Hydroxycute

IC asked:


The following good habits are actually shared by most dermatologists as their best advices for a clear complexion.

Good Habit #1: Avoid Too Much Cosmeceuticals

Numerous experts have said that with more and more beauty potions with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), antioxidants, salicylic acids, and retinoids in them, blending a cleanser from one line with a scrub or daytime moisturizer from another, then a night cream from yet another can lead to over-exfoliation as well as irritation. This can no doubt add up to a real dilemma, especially for those women who have olive and darker complexions. This is also possible for women who are more prone to discoloration when their skin is irritated.

So, to play it really safe, it is important that you only stick with one line of products. But, only use the line of products which are formulated to work together. It is often said that if for instance you use any prescription products like the famous Renova, the advice of your dermatologist is highly needed. Ask your specialist regarding on how to mix prescription treatments with the over the counter cosmeceutical products. Just don’t overdo beauty products.

Good Habit #2: Consider a Healthy Exercise

Exercise is great for a beautiful skin. So, considering at least twenty to thirty minutes of any aerobic exercise is worth trying. It will give you a glow, as it is often said. One of the supports for this is the fact that exercise boosts blood flow. It is this increased blood flow which will bring more nutrients to the skin. However, it is important to be aware that the accumulation of sebum or oil through perspiration can result in sweatband acne, folliculitis, as well as spiky heat. But, don’t worry; there is a simple solution for this – shower as soon as possible after shaking your booty.

Good Habit #3: Intimate with the Phone? Don’t Be!

Always note that constant rubbing on the mouthpiece may lead to rashes around the chin and mouth. This is what many people have believed, including dermatologists. So, it is important that when talking to somebody on the phone, hold the phone away from those mentioned areas when talking. Also, clean the phone often with a mild soapy solution or perhaps rubbing alcohol.

Good Habit #4: Examine Your Birthday Suit for Spots

When it comes to skin care, any sudden or suspicious-looking mole, bump or other growth on the skin is a reason to see a dermatologist. Nevertheless, as skin cancer rates skyrocketed, having a full body check up by a professional is very crucial. This is especially true for those us living in the baby-oil-and-iodine, pre-sunscreen generation.

Also, it is said that those who belong in a high risk group, meaning having a personal or family history of skin cancer, a lot of moles, fair skin, or light eyes or hair, should consult a specialist for a regular check up. The regular examination should start in their teens and probably no later than age 35. However, even if you do not belong in a high risk group, it is still recommended that between the ages of 20 and 40, people must have a cancer-related check up. The check up must include skin exam and must be considered every three to four years. Once you hit your 40s, start undergoing a cancer-related examination with skin exam every year. Aside from that, it is advisable that you do monthly self-exams in order for you to keep an eye out for changes and growths.

Good Habit #5: Eat Healthy Foods

Healthy foods refer to those that help your skin and body fight against the bad forces outside and inside. You must consider antioxidants such as vitamin A, C and E as they are highly potent for sun damage and fight certain cancers, including skin cancer. This is actually the reason that makes antioxidants essential to your health. Along with this, a well balanced diet is highly recommended. This means making yourself comfortable with a diet filled with at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, plus a multivitamin that meets the RDA standards.

Cdmohatta asked:


Anti-aging and skin care products added with AHA are flooding the market. Alpha hydroxy acids are supposed to smoothen fine lines and surface wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, unblock and cleanse pores. They also improve oily skin or acne, and improve skin condition in general. AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids are not new to skin care. Legends of Cleopatras milk baths are well known in beauty and skin care. Polynesians used sugarcane and fruit juices to soften their skin. The factor common to the properties of these natural products is this group of natural substances found in sugarcane, fruits, milk, molasses, etc., called AHA.

What are AHA molecules?

To find out if a cosmetic contains an AHA, look on the list of ingredients. AHA ingredients may be listed as:

Glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid + ammonium glycolate, alpha-hydroxyethanoic acid + ammonium alpha-hydroxyethanoate, alpha-hydroxyoctanoic acid, alpha-hydroxycaprylic acid, hydroxycaprylic acid, mixed fruit acid, tri-alpha hydroxy fruit acids, triple fruit acid, sugar cane extract, alpha hydroxy and botanical complex, L-alpha hydroxy acid glycomer in cross linked fatty acids alpha nutrium (three AHAs).

How AHA works?

To find out how AHA works for skin care, let us see how the skin grows old, and how to keep it younger. Cells in the outer layers of skin are bound together by inter-cellular fluid. As one ages, this glue-like substance binds the skin cells tighter and denser. Dead skin layers build up and unlike young skin, natural exfoliation becomes difficult. This group of natural acids has the ability to loosen this inter-cellular fluid, and allows the top layer of dead skin to slough off easily. Thus AHA products cause exfoliation, or shedding of the surface skin. The extent of exfoliation depends on the type and concentration of the AHA, its pH (acidity), and other ingredients in the product. Most skin care cosmetics sold to consumers contain AHA at levels up to 10 percent.

Side effects of AHA

The side effects from AHA containing products can include burns, itching, pain, and possibly scarring. The degree of acidity (the pH) of the product also can affect irritation. Some experts advise that people should purchase products with AHA concentrations of 10% or less and a pH of 3.5 or higher (the higher the pH, the lower the acidity). If any adverse effects occur, the use should be stopped immediately. In any case, people are advised to avoid sunlight or use proper protection when using them.

The best way to use AHA products would be to try the product for some time and see the difference in skin. Avoid sunlight exposure while using AHA products and watch for any side effects. Consulting your dermatologist before using these products would be a still better course of action, and the best would be to take Cleopatras recipe for Milk bath, and remain younger.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Alien asked:


Anti-aging creams are cosmetic products marketed with the promise of making the consumer look younger and reducing visible wrinkles on the skin. Despite great demand, most such products and treatments have not been proven to give lasting or major positive effects.

There are a range of cosmetic treatments for the appearance of wrinkles on the skin such as plastic surgery and botox injections. Advertising sometimes presents anti-aging creams as an alternative to these more costly and invasive cosmetic treatments.Many wrinkle creams and lotions sold in department stores, in drugstores and on the Internet promise to reduce wrinkles and prevent or reverse damage caused by the sun.

Do they work? Some research suggests that wrinkle creams contain ingredients that may improve wrinkles. But many of these ingredients haven’t undergone scientific research to prove this benefit.

If you want to look young, don’t spend a fortune on anti-wrinkle creams. A study shows that the cheaper brands work just as well – if not better – than the more expensive ones.

Do anti-aging skin care creams containing Vitamin C work?

Both “yes and No” are the answers! On one hand, vitamin C does possess definite, scientifically validated merits for wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation. On the other hand, most anti-wrinkle anti aging vitamin C products does not work. And worse is that they may aggravate wrinkle formation.

Here are some of the most common ingredients that are used in anti wrinkle creams.

* Vitamin E. Vitamin E is known to be a good vitamin for skin.

* Tretinoin (or retin-A). The effects of retin-A or tretinoin will be similar to vitamin A, as it is a similar ingredient. It can be also be used to treat acne and sun damage.

* Hydroxy acids (including Alppha hydroxyl acids, beta hydroxy acids and poly hydroxy acids). Hydroxy acids are synthetic versions of the acids contained in fruit. They remove the upper layer of old dead skin and stimulate the growth of new skin.

* Vitamin A (or retinol). Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A. It is an antioxidant and is used in many anti wrinkle creams.

This was the verdict of Consumer Reports, a monthly publication of the non-profit consumer research group Consumer Union that recently tested different products to determine whether or not they could fight wrinkles.

After 12 weeks of testing, researchers found that the best performer cost only $19. However, none of the products they tested was able to significantly reduce wrinkles.

“The top-rated products smoothed out some fine lines and wrinkles but even the best performers reduced the average depth of wrinkles by less than 10 percent, a change barely visible to the naked eye,” according to Belinda Goldsmith of Reuters.

“The tests revealed that, on average, these products made little difference in the skin’s appearance and there’s no correlation between price and effectiveness,” a spokeswoman for the magazine said.

For its tests, Consumer Reports chose several popular brands priced from $19 to $355. The creams were used by 17 to 23 women aged between 30 and 70. The services of a European laboratory were used to recruit the women and evaluate the products.

“The women used a test product on one side of their face and the lab’s standard moisturizer on the other side for comparison. A high-tech optical device was used to detect changes in wrinkle depth and skin roughness,” Goldsmith said.

Results were disappointing and showed that the effects of most anti-wrinkle creams were barely noticeable.

The small study, however, was criticized by some dermatologists. Dr. Tina Alster, a dermatologic laser surgeon from Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and a member of the American Academy of Dermatologists, said it was difficult to conclude from such a limited study that these products did not work.

“People would love to believe that cheap products are the same as the more expensive ones, and I may pooh-pooh someone paying $500 for a cream, but I do see the value of some of the luxury brands which are science-based. But it is a cautionary tale that people should be looking at the ingredients rather than just at the packaging,” she said.

Still, some women said they would continue to use anti-wrinkle creams if only because it gave them the illusion of being beautiful.

“I’ve never really believed these creams would stop wrinkles, but they make me feel and smell good,” said Amira Thoron, a 36-year-old New York teacher.

To maximize your beauty without losing money, redefine your skin with Dermaxin cream. This potent needle-free formula will reduce the signs of aging without the discomfort and side effects of painful and costly doctor administered injectables.

Jack Bowles asked:


The National Skin Care Institute brings you information and advice on natural skin care from some of the nation’s leading dermatologists. You will find information about dry skin, other skin types, allergies, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis at their website.

Keep your pH balanced inside and out. A body that is too acidic tries to eliminate toxins through the skin. Skin that is too acidic becomes dry and cracked. Eczema flares can result from both. How do you keep your pH balanced? To handle the problem internally, get a pH testing kit from the drug store and adjust your diet appropriately. You can check the internet for the pH factor of various foods. Externally, avoid skin care products containing perfumes and fragrances. Natural or not, fragrances tend to be acidic and cause dry skin.

Stay dry and hydrated. The moisture that’s good for the skin is the body’s natural water content, not water from external sources. So, while you keep the body hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine and other dehydrating substances, you have to keep the skin from getting and staying wet. Wearing silk liners under outdoor gloves will help. Silk dries very quickly so your hands don’t sit in wet gloves - and when you’re handling household chemicals such as dish detergents and cleaning products, rubber gloves are the answer.

Use a shielding lotion. This breakthrough technology in skin care is now recommended by thousands of doctors for dry skin care and eczema treatment. It bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a protective layer that locks in natural moisture, keeps out drying chemicals and protects your skin from harsh winter weather.

It is important to obtain well-informed information from a medical professional regarding your acne. Acne treatment requires patience as it usually takes between six to eight weeks of management before visible signs of improvement can be seen. One should follow an acne care regime prescribed by a doctor. Misinformation can have you using an ineffective remedy for a long period of time, in a desperate attempt to cure your acne.

Mistakes can waste time, ultimately making your acne last longer. Be persistent and work with the prescribed medications and stick with the instructions given to you by your doctor. Adult acne care is different from adolescent acne care, as the hormones going through ones body are different. Therefore don’t assume what you used to cure your teenage acne problem will cure your adult problems as well.

Natural skin care is the care of the skin (the largest organ of the body) using naturally-derived ingredients (such as herbs, roots, essential oils and flowers) combined with naturally occurring carrier agents, preservatives, surfactants, humectants and emulsifiers (everything from natural soap to oils to pure water).

The classic definition of natural skin care is based on using botanically sourced ingredients currently existing in or formed by nature, without the use of synthetic chemicals, and manufactured in such a way to preserve the integrity of the ingredients.

As a result of this definition, many people who use natural skin care products, generally make their own products at home from naturally occurring ingredients. While there are many wife’s tales surrounding the beneifts of certain ingredients, scientific studies have proven that such ingredients as Chamomile have demonstrated healing and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically. Many people use natural skin care recipes to make remedies to care for their skin at home.

Many spas and skin care salons now focus on using more naturally derived skin care products. Over the past ten years, several companies have been started to make available completely natural products to the general public.

So if you want to have a healthy skin, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, reduce stress, sleep well and eat healthy. As you age, the production of hormones and oil in the body slows down. Use external applications judiciously and rejuvenate your skin.

Remember organic fruits and vegetables vitalize the body; sour cream and yogurt contain lactic acid (a natural alpha hydroxy acid) which helps in exfoliation. Organic honey is good for any type of skin and fresh aloe Vera gel hydrates, detoxifies and revitalizes. Natural skin care is not as difficult as is often made out to be.

Natural skin care has its roots in the 4th millennium BC in China and the Middle East. It is believed that the Egyptians developed many natural skin care treatments for a variety of skin conditions. One such treatment consists of bullock’s bile, whipped ostrich eggs, olive oil, dough and resin mixed with milk. In the modern age many people with unique skin types and needs (sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin) have turned to natural skin care solutions.

Some examples of natural skin care ingredients include jojoba, safflower oil, rose hip seed oil, shea butter, beeswax, witch hazel, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and chamomile. Many of these natural ingredient combinations can be tailored specific to the individual’s skin type or skin condition.

Natural skin care goes beyond the application of products on one’s skin. It also pertains to a holistic philosophy surrounding the holistic care of one’s body. This includes the belief that what is ingested will affects all aspects of health, including the health of skin. People who use natural skin care products are less concerned with artificial beauty enhancements, as they feel that natural beauty is healthy beauty.

There is, however, no actual definition of natural according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All ingredients are chemicals by definition. “Derived” ingredients are unnatural both according to the original substance and the method of derivation.

The term natural has considerable market value in promoting skin care cosmetic products to consumers, but dermatologists say it has very little medical meaning and the FDA states the claim has no legal meaning. Despite pressure from advocacy groups such as The Environmental Working Group (EWG) the FDA has not defined what natural is or how to achieve it. Contrary to popular belief the FDA does not regulate the sale of skin care and cosmetic products before they are sold.

Whether you’re a veteran practitioner of holistic skin care or you’re just beginning, it’s important to make sure you go about alternative skin care safely. Always read the label if you’re planning on applying a new product, and spot-test the product on your hand if possible. Also, don’t take any supplements internally without consulting your doctor to make sure it’s safe.