightening and tone enhancement acts quickly and more efficiently. You’ll boost the blood circulation and open the pores for clearer skin, as well as brighter.

Make a Mask with Honey and Papaya

It’s time to get tropical. Papaya is a powerful lightening agent thanks to its natural alpha hydroxy acids. The acids help to support the collagen production and reduce the number of acne-causing bacteria growing in the pores. You’ll get rid of impurities, meaning your skin looks brighter and free from all acne.

And of course, the honey is antibacterial, which offers further acne clearing benefits. It’s full of vitamin C, too. You’ll get cell regeneration benefits, which means brighter and healthier skin.

You only need half a cup of fresh papaya and a teaspoon of honey to make this work. Just create a paste and use it as a mask across your legs. You can leave it there for 20 minutes, before rinsing off with some warm water. Make sure you finish with some cold water to close the pores and use moisturizing cream and sunscreen to protect your legs.

Thisis best done on a night. The papaya can lead to some sun sensitivity if used straight away.

This is perfect for both oily and normal skin. Do watch out as some people are allergic to papaya. It’s the papain in it that creates some irritation and reactions. If you are allergic, you’ll need to replace the papaya.

Pop Some Orange Peels in Yogurt

What about an exfoliating paste with yogurt and orange peels? You want dried orange peels. Just pop them out in the sun for a couple of days and let nature take its course. You can also use a dehydrator or the grill if the sun isn’t out.

Orange is full of citric acid, which helps to bleach the skin. It has a lower concentration than lemons, meaningless sun sensitivity after use. It can also be less irritating to sensitive skin compared to lemons. Vitamin C in the orange will help to support cell growth and repair pigmentation issues from sun damage and aging.

Meanwhile, the yogurt helps to support the collagen growth. It’s full of natural proteins that will improve the look of skin tissue and encourage the growth of healthy skin cells, making your legs look brighter.

When together the orange peels work as an exfoliating ingredient. The dead skin cells are removed, so the healthier, brighter ones shine through at the top.

Leave the paste on your legs for about 15 minutes, allowing the skin to soak in all the natural ingredients. You can then rinse off with some warm water and add moisturizing cream or coconut oil to help hydrate and brighten the legs.

It’s perfect for all skin types. The yogurt is hydrating, supporting the health of the dry skin.

Add Some Gram Flour to Rosewater

Another simple option involves rosewater again. I didn’t touch on the benefits of this with the lemon juice, but rosewater is used to moisturize the skin. It revitalizes the cells, making them brighter and healthier. Of course, well-hydrated skin is also more flexible, reducing the signs of aging and skin damage!

As for the gram flour, it has antimicrobial properties. In other words, it will protect the skin from infections and help to brighten and support the skin health.

If you want, you can use yogurt instead of rosewater. This will help to add the probiotics to kill off bad bacteria and reduce acne.

You only need two tablespoons of flour and two teaspoons of water. Mix them together to create a paste and apply directly to your skin. It will help to balance the natural oils in the oily skin but moisturize and support more oil production in the dry skin!

Leave for about 30 minutes and then rinse with warm water. You can use warm rosewater if you’d like. It only needs to be used two or three times a week.

Make a Sandalwood Powder

It’s time to create your sandalwood. You’ll use some almond powder and milk for this, but it’s the sandalwood that helps the most. This herb is full of brightening properties. It gets into the skin to block the tyrosinase activity, which means your melanin production is reduced. Melanin is somewhat useful as it helps to prevent the skin from sun damage, but it can also prevent vitamin D from absorbing into the skin and makes the skin darker and duller.

The milk and almond powder add extra nutrients to cleanse the skin. The healthier cells shine through, so your legs look better than ever before.

Just apply a tablespoon of both sandalwood and almond powder and enough milk to create a smooth pasty-like cream. Apply to your legs and leave for 20 minutes, before rinsing with warm water. Your legs may feel a little dry after this, so do apply some moisturizing cream.

Some people can have a sensitivity to sandalwood. Make sure you test it on your skin if you’ve never used it before. Your forearm or behind the knee are usually the best places to test for a reaction. If you have no reaction from it after 24 hours, you’re good to use the cream!

Use Pumpkin for a Brightening Mask

How about pumpkin? No, I don’t want you to carve one. I want you to use pumpkin in a mask on your legs.

Pumpkins are one of the healthiest fall vegetables out there. They’re full of acids and antioxidants that instantly help to support the health of your skin. You’ll get plenty of vitamins A and C to support the health of the cells, reducing the signs of aging like dark spots. Pumpkins are also hydrating to support the elasticity of the skin while brightening the skin through the exfoliating acids.

This mask also uses milk and honey, which we’ve already established are excellent for the skin health and brightness.

Just had two teaspoons of pumpkin puree to half a teaspoon of both milk and honey. You can use a pumpkin and chop it into pieces and boil before blending to create your puree, or you can buy a can of it. It’s up to you, but I recommend making it all from scratch to avoid any potentially added ingredients.

Apply for 20 minutes before you go to bed and rinse with some warm water. It’s a mild formula, so suitable for the face as well as the legs.

If you want to skip the milk, use aloe vera gel instead.This is hydrating and full of other health benefits for the skin!

Create a Scent-Filled Citrus Mask

I’ve already looked at the lemon juice, orange juice, and tomato juice for brightening the skin, but there’s another popular acidic fruit I’ve overlooked: grapefruit. This works just like the others, brightening the skin by naturally bleaching it. You can also tighten the pores with it. Like lemon juice, there is some issue with sensitivity to the acid.

This mask includes some egg whites. They’re full of protein and antibacterial properties to kill off the acne-causing bacteria. They also tighten the skin, so the pores look and feel smaller.

You’ll need one egg white with a teaspoon of both grapefruit and lemon juice and two teaspoons of sour cream. Avoid the fat-free versions of sour cream, as you want the protein benefits.

Mix the sour cream and fruit juices together, while beating the egg whites in a separate bowl until fluffy. Combine the two together and mix thoroughly before applying to your legs. You can leave for around 15 minutes and will feel the egg whites working on the skin.

As always, just rinse with some warm water and then moisturize. This isn’t great for dry skin, as the egg whites can be drying. It is excellent for oily skin, though. If you do want to try it with dry skin, use plenty of moisturizing cream or coconut oil afterward!

One-Ingredient Lightening Cream

Who said cream had to be full of ingredients? It’s time to keep it extremely simple for our last one: potato juice.

Potatoes are full of antioxidants that help to repair signs of aging. They also help to remove the dead cells without scrubbing or damage to the upper layers of the skin. You’re left with naturally bright and healthier skin.

All you need is one potato cut into small pieces. Rub them on your legs, not letting an inch of your legs go without being touched by the potato juices. Allow the potato juices to soak right into the pores, killing off the bacteria and support the skin health.

Rinse with warm water, and you’re ready to go. You want to do these three times a week for the best results.

This isn’t the best option for those with dry skin, as potato juices are drying. You’ll want to make sure you use a good moisturizing cream or some coconut oil to put the moisture back in.

Brighten Your Skin in Time for the Summer

The natural creams above are highly effective and efficient. They don’t take long at all to get to work. Many of them will show signs of brightening within a week if you use them as mentioned above.

Watch out for damage to your skin. The best time to use these brightening agents is for a night before you go to bed. This will protect your skin from sun sensitivity after use. You’ll also give your skin chance to get to work during its natural recycling period as you sleep.

If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, you can substitute with something similar. Some of the best substitutions involve milk, yogurt, sour cream, rosewater, and tomato juice. You’ll get the same healthy, brightening benefits without all the irritating side effects from sensitive skin!

Looking after your skin is important. This is the part of your body that every see, especially the skin on your face and arms. You want to give off the best impression without the need for all the makeup and concealers.

The problem right now is your skin is covered in oils. You’re suffering from acne or some skin condition. You want to know how to get the luxurious skin that you see everyone have on TV or in magazines.

Well, you won’t quite get the same skin as them. Celebrities have professionals to use the right type of makeup for their skin tone. Magazine editors will hire Photoshoppers to touch up the photos before they go live. There is this need for flawless skin.

There also isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to skin. Each celebrity will have adifferent type of skin, certainly compared to you. So, you need to find a skin care routine that works specifically for your skin type. Whether you have oily, dry, combination or even aging skin, there is a skin care routine that will work. There is a way to help avoid the acne, the irritation, the dryness, and the dark spots.

Here’s a look at your options based on your type of skin.

For Those with Normal Skin Type

Let’s start with a normal skin type. If you don’t have this, you’re not alone, but there are a few lucky people out there. Normal skin seems to have the perfect moisture level naturally. There are very few imperfections or visible pores. The skin consistently looks radiant, and sensitivity is just a word sometimes uttered when suffering from a minor irritation due to lack of care.

Those with normal skin will need to look for products that are designed for your normal skin type. You don’t want to add a lot of oils into your skin, but at the same time, you need to keep that balance.

Do watch out as it is possible to change the type of skin you have. The toxic chemicals in some products will be damaging to your pH levels.

The Combination Skin Type

Those with combination skin will have areas that are extremely dry and other areas that are oily all the time. There may even be some parts of the skin that are normal and balanced! This can be one of the hardest types of skin to get products for. You need to find a way to balance both types of skin from one product, right?

Well, the truth is that multiple products may be better. For the T-zone, you need to find a product that helps cut back on the oil production. Around the chin, you’ll need extra moisturizing cream to add hydration back in.

But it’s not just about that. Combination skin also usually has the problem of large pores and lots of blackheads. You’ll need to use cleansing strips to help exfoliate the pores regularly and get out all the grime and bacteria that cause acne.

Don’t forget about how the weather can affect your skin! The winter weather is more damaging, as it will dry out the drier sections more. You’ll suffer more of imbalance, as your body tries to rectify the problem. Meanwhile, you need to use sunscreen and moisturizers that aren’t too oily and heavy for the oilier parts of your skin.

It’s important to use a mixture of both dry and oily skin care tips. You’ll need to cleanse with gentle products twice a day. Avoid the medicated options and keep away from hard soaps. The soaps are drying, even to oily skin. If you wear makeup, use a makeup wipe to get rid of it and then wash your face with a gentle cleanser.

Use an exfoliant once a week to get into the pores. If you suffer from bad acne, look out for salicylic acid. This can be applied topically, so you only put it on the oily parts of the skin.

Once you’ve finished, get an oil-free moisturizing cream to put on the drier parts of your skin. You can put some on the oily parts, but you want to keep this minimal. You want the moisturizing cream to soak into the skin and not leave a shiny layer. The drier parts will need more, as the skin will seep in as much moisture as it can.

Your hormones will affect combination skin, and it can turn greasier. This is due to the way stress hormones get your body to fire off more oils into your skin. If you find that stress sets you off, you’ll want to look for more ways to calm your stress levels to help your skin care routine work.

Treating Dry Skin

Dry skin is rough and irritating. You will likely have some red patches, but you’ll barely see your pores. The complexion is often dull, and you’ll likely see more stretch marks or fine lines because of the lack of moisture and elasticity within the skin.

In some cases, oily skin is itchy and irritating. It easily becomes inflamed, and just the slightest wrong product will kick start another round of irritation and itchiness.

The weather and sun beds can make your dry skin worse. Likewise, indoor heating or hot showers and baths can cause problems. One of the best things you can do is avoid the heat where possible. Keep your time on sun beds to a minimum and lower the heat in your shower. There’s no need to watch more than once a day unless you sweat a lot.

When you are in the shower or bath, cut the time in the water down. The heat is causing your skin to lose moisture, even though you’re in water! You break down the lipids within your skin, making it harder for the body to maintain any moisture that you do give it.

The cleansers you use will need to be soft and mild. Look out for those that don’t contain medicinal or alcohol products. Avoid harsh and hard soaps, as they will just dry out your skin further. You don’t need to scrub your skin. This isn’t going to make the flakiness any better but will irritate it more. A gentle, conditioning towel will help.

Moisturizing creams are your best friend. Apply them as soon as you get out of the bath, swimming pool, or shower. If you are going to use a sauna or sun bed, apply a moisturizing cream (one with a sunscreen for the sun beds) and help your body seep in the moisture while your pores do open.

Apply the moisturizing creams throughout the day and consider investing in a humidifier. This is especially beneficial during the winter when your home will have a dry heat. Humidifiers add a little more moisture back into the room to help your skin and help you sleep more comfortably.

Look for products that contain retinol or hyaluronic acid. Both sound like nasty chemicals but they are extremely good for your skin’s health. Retinol is used in most of anti-aging products. It helps to get deep into the layers, and it doesn’t cause reactions on sensitive skin. If you do find the type you’re using is too much, there are lower concentrations in other products that will help.

As for the hyaluronic acid, this works on a molecular level. It will get right into the skin and draw moisture to it. That means it brings the moisture to your dry patches.

Give your skin time to get used to any new product that you do try. Dry skin is sensitive, and it will likely react at first, even to something good and natural. Try one new product at a time to get the best results.

Prevent More Pimples in Oily Skin

Oily skin is one of the most common types of skin, especially for young adults and teenagers. It doesn’t mean you’re dirty. The oily skin comes from having too much natural oil production occurring. The oil must go somewhere, and it will spread around your skin, making it look greasy and dirty.

You’ll likely have enlarged pores and lots of pimples or blackheads. Cystic acne is also common in those with oily skin, especially in later life.

Stress and hormonal imbalances are a common reason for oily skin. When your hormones are out of sync, your body produces more oils. You can also find that high levels of heat or humidity cause a problem. You sweat more, which spreads more oils around your body.

It is common to get some oil on your face through the day. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have oily skin. If you feel oil on your face just a few hours after washing, you will have oily skin. There are some good sides to having oily skin. It will be less sensitive to products, especially compared to dry skin. You will also have a slightly better natural skin protection compared to other types of skin because of the oily barrier.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t want to wash your skin or face more than twice a day. Try to limit your washing to after excess sweating, so after exercise or a trip out in the heat is a good time.

It’s tempting to scrub away the oils, but your body doesn’t need that. You run the risk of ripping and damaging the skin, making the oil production worse. A gentle cleanser will do wonders on your enlarged pores. Exfoliating is only necessary once a week or once every two weeks.

You will likely have a lot of pimples, blackheads, and acne. Don’t pop them. Sure, it’s tempting, especially those that grow in lower layers and are painful, but you will just make the acne worse. The bacteria spread to other pores, and you rip the skin. The acne that you currently have taken longer to heal, and you will get more acne elsewhere! As difficult as it is, you want to leave the pimples as they are and let your body get rid of them in its own time.

When buying any cosmetic or skin care product, look for anything that states “noncomedogenic.” This means the product won’t clog the pores. Because your pores are enlarged, pore clogging is common. This just leads to grime, dirt, and bacteria getting trapped, causing far more acne than you need.

Salicylic acid is good for oily skin that has a lot of acne. It will get deep into the layers to kill off the bacteria. Watch out for alcohol based salicylic acid. This will dry out the skin, but not in the way that you want!

Retinol is another product to look out for. It will help to reduce the amount of oil naturally produced and can minimize the size of your pores.

You will still need to moisturize. You want one that has some sunscreen to protect from sun damage, and something that is oil-free to avoid pore-clogging and extra greasiness being applied.

Protecting Sensitive Skin

If your skin is commonly red, itchy, and burning, your skin may be the sensitive type. There are various reasons for this, and it can often be misidentified as dry skin. You may have a sensitivity response to a product, whether it’s skin care or laundry care. Some people have an allergy to a certain chemical, while others will have a problem with food or with a material.

Did you know that pimples and acne can cause sensitive skin? The oil that comes from them will blog the pores. There’s more bacteria growth within the pores, and that means inflammation and irritation.

As well as a skin care routine like that for dry skin, you’ll want to look for treatmentfor the acne. Consider tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and antibiotic creams to help manage it.

Other common reasons are medical problems. You’ll want to get in touch with your doctor and a dermatologist to discuss your options for getting rid of the condition. A dermatologist will be able to do a patch test on your skin to see if you have an allergy or if your skin is sensitive to something in particular—yes, even natural ingredients can be an issue.

Looking After Aging Skin

We all get older, and our skin will start to show signs. You can’t prevent the aging process, but you can slow it down. You can also make it less visible on your skin.

One of the most problematic things for aging skin is sun exposure. The sun will damage the cells and cause dark patches to appear. You will need to wear sunscreen daily to protect against this. Yes, you need sunscreen in the winter too. While the UV rays are weaker, they are still damaging and can penetrate the skin, especially with snow glare.

Keeping your skin soft and hydrated is important. Wrinkles and fine lines appear due to the skin losing its elasticity, which means it loses its collagen. Getting plenty of moisture into the skin will help, but you will also need proteins and vitamin A. Everything works together to boost the collagen production and improve natural flexibility.

It’s Time to Look After Your Skin

It doesn’t matter what type of skin you have; you can look after it. Take the time to consider the type of skin you have. You may have a combination, which is highly popular. Whatever type you have, make sure you follow a skin care routine that helps to balance the oils, keep moisture within the layers, and make your skin look radiant and well-nourished.

You don’t need to cover the blemishes up with makeup for the rest of your life. You can get rid of them!

Throughout the summer, your skin got a beautiful tan and a shimmery glow. It looked gorgeous. But now the winter is rolling in fast. You know what that means: bad skin.

Well, if you went off previous years it would mean bad skin. During the winter, your skin usually gets paler, becomes chapped, and is irritated by the harsh elements in the weather. Your skin doesn’t have to get like this though! With some skin care tips, you can get a beautiful look throughout the year.

We’ve got a list of dos and don’ts for winter skin. These 10 tips in total will help you get a beautiful look and feel throughout the year.

Do Opt for More Moisturiser

You really can’t have too much moisturizer. Okay, so technically you can because it looks slimy, but in the winter your skin needs it. You may also find that you need to change your spring/summer moisturizing cream.

During the winter, the cold weather affects your skin’s ability to retain moisture. You also spend more time indoors with the heat turned up, which leaves your whole body lacking in hydration. When your body needs more water, it will take it from the skin first.

So you want to change up your skin care routine to make sure you get plenty of moisture directly on your skin. Look out for oil-based creams for the winter months, even if you have naturally oily skin. This will likely mean a change in product from the summer ones because you’ll use water-based options in the summer.

Oil creams offer your skin an extra protective layer. You’ll lock in the moisture, which means your skin doesn’t dry out from the cold air touching it. You could use a night cream throughout the day.

Do watch out for the types of oils you get. Avocado oil, almond oil, and some shea oil are better than the synthetic options created. They won’t clog the pores, meaning the bacteria can still get out and you don’t end up with an acne problem. Cystic acne tends to get worse in the winter months due to the products we put on our skin!

Don’t use shea butter or oil on your face. It can clog the pores on the face but is good for the rest of the body. Never use a vegetable shortening if you’re looking for a home remedy. It will just sit on the skin instead of absorbing into the layers. You get no moisture benefit, and it remains shiny and greasy looking.

It’s also worth looking out for alpha hydroxy acids within skin care products. These help to attract moisture into the skin, helping you to stay hydrated and soft for longer! Ceramides are also worthwhile looking out for. They help to restore the natural barrier on the skin, preventing damage from winter weather. You’ll lock in the moisture better to avoid the chapped skin.

You want to moisturize even if you drink your eight glasses of water a day. Getting plenty of fluid is good, but it doesn’t always help the upper layers of the skin. The layers that are on the top are most affected by the winds and other extreme conditions. They become drier than the lower levels rather quickly.

Do Invest in Sunscreen

While sunscreen is popular in the summer, you also need it for the winter months. Yes, you can still get the sun in winter, and you can get a tan. Likewise, you can end up with sunburn and damage to your skin. So, you want to protect it.

The big issue is the winter sun with snow glare. Like when you’re around water, the snow glare makes the sun more intense. It bounces off the ground and onto you. While the initial UV rays are weak, they intensify from the bounce and affect your skin just as much as they would in the summer.

It doesn’t matter if you’re not going to ski in the snow! Just playing in it or walking around it can put your face and hands at risk.

If you’re not going to cover up your body from the icy weather, you’ll want to lather sunscreen on it. Use it on your face even if you do wear a scarf, hat, and sunglasses. There are times that you will remove them all.

Some sunscreen can be quite drying to the skin. Look out for those that are oil-based, like with moisturizing creams. You can also get moisturizing creams with some sunscreen in them to help get the moisture and the protection at the same time.

Do Turn on the Humidifiers

I know you want to save money on electricity during the winter months, but you’ll want to invest in some humidifiers. Even if you only turn them on at night, it’s better than nothing at all.

You should have already guessed that winter weather dries out the skin. During the night is the worst. You’ll keep the windows shut, and there will be no free flowing air throughout the house. Your heating is on, and your bedroom ends up stuffy, especially when you’re under the covers. The humidifiers help to keep the moisture in the room.

By keeping the humidity, your skin remains moist. You’ll also likely feel much more refreshed in your body won’t overheat throughout the night as much.

If you spend a lot of time in the house, you’ll want to consider getting humidifiers for other rooms. I recommend one for the office if you work from home and in the children’s bedrooms to look after their skin overnight.

Do Skip the Acne Popping

Popping your acne is bad for you any time of the year. During the winter months, it tends to be even worse. If you’re not going to stop in the summer, make it a habit to stop it the winter.

You may find that your acne gets worse naturally in the winter. This is linked to a variety of reasons, but mostly due to the way your skin dries out. When the skin is dehydrated, the brain gets the message that you need more natural oils. This can lead to overproduction, which means your pores are blocked and acne forms.

During the winter months, cystic acne can be more problematic. The issues are the layers of the skin, rather right at the top.

Popping acne will spread the bacteria around your face. It gets into the pores, and you end up with a bigger issue than before. You also tear the skin while popping it. If it’s already chapped, the bacteria gets in there,and you end up with more cystic acne. It’s a running cycle, as you’ll end up popping the new pimples.

So really, you just want to stop!

If you do have a problem with acne, look out for acne products that contain ceramides. They will help to fight acne and moisturize the skin at the same time. You can also use alpha hydroxy acids, which will help to get into the pores and fight the specific acne-causing bacteria. Want something natural? Lemon juice cleansers are your best option.

Do Stop Licking Your Lips

Your lips get chapped during the winter. Like the skin, the lips dry out, and you want to add moisture back to them. That means licking them, right?

Well, licking your lips is causing the chapped problem. The more you lick, the worse the chapped lips will become. You can also end up with more cold sores because you’re spreading the virus around your lips more.

Saliva is created to help remove food and bacteria from the mouth. It’s naturally acidic. While it doesn’t burn your mouth, it will break down the layers on the lips.

So, you want to find something else that will add moisture back to your lips. Lip balms are good but look for plain, fragrance-free options. Vaseline is one of the most respected and popular products for dry and chapped lips. There are a few others out there, though, and you can create your natural ones if you want to avoid all chemical issues.

Don’t Have the Heat Too High

You’ll be tempted to turn up the heat as much as possible during the winter. Why wouldn’t you? This is a time that the house gets cold and you want to feel as warm as you do in the summer. Your heating system is up high, your bath or shower is as hot as you can stand it, and a trip to the sauna happens on a daily basis.

Well, it’s time to think again about that heat. It’s not necessarily going to be good for your skin.

Heat is drying. Deep down you know that.

It seems like you can’t get away from drying conditions: both the heat and the cold cause it. The heat in your home is worse than the heat in the summer months, though. There’s no moisture to it, making your room a drying atmosphere.

But what about the hot baths? That’s water, right? Well, yes, but the heat from the water will break down the lipid barriers (fat barriers) within your skin. Your body loses moisture at a faster rate while being in the intensely heated water.

It’s better to turn the heat down a little and opt for a long soak in a warm bath instead of a hot one. You’ll find it more comfortable since your body won’t start to sweat and you won’t need the glasses of water ever give minutes!

If you want to try something natural that will help the state of your skin, put some baking soda or oatmeal in your bath. This will help to relieve itchiness caused by dryness during the winter. Don’t forget about the moisturizing cream after your bath!

Don’t Wear Wet Gloves!

If your gloves get wet while you’re wearing them, there’s little that you can do. But you will want to make sure they are dried out before you put them on the next time. The same goes for socks that get wet.

You know that they’re uncomfortable. They can lead to irritation and blisters, ruining your skin completely. But they also lead to cracked and weak skin on your feet and hands. Your hands start to crack and peel, and the moisture completely dries out from them. If you suffer from eczema or psoriasis, you’ll find that wet gloves and socks cause more flare-ups throughout the winter.

One trick that I learned when young was to use hand cream throughout the winter. Apply it just before doing the washing up and then wear rubber gloves. The heat from the water doesn’t get directly on your skin but opens the pores, so the moisturizing cream soaks right in. You’ll have a softer, lighter feel on your hands. You can do something similar on a night with your feet by using a foot cream.

Don’t Rely on the Water You Drink

So you’re drinking your eight glasses of water a day, and your skin is still dry. This doesn’t mean you need to drink more. The water you drink isn’t going to change anything about your outer layers of skin throughout the winter. It’s not the lack of hydration inside that is causing the problem.

We’ve already looked at how the winter elements will cause problems for your skin’s ability to remain hydrated. You have heat throughout the house without humidity. You’re not using the right moisturizers, and there are high chances that you’re not protecting your skin against the sun. All this soon adds up.

This doesn’t mean you should stop drinking water. Get your 8-10 glasses a day, but do it for your overall health. Don’t rely on it for your skin!

Don’t Forget About Your Feet

We mentioned about not wearing wet socks, but your feet need more care than that. Putting some foot cream on overnight isn’t going to do enough. You’ll also need to make sure you get rid of all the dried skin.

The dead cells and dead skin will accumulate more on your feet than anywhere else on your body. This dead skin will stop any creams or lotions getting through. Your lower layers of skin don’t quite get the hydration they need.

Invest in an exfoliating scrubber or soaker for your feet. Get rid of all the dead skin that accumulates throughout the winter and make it easier for your skin to gain more moisture from your creams.

Look for the right creams for your feet too. Find something with petroleum in it, since this will offer a deeper benefit.

Don’t Use Peels All the Time

You may be tempted to get a deep facial peel during the winter. They are commonly used weekly in the summer to help exfoliate and open up the pores. Your skin won’t be as irritated and dry during the summer.

When it comes to the winter, you want to think twice. Look out for peels that will help to add some oil to your skin. Avoid alcohol-based options that strip the body of the oils that will help to add moisture back in. Look out for the oil-based options that help to improve the oil production when you need it.

Stick to a facial peel once a month. And only use it when you need to!

You’ll also want to think about the chemicals in any cleansers or toners you use. Avoid the alcohol and look for the nourishing oils.

Don’t let the winter months dry out your skin. With a good skin care routine, you can have soft, moisturized skin. You’ll be able to avoid all the irritants and support your overall health.

Being a teenager is an absolute nightmare. The hormones are all over the place, causing disruption everywhere. If it’s not the emotions affected, it’s the skin. Teenagers have a reputation for being full of white and red horrible acne.

Acne appears for a few reasons. When it comes to teenage skin, it’s largely linked to the hormones. The hormonal imbalances created during puberty lead to the natural oil production being affected. The body releases more oils or not enough for the skin to look soft and clean.

Just because teenagers commonly get acne doesn’t mean you must deal with it daily. There are some steps that you can take to reduce acne breakouts and get rid of them quickly. Here are 13 simple rules for teenage skin care that you should follow right now.

Start with a Healthy and Balanced Diet

While there are rumors that junk food and greasy meals cause acne, this isn’t quite the truth. It’s not the fat in food that causes more breakouts on the skin. However, that doesn’t mean you can eat whatever you want without consequences.

Eating too much sugar and fat can disrupt the hormonal balance further. This means you will likely suffer from more breakouts, as the oil production is directly affected further.

A healthy and balanced diet helps to ensure your body gets all the nutrients it needs. This includes your skin. Your skin needs help to produce the right amount of oils, collagen, and healthy skin cells. If there are certain foods that you don’t want to eat, you’ll need to add them directly to your skin to help get the benefits. This is especially the case when it comes to avocados, coconut oil, and olive oil.

Don’t forget about your water intake. You may not be hungry, but thirsty. Your body can’t tell the difference. Dehydration leads to the skin drying out, and the oil production is increased considerably. Your pores become blocked, and you end up creating the perfect space for bacteria growth. These bacteria cause the acne that appears on your face!

Focus on more leafy greens, protein-filled foods, and fiber. They will keep your gut working effectively, helping to balance out the hormones.

Find Out Your Skin Type

We all have different types of skin. And we can have different types of skin from various parts of the body. When it comes to the face, you will likely either have oily, dry, or combination skin.

Every other teenager is the same. You are not alone with your skin type, and all types of skin are prone to acne. It’s the management of your skin type that will help to minimize acne breakouts.

By knowing the type of skin, you have, you can make sure any cleanser you buy or any makeup and product you purchase is designed for your skin type. The last thing you want is a product that is designed to boost the natural oil production when you already have oil, greasy skin! Likewise, your dry skin doesn’t need any more oil stripped out of it.

Your skin type can change as you get older. It will depend on trauma, environmental damage, and skin care routine over the years. Don’t rely on the same product for the rest of your life!

Some of the product purchasing will be a case of trial and error. When you find something that works, stick with it for a couple of months and then move onto something else. Don’t give your body a chance to get used to the formula within the product.

You can control the amount of oil that is produced. Using a salicylic acid cleanser and oil-free moisturizer and primer will help. Throughout the day, use a tissue to blot at your skin if you have a large excess oil production problem. Don’t use your hands as this will just make it all worse!

Cleanse Carefully and Thoroughly

We’ve mentioned finding the right type of cleanser for your skin type, but you also need to use it right. There’s no need to use a harsh cleanser on your skin. Teenage skin is fragile. Ripping off the top layers will open your pores to more dirt and grime collection. You’ll end up with more bacteria and inflammation, meaning far more acne and sensitivity.

The best thing you can do is use a mild cleanser on your face. Look out for natural options, including aloe vera, lemon juice, and coconut oil. All these cleansers add more nutrients to your skin while helping to manage the levels of oils your body produces.

If you do have oily skin, make sure any product you pick up is oil-free. This isn’t just about cleansers but about your makeup, toners, moisturizing creams, and more.

You only need to wash your face twice a day. Any more than that and you will do more damage. Wash at the start and end of the day. Throughout the day, you can then use facial tissues to blot away any excess oil to help manage the greasy look throughout the day.

Make Sure You Use Sunscreen

It’s never too early to think about sun damage to the skin. There are still so many things that we don’t know about DNA, cells, and UV rays. There are teenagers who have skin cancer due to the way they don’t look after their bodies.

So, one thing you need to do as a teenager is wearing sunscreen. It is possible to get moisturizing creams and foundations with added sunscreen protection if you want to avoid putting too many creams on your skin. This can help to minimize oils on the skin. You can get a moisturizing sunscreen for dry skin.

Sunscreen will help to do more than preventing damage to the cells. It prevents premature aging to the skin. It will avoid blemishes and dark spots while avoiding scars getting darker and more prominent on the skin. You can also reduce the risk of more acne forming.

You’ll want to think about the type of sunscreen you get to make sure it works with your skin type. The best advice is to find a sunscreen that is oil-free. It should protect against UVA and UVB rays, and you want to apply it 15-20 minutes before a trip out in the sun. Carry it with you to reapply when necessary. If you have oily skin, you’ll likely need to reapply more frequently, as the sunscreen will come away with oils running.

Make Sure You Moisturise Daily

Even those with oily skin will need to moisturize daily. There are multiple benefits throughout life to moisturizing. When it comes to teenage skin, it will help to control some natural oils produced by the body and manage that greasy or dry look.

When your body feels dehydrated, it will believe your skin needs more oils. If you keep the skin hydrated, the body gets the message that it can minimize your oil production. Likewise, you add extra oil to dry skin to help rectify the problem of low oil production.

The moisturizing cream will also help to block the pores with something good. You don’t end up with dirt and grime building up, which means bacteria doesn’t have the best home to grow and multiply. Acne is likely a thing of the past.

We also can’t deny the benefit of the skin’s look. The moisturizing cream keeps the skin soft and smooth.

Always Wash Your Makeup Daily

Don’t go to bed without washing your face. This isn’t just to cleanse it of the dirt from the day, but to cleanse it from all the makeup you’ve used. Even if you just use a little bit of tinted moisturizer and mascara, you want to cleanse your face before you sleep.

Not removing makeup from your face will lead to clogged, bacteria-filled pores. The skin is more likely to become irritated, inflamed, and full of acne. The makeup will also transfer to your pillow, meaning you get that makeup back in your pores the next night.

Even when traveling or tight on time, you will want to use a cleansing wipe to get rid of the makeup. It’s better than nothing and will open the pores a little. However, you want to cleanse properly as often as possible.

Avoid the Foundation Where Possible

While you need to clean the makeup off daily, you’ll also want to limit the amount of makeup you do use. Foundation is overused and misused by most people. Even as we get older, we don’t know how to use foundation properly.

It’s commonly placed on in a heavy layer, blocking the pores and preventing the skin from breathing. There’s this layer that is irritating and scratchy, and you know you’re wearing it without even touching your skin.

That isn’t how you should use your foundation!

Foundation is best for anevening out skin tones and creating a smooth coloring. As a teen, you don’t need that! Your skin is already smooth and even. You have a natural glow that your mom wishes she had.

What about the acne? Your foundation makes it worse. Even oil-free foundations can clog the pores and make the acne worse. The best thing you can use is a tinted moisturizer on your skin.

Don’t Exfoliate More Than Twice a Week

Your skin doesn’t need a scrub every single day of the week. You can cut the exfoliating to just once or twice a week (twice at the most). Even if you have oily skin, you don’t need to scrub to open the pores.

When you exfoliate, you’re removing the dead skin cells and opening the pores. You get deep into the pores to get rid of dirt and grime, but the right cleansers will also do this. What you also do with exfoliating is remove the top layer of your skin! You run the risk of tearing the skin.

Exfoliating also runs the risk of spreading the bacteria around your face. That acne spreads across your cheek and chin, making it worse! You also end up with irritation, causing inflammation and redness.

Sticking to just once a week will give the skin tissue a chance to repair.

When you are exfoliating, just rub gently. Avoid scrubbing and using harsh chemicals. Don’t forget to moisturize afterward.

Look After Your Body by Sleeping

As teenagers, we all like to stay up. This is the time that parents stop regulating bedtimes and a chance to stay up with friends. But your body still needs sleep. In fact, your body needs a little more sleep than your younger self because of all the hormonal changes.

A good night’s sleep will also help to manage your acne and skin health. When you get enough sleep, your hormones find it easier to balance. That means your oil production can balance out. You can reduce stress, which leads to more hormonal imbalances.

Don’t be tempted to stay up late watching TV. You’re putting stress on your eyes and muscles in your face. The more you contort these muscles, the more your skin is contorted. You’ll suffer from dark circles and premature aging signs.

You want to get at least eight hours of sleep on a night. If you struggle to get a good night’s sleep, consider creating a bedtime routine. You can use some beauty rules above to help create that skin benefiting routine to unwind and relax.

Don’t Pop Your Pimples

I know how tempting this is, but you need to avoid doing it as much as possible. Avoid popping your pimples, because you just make them worse. You spread the bacteria across your face and damage your skin, giving the bacteria a new home. You’ll break out in far more and suffer from the red and inflamed skin.

Picking at your spots will also increase the chances of your pimples scarring. Then you’re left with a prominent reminder that you had a bad breakout in your teenage years.

Instead of picking, pick up a cleanser and start working at the bacteria on your skin. Remove it and nourish your skin through natural options like coconut oil, lemon juice, and aloe vera. They will help to add acid to clean out the specific bacteria that causes acne and brighten your face.

Aloe vera helps to reduce inflammation and support the skin cells. Coconut oil will help to add more moisture to your skin while killing bacteria. Lemon juice helps to tighten and reduce the pores, creating less room for the bacteria to grow.

If you want a natural way to reduce the sign of your pimples, use toothpaste. Just a dab over the acne will help to kill off the bacteria and reduce the redness.

Keep the Water Lukewarm

When you are cleansing, make sure the water you use is lukewarm. If you can, opt for distilled water to get rid of chemicals and minerals in your usual tap water. Yes, this will be harder and more time-consuming, but it can be worth it for those with extremely problematic skin.

Cold water isn’t good for cleansing your skin. The pores will close, which means the cleanser and water can’t get in there to get rid of any build up.

Hot water can damage the skin. Even if it doesn’t feel too hot, it can be harsh on sensitive skin.

Lukewarm will work on the pores while protecting skin tissues and cells.

Know Your Skin Care Products

There are some beautiful smelling and sparkling skin care products out there. Celebrities bring out something new, and there are products designed to allure to your preferences and style. However, they aren’t necessarily going to be good for your skin.

The manufacturers don’t care about your skin. There are little legal requirements in marketing when it comes to skin care products. Companies can produce “secret formulas,” meaning some of the ingredients don’t even need to be shared on the back of the products, and these are toxic ingredients!

It’s time to step away from the marketing and do your research. Look out for products that really will look after and cleanse your skin. The great news is there are plenty of natural products that work just as well (and sometimes a lot better) than the products on the market. Most products now include the natural ingredients because of the benefits, so why not go direct to the source.

There are times that you need something on prescription. This leads to the last rule for teenage skin.

Always Talk to a Dermatologist

Don’t pick up any cosmetics or prescription options without talking to a dermatologist. This is especially important if you have highly sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Your dermatologist will know the toxins to avoid. They’ll know how they can affect your skin and whether they will offer any benefits to your acne or oil levels. A good dermatologist will also be able to offer alternative recommendations if something isn’t any good for you.

This is something to do even with natural products. The issue with some natural products is that they can still include some chemicals or they can be harsh on sensitive skin. Your dermatologist will also tell you how to use the natural products on your skin best.

Follow the Rules for the Best Teenage Skin

The best thing you can do is follow the above rules. Your hormones will balance out, but while you wait for that to happen, you don’t have to just put up with bad skin. Following the above rules helps you get clear, bright skin. You’ll be able to manage your oil production, even if you can’t completely reverse the problem.

The above rules are suitable for all types of skin. While most teenagers have oily skin, there are some with dry and irritated skin. Make sure you moisturize well and cleanse your pores of all the dirt and grime build up throughout the day.

Facial masks are full of acids. Some of these are chemically created, and others are natural. They all have some purpose for the skin, offering both benefits and negative side effects.

Before you pick up a face mask, you want to make sure it does everything you want. This will mean looking at the type of ingredients used. You’ll want to find out the types of acid and how they’re used on your face.

Don’t worry about doing all that research. We’ve broken down the 12 most common acids found in anti-aging facial masks. We’ll share everything you need to know about the facial masks acids and the purposes for the masks.

Find Masks with Zinc Oxide

Zinc oxide is a type of acid. It’s in the majority of premature aging products and baby products because it is so good for the skin. It’s the zinc that causes most of benefits, especially when those problems are linked to sun damage.

Wearing sunscreen isn’t always enough. If you don’t wear it properly and replenish it throughout the day, your skin is still going to suffer from damage. You want to add something to your skin that will help to repair some of the damage.

Zinc oxide does that—during and after. It will reflect the light, so the sun doesn’t get into the skin. Too many other sunscreens include toxins that absorb the sun’s rays. While the chemicals are supposed to keep the Rays locked in, they sometimes get into the skin and cause damage to the cells.

Meanwhile, zinc has healing benefits. It’s not irritating to the skin and will help to clean out cuts and wounds. It kills bacteria while replenishing the skin cells.

And the claims have been backed by research. An Australian study shows that signs of aging were seen in 24% fewer people using zinc oxide compared to the sunscreen users.

Stock Up on Retinol

Retinol is found in many anti-aging products and is a derivative of vitamin A. This is important for reducing the signs of aging and makes it the second acid that you want to look out for in all skin care products and anti-aging face masks.

This acid has been around since the 1930s, but it’s only been the last couple of decades that it was created into a stabilized and useable form. It’s only now that we can gain all the benefits from it.

Vitamin A helps to support the skin tissues and cells. It keeps the collagen production up and supports firmer, thicker skin. By stimulating collagen production, the skin will be more flexible and elasticised. It stretches but returns to the normal size easily, reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

There is also some benefit to the skin cells. Our cells naturally die. There’s nothing wrong with that, as they are replaced by new cells. You want to support the healthy growth of these new cells, which retinol offers. This means fewer blemishes and dark spots forming on the skin.

The only people who need to stay away from retinol is pregnant women. The effects on an unborn baby are currently unknown, and doctors like to act cautiously.

Watch Out for Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is also known as one of the alpha hydroxy acids. Naturally, in sugar cane, the acid helps to exfoliate and deeply cleanse the skin. Alpha hydroxy acids are found in almost all skin care products now, even natural ones! They’re important for making the skin look and feel brighter and cleaner.

Glycolic acid helps to remove the dead skin cells from the top layers of the skin. This means the newer cells can shine through and create a softer feel. The tone is improved, and you’ll look radiant.

Meanwhile, the acid gets into the middle and lower layers of the skin. It will help to produce more elastin within the skin, so it is more supple and firmer. There is more flexibility, reducing tears, fine lines, and wrinkles. You will look years younger.

While other alpha hydroxy acids do this, glycolic acid is the one that gets into the skin the easiest. It will get right into the pores and is suitable for every single type of skin out there!

The benefits have also been proven in studies. This is something to look out for, whether you get it chemically made or in its natural sugar cane form.

Look at Lists for Sodium Hyaluronate

When you want to get more water into the skin cells, you’ll want to look out for humectants. Sodium hyaluronate is one of them. Most importantly, hyaluronic acid is naturally created within the skin cells and is one of the most powerful humectants available. It makes sense that you want to look out for this compared to lecithin and glycerine.

Hyaluronic acid holds water up to 1,000 times its weight. And we know how important water is for the skin. Moisture helps to balance out the oil production and leaves the skin feeling soft.

But why do we say sodium hyaluronate rather than any hyaluronic acid? Well, there’s the benefit of the sodium form of it. The molecule size is much smaller, making it more powerful for penetrating into the pores. It will get into even the tightest of pores! Studies have also shown that it improves the cell health and gets all the cells talking to each other!

Consider More Lipids Through Ceramides

The fifth on the list is ceramide. This acid is a type of fat, which works on a cellular level. The acid physically supports the cell production and growth, meaning that the skin looks plumper and firmer than ever before. There’s also an extra layer of protection against environmental damage.

The skin naturally has this barrier. There’s already a ceramide content within the cells, but this decreases over time. It’s up to use to add it back in when we need it the most. While there are synthetic options, there are plenty of plant-based options, making this an ingredient added to natural skin care products.

When you prevent the cells breaking down and protect against the damage from the environment, your wrinkles look smaller and thinner. Your fine lines disappear, and your skin looks smoother than ever before.

Stimulate Collagen with Matrixyl

To prevent the signs of aging, you need to keep your collagen production up. This is something that dips as we get older. It’s completely natural but not something you just have to put up with happen. You don’t need to handle the side effects when you can reverse the production slow-down.

Matrixyl is an acid that you want to consider for anti-aging facial masks. This is also known as palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4, so make sure you look out for that on ingredients list too.

This acid is a type of peptide, which is a protein. The protein gets into the collagen to increase production, meaning your skin is far more flexible and firmer. You will reduce the side effects of reduced production, including stretch marks, wrinkles, and dark spots.

There are other peptides out there, but none of the others have been proven as effective in studies. Matrixyl has.

Get Your Vitamin B3 with Niacinamide

There’s a reason a healthy and balanced diet is recommended: your whole body gets the benefit of all nutrients. Some vitamins are relatively difficult to get, even when you do have a balanced diet. That means you need to find them elsewhere.

This is especially the case with vitamin B3. The good news is that it’s in the majority of skin care products because of the acid niacinamide.

Why is vitamin B3 so important? Well, it’s an anti-inflammatory ingredient. It reduces swelling, redness, and other irritating skin problems. It will work on evening out the skin tone and fading hyperpigmentation. These are normal problems as we age, often linked to damage to the skin tissues and cells by the sun.

Niacinamide can also help to boost the collagen production. We’ve already looked at how this is important for the skin tone and texture, reducing wrinkles and fine lines. You will instantly reduce the signs of aging and look 10 years younger!

Get D-Alpha-Tocopherol for Vitamin E

Another vitamin that you want in your facial masks is vitamin E. This comes in a variety of natural and synthetic products. When it comes to acids, you want to stop up on products with D-alpha-tocopherol.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It helps to fight off free radicals and other toxins caused by the environment, protecting the cells from oxidative stress. You lower the risk of cancer while slowing down the aging process. At the same time, your skin is left hydrated and smooth.

The reason to get D-alpha-tocopherol specifically is for the complexion benefits. As we get older, the skin can start to look pale, blotchy, and thin. The acid will help to improve coloring and texture, creating a more uniform look across your whole body.

There are also anti-inflammatory properties. You’ll reduce the look of redness and blotchiness from irritation, damage, and aging.

This is most effective when it’s combined with vitamin C, especially when repairing UV damage.

Add the Antioxidant Resveratrol

Let’s look at another antioxidant since they are so good for the skin. You want to look for something that will fight against the sun damage within the skin, and that means a face mask with resveratrol. The great news is this is another that can be created both naturally and synthetically. It’s found in red grapes, so you can even add it to your natural products!

Resveratrol has been proven in peer-reviewed studies. This means the studies aren’t managed or paid for by companies that benefit from the sales of anything with the acid in them. The studies show that the acid doesn’t just fight the sun damage, but blocks the UV rays from the skin. If any do get through, the anti-inflammatory properties do help to reverse some of the issues.

There is also collagen production, which is important for creating fuller and suppler skin. If you don’t want to put creams on your face, a glass of red wine will help.

You Still Want Hyaluronic Acid

We’ve shared the benefits of hyaluronic acid, but did admit that sodium hyaluronate is better for you. Well, while that’s the case, you still want to look out for products that have hyaluronic acid within them.

Acid tends to get a bad reputation. It’s viewed as dangerous and doesn’t belong in skin products. However, there are some benefits of acid. For one thing, it is cleansing and brightening. It helps to strip away the dirt and grime, killing bacteria and removing the dead skin cells. Your whole face will look brighter and cleaner than ever before, making you look years younger.

This is certainly the case for hyaluronic acid. This is one of those that helps the skin absorb more water and kill more bacteria. It helps the skin produce far more collagen than before, reducing the looks of fine lines and wrinkles. The whole skin is protected against damage. Skin tone evens out, and the moisture locking benefits mean that the skin feels smoother.

It even protects against sun damage! There’s a protective layer created, even when the skin doesn’t have sunscreen on. However, this is limited, so you will still want to work on protecting the skin from sun damage in other ways!

Start Adding More Vitamin C

Vitamin C itself isn’t an acid. It is found in a few acids that are good for skin repair and support. You can also get it naturally to help create your anti-aging face masks.

Topical vitamin C is an antioxidant. It will repair thedamage done by the sun and help protect the skin from oxidative stress and free radical damage. Vitamin C will also support the immune system and clean out the bacteria that grow, causing various skin problems. There are also collagen benefits, helping to support flexible and supple skin.

You can get it in L-ascorbic acid. This is the most stabilizedoption, but it does degrade quickly in the light. If you are going out in the sun, you’ll want to look for more stabilized options. Sodium ascorbic phosphate or ascorbyl palmitate are your best two options for non-light degrading types.

Top Up on Citric Acid

Finally, we have citric acid. This is a popular option through natural anti-aging facial masks since so many of them contain lemon or citrus juice. It’s also one of the mildest types of acid to put on your skin.

Citric acid has been used for centuries to clean out clogged pores, protect against acne production, improve pigmentation and sun spots, and remove wrinkles. It evens out the skin tone effectively while helping to lighten scars and get rid of acne.

Manage Your Signs of Aging with Good Acid

There are certainly bad acids out there. Too many are harsh on the skin and cause burning. However, there are others that are safe and even good for the whole body. You can help to replenish the skin cells, repair damage, and increase collagen production. All these effects will help to reduce the signs of aging.

Look out for the above 12 in your products. There are synthetic and natural forms of so many of them, meaning that you can find either natural or chemical products, depending on your interests. Many are suitable for all types of skin, including sensitive, eczema-prone skin. If you want to make your own, look for fruits, vegetables, or plants that have them naturally occurring to boost your skin health.

It’s time to look decades younger with the right acids.