Homemade skin treatments and skin care

Home > Homemade skin treatments and skin care

Skin care and homemade skin treatments have been around for thousands of years. Apart from being inexpensive, these treatments are easy to prepare and use.

These recipes with ingredients from kitchen are safe and effective. Skin, the largest organ of our body, gets continuously exposed to environment, chemicals and pollutants. It is the protective covering of all the internal organs systems. In turn, it has to be protected from the environmental elements. Its proper care is very much necessary for the proper functioning of the internal organs as well as the healthy and beautiful looks.

Homemade skin treatment starts with health management

The health of our skin is directly related to our general health and presence of health problems has a telling effect on its condition. If an individual is well-nourished, does not suffer from nutritional deficiencies or excesses and is free from adverse health conditions, then his/her skin, in all probability, will be in prime condition and glowing.

Hydration of the body for skin moisturization

Sufficient moisturization of the epidermis can prevent dermal problems. Not drinking sufficient quantities of water can lead to the dehydration of the body and epidermis. Chronic dehydration can lead to many health problems. It is recommended that, for every twenty kilograms of body-weight, one liter of water must be consumed daily in normal conditions. In summer and also when the temperatures are high the requirement will be much more. In chronic dehydration, epidermis will become dry, scaly and dull and lose its suppleness, elasticity and glow.

Balanced food for effective homemade skin treatment

The basale layer of epidermis is made of continuously dividing cells. As these cells proliferate and move upwards they undergo many changes and die to form a protective barrier from the external world. For a well moisturized supple and soft dermis this process must go on. These cells require nutrients for their uninterrupted activity.

Proteins: We have to take care to add sufficient proteins from different food sources in our diet. The matrix of dermis is made of collagen connective tissues. Collagen is a group of proteins. Any deficiency in proteins and their constituent amino acids will cause wrinkles and loss of elasticity.

Essential fatty acids: Essential fatty acids are required for the normal function of all body cells. However, excess consumption of fats results in excess fat deposits. Excess carbohydrates are also converted into fats and stored in the body. Excess fats lead to oily conditions and problems like acne.

Vitamins and minerals: Vitamin C and vitamin E are essential for production of collagen, the basic matrix of dermis. The deficiency of vitamins in B complex can give rise to many skin diseases requiring medical treatments. All the above issues can corrected by taking a balanced nutrition.

Exercise as skin treatment

Exercising regularly increases blood circulation to skin. The increase in circulating blood brings more nutrients and oxygen to dermal cells. Increased blood flow to dermis can delay aging, wrinkle formation and prevent acne. Sweating removes the metabolic wastes from the dermis and helps in easy exfoliation.

Understanding your skin type for homemade treatments

A perfect skin is a dream of every person and for many it remains as an illusion. For taking care and devising homemade treatments, in the first place we have to understand our skin type. There are normal, dry, oily, combined and sensitive types and each type requiring altogether a distinct homemade care.

Homemade oily skin care treatments

For oily skin care, homemade treatments focus on,

• opening up the pores to remove clogging,
• draining the blocked contents,
• removing excess oil on the face surface,
• bring out face oil stored in the sebaceous glands,
• and closing the pores tight to prevent clogging and
• taking corrective action to bring down oil output.

The whole process homemade treatments is discussed in great detail at the above link.

Homemade dry skin care treatments

If the dry condition is an annual occurrence in winter you have to evaluate the living room, bed room and work place conditions. It is most likely that they are very dry with low humidity. Try using humidifiers.
If dry condition is a continuous problem, for homemade treatments you should focus on,

• correcting your nutritional balance,
• scrubbing and exfoliating,
• washing face regularly, patting it dry and applying moisturizers like petroleum jelly or olive oil and
• making homemade moisturizing a daily habit.

More detailed information on homemade treatments is given in the above subtitle link.

Homemade combined skin care treatments

For combined type at first do the homemade treatments as in oily condition and follow up with moisturizing the dry areas. Please note that effective homemade treatments can be given with ingredients usually available in kitchen at low costs with great ease and with least side effects.

Related topics in dynamic nature skin care:
Homemade face moisturizer recipe.
Homemade olive oil moisturizer.
Causes of oily skin.

Interesting topics in the dynamic skin care:
Type of acne scars.
Skin sensitive to touch.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis causes.
Epidermal keratinocytes.
Definition of human epidermis.
Five epidermal layers in order.
Stratum granulosum definition and function.
Stratum lucidum function and definition.
Nevus depigmentosus.
Baby milk spots - Milia causes.

Current topic: Skin care and homemade skin treatments.

What is a Hemangioma? What are the Causes of Hemangioma?

Home > Reddened skin > What is a Hemangioma? Causes of Hemangioma.

Hemangioma is a benign tumor formed by the abnormal growth and buildup of blood vessels. The cause of hemangioma is unknown.

Hemangioma usually appears on the skin, especially on the head, face and neck. It may form in the top skin layers (capillary) or deeper in the skin (cavernous). It may also appear on the internal organs like liver, spine and vertebrae. The term hemangioma comes from Greek words meaning "blood-vessel-tumor".

These lesions are the most common benign tumors in children. These lesions may be present at birth as birth marks having faint reddened areas or develop after birth in the early months. Usually these tumors grow rapidly for about twelve months. Then there is a resting phase with little change in appearance for another twelve months. Then the involution phase starts and causes the lesions to diminish in size and disappear in ten years. In rare cases it may persist beyond ten years.

Hemangiomas and vascular malformations

     Earlier the term hemangioma was used to denote a variety of vascular lesions of infancy and childhood. Mulliken JB. and Glowacki J. categorized these conditions into  hemangiomas and vascular malformations. Hemangiomas have a proliferating phase characterized by endothelial hyperplasia which causes rapid growth of tumor. Then there is an involution phase with histological fibrosis and fat deposition followed by a regression phase. Under the microscope, these lesions appear as aggregates of closely packed capillaries filled with blood having endothelial lining.

     Vascular malformations are usually seen at birth and they grow proportionately with the child-growth. Vascular malformations consist of abnormal arteries, veins and capillaries and are essentially permanent. This categorization helps in deciding on the type of treatment required, if any.

Causes of hemangioma

     The exact cause of this benign tumor is unknown. Several views and hypotheses have been suggested as possible causes of these lesions. Several studies suggested a role for the estrogen hormone for their development. A study suggested that higher levels of estrogen circulating in the infant blood coupled with the localized tissue hypoxia may be a cause or a triggering factor for these lesions.

     Another study hypothesized that embolisms of maternal placenta on to dermis of fetus may be the cause of hemangioma. However this view was contradicted by the DNA studies of the mother and lesion tissue. More research is required to know the cause of the explosive rate of growth of these tumors.

     Hemangioma is more prevalent in Caucasian infants than in Asian infants. It is rarely found in African-American infants. About 5% of Caucasian infants are born with these lesions. The cause of this ethnic variation is unknown. The low amount of melanocytes present in fairer skin may be a cause for the development of these tumors. Premature infants and small infants are more prone to have or develop these tumors. Further, when compared to males more number of female infants are affected.

     These tumors have potential for complications and permanent scarring. The risks involved include visual obstruction, breathing obstruction, ear canal obstruction facial disfigurement or bleeding ulceration. The tumors of the internal organs can lead to pain, impaired organ function or failure. When the tumor is very large it may create excess load and stress on the heart. The presence of lesions may have a psychological impact on the child and cause emotional distress and behavioral problems. Hence the presence of hemangioma in infants requires medical advice and early treatment.

Skin Care topics of interest:
1. Carrots carotene and orange skin.
2. Types of Urticaria (hives).
3. Treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria.
4. Acute Urticaria (hives).
5. Types of albinism disorders - Causes and genetics

Current Skin Care topic:
What is a Hemangioma? Causes of Hemangioma.

References:
 1. Haggstrom AN et al. (September 2006). Pediatrics 118 (3): 882–7. doi:10.1542/peds.2006-0413. PMID 16950977. "Prospective study of infantile hemangiomas: clinical characteristics predicting complications and treatment".

Vitamin C skin care - Vitamin C skin benefits

Skin lightening > Skin care and moisturizers > Vitamin C and skin care

Skin care with vitamin C is one of the very important secrets in keeping it youthful, shining and glowing.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) benefits skin by strengthening and increasing elasticity of collagen tissue and preventing wrinkles and photoaging.

Very reliable scientific research evidence has now proved benefits and effectiveness of vitamin C in skin care in whitening and in removing blemishes and hyperpigmentation.
However the latest trends and changing ingredients have made it difficult for us to choose effective vitamin C skincare products.

What are vitamin C skin benefits?

Ascorbic acid helps in skin whitening by exfoliation, cleansing and also by slowing down melanin skin pigment production, premature aging and age spots.
This also helps in softening and toning up dermal layers.
Its benefits also include stimulation of collagen growth, which is the basic matrix of dermal layers.
This has anti-aging effects and benefits in slowing down skin aging by firming it up and removing wrinkles and fine lines.

Antioxidant benefits of vitamin C for skin care

Ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant, which care and protect our body cells from  destruction by free-radicals formed during our body's metabolic processes.
Ascorbic acid actively neutralises free radicals. It is also found to reverse the DNA damage.
Free-radicals are also produced in the dermal layer, when it is exposed to ultra violet rays present in the sunlight.
Ascorbic acid also takes care of our dermal cells from negative impact of sun when applied topically by neutralizing free radicals.
However it is to be noted that, ascorbic acid application does not have sun screening effect and does not block sun rays.
Its action is only in protective care by neutralizing the free radicals produced during sun exposure.
Hence sunscreen, especially broad-spectrum sunscreen, with effective sun protection factor (SPF), also has to be used to block the sunlight for required care from darkening, sunburn, photodermatitis and cancers like  squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Vitamin C skin care benefits in exfoliation

One of the benefits of vitamin C is that in its common acidic form (ascorbic acid) exfoliates the epidermis layer effectively.
The top dead epidermis layer is shed off continuously by the natural process called desquamation.
In some individuals the process may be slower and more dead cells remain back giving the epidermis a dull appearance.
Exfoliating periodically makes the skin to bounce back with youth, vibrancy, freshness,clarity, radiance, shine and glow.

Collagen production for skin care with vitamin C

Collagen is the basic structural protein of the dermal layers and its synthesis depends on ascorbic acid.
The components of the skin are held together by the collagen fibres.
The benefits of collagen fibers are many and their benefits for dermal layers lies in holding together dermal components.
Insufficient and inefficient collagen fibers lead to dull, sagging and wrinkled epidermal structure.
For having wrinkle free look with firm texture, collagen synthesis at the epidermis and dermis levels must go on at optimum pace.
High levels of oral ascorbic acid, though have many effective benefits for other organ systems, do not target dermal layers effectively.
However ascorbic acid can be infused into the epidermis and dermis by topical applications.
In its ascorbic acid form it gets oxidised and denatured on exposure to water and light and loses efficacy.
Vitamin C skin care products have been developed with its different stable derivative forms,which are very effective and give immense benefits.

Related topics:
Benefits of vitamin C skin care products
Discoloration pictures
Current topic: Benefits of vitamin C for skin care

• Home
• Index

Skin care - Olive oil for skin health

Olive oil types > Nutrition > Health benefits > For hair care > Moisturizer > Beauty tips > Olive oil for skin care

Olive oil for skin gives health benefits as moisturizer, natural cleanser, wrinkle remover, anti-aging antioxidant and repairer of damages.

The use of olive oil for skin health is a known 'secret' for thousands of years. Ancient residents of the Mediterranean regions like Egyptians, Romans and Greek were using it as a food and as well as a topical nourishment.

Consuming olive oil for skin health

• Skin is the largest and most exposed organ of our body and its health gets affected both from within and from outside.
• Free-radicals are being produced continuously in our body due to our activities and from the food and other products we take.
• These free radicals apart from affecting our other organs, affect our skin health, causing its ageing, wrinkles and diseases.
• Antioxidants are present in various food items and act in our body as neutraliser of the free-radicals, protecting our body from their harmful effects.
• Extra virgin olive oil is found to contain high amounts of antioxidants and including it in our diet regularly, protects our health from premature aging and wrinkle formation.

Applying olive oil for skin health

Our skin is continuously damaged by the weather elements, pollution and chemicals from outside.

Exposure to these elements causes damages to skin like dryness, wrinkles and premature aging.

Olive fruits in olive oil

Application of olive oil on our skin gives a number of benefits

• It gives smoothness and promotes fairness, radiance, health and glow to the complexion.
• Olive oil is well-absorbed and there is no greasy residue.
• It is a good cleanser and removes excess sebum and debris on the epidermis.
• It is useful as exfoliating mask and cleansing scrub.
• It is a good moisturizer, having no harmful chemicals and it locks-in the moisture.
• It prevents drying, chaffing and peeling.
• It maintains and improves the elasticity.
• It neutralises the oxidation effects from within and from outside environmental elements.
• Olive oil is very useful in treating sun burns and sun poisoning.
• It is effective in the treatment of skin health problems like acne, eczema and psoriasis.
• It prevents dryness, wrinkle formation, stretch marks and delays ageing of the skin.
• It reduces the brittleness of the nails and adds to their health, strength and pliability.
• Olive oil is an excellent hair conditioner, improves hair health and gives growth, shine and gloss to hair.

Health studies have shown about the preventive effects of application of this oil on the formation of basal cell carcinoma on radiation.

In persons affected by tinea versicolor infection its suitability is to be assessed as the fungus is lipophilic and grows well in sebum.

It is better to be avoided by tinea versicolor infection affected persons.

Olive oil being non-allergic is suitable for all types of applications for skin health.

• Home
• Index

image courtesy: stu_spivack

Skin care: Olive oil hair care -Olive oil for hair growth

Types of olive oil → Olive oil for hair care and growth → Olive oil moisturizer → Beauty tips
Olive oil is the best solution for getting glossy, silky, soft, strong, long, dense, elastic, frizz-free, dandruff-free, lice-free hair with good growth.

Olive extract is a nourisher, conditioner and moisturizer promoting its growth and care.
Proper use of olive oil for good hair care and growth involves three stages.

The scalp must be periodically cleaned thoroughly to remove dirt, skin debris and the excess sebum to stem hair loss and promote its health.

Daily care of scalp skin is necessary to have healthy hair. It must be combed and massaged to improve its blood circulation.

Understanding the structure of hair helps in its care and growth using olive oil

To have healthy hair, care of scalp skin is a must as all the living parts of it like follicles, roots and sebaceous glands are located beneath the scalp skin.

Follicles are the roots wherein cells are packed to form the shaft. The sebaceous glands on the scalp produce sebum which is a natural moisturizer and conditioner to control hair loss.

The actual shaft which emerges out of the skin has no living process. The shaft contains the (1) inner core medulla containing loose cells and air space, (2) the cortex containing tightly packed keratin and (3) the outer cuticle containing cells arranged in single layer like shingles of roof.

Olive oil for hair care, growth, nourishment and scalp massage

Mild antibacterial and antifungal properties of olive help in the prevention of diseases of the scalp skin and helps in its care. Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and other antioxidants.

Antioxidants protect the follicles from the oxidative damages caused by free radicals promoting growth and controlling loss.

It nourishes the shaft at its formation stage at the follicles and its health and growth is improved and loss is reduced.

Taking care by massaging the scalp with olive oil apart from facilitating its penetration also helps in the improvement of the circulation to the scalp skin.

Improved circulation means more nutrients for the growth of shaft at the root level. This controls its fall, loss, premature graying and poor texture.

Olive oil as moisturizer and conditioner for care and growth of hair

It is very effective moisturizer and conditioner promoting growth and controlling loss. It penetrates the shaft making it soft and supple.

Application of olive oil locks in the moisture and stops it from getting brittle and dry and its loss.

It is a good protection for the cuticle and its use for stopping split ends gives good care results, growth preventing loss.

Frequent combing and use of colours and dyes may take away cuticle and cause split ends.

Hair shaft

Olive oil for hair protection from dandruff and lice and its care and health

Regular application to the scalp and massaging gets rid off dandruff and promotes growth.

Olive extract application on the scalp discourages lice. They cannot thrive in this medium and environment.

Application of olive oil on the scalp followed by combing for lice make the lice to loose grip and fall out.

• Home
• Index

Skin care - What causes dry skin

Causes of dry skin → What is dry skin? → Moisturizers → Homemade face moisturizer recipe → Oily epidermis treatments
Dry skin causes can be either external or internal, which have to be addressed specifically for relief. There are many factors and causes inducing dry skin condition and some of them are dietary deficiencies, weather elements and sun exposure, frequent baths and harsh soaps, hormonal deficiencies, genetic factors and skin diseases.

The causes of dry skin can be corrected easily by removing the affecting factors.
However the internal factors, especially diseases, take long term medical management.

Dry skin causes: dietary deficiencies

This condition can result very easily when there is insufficient intake of water or dehydration of body cells.
The deficiencies of B-complex vitamins and vitamin A have been found to be causes of dry skin.

Riboflavin deficiency leads to cracks in the corner of the mouth.
Higher amounts of alcohol, caffeine and fried food are likely causes of dry skin.
Irregular food habits and smoking lead to chronic xeroderma.

Dry skin causes: weather and sun exposure

Winter leads to xeroderma condition as the epidermis loses water due to lowest humidity levels prevailing in winter.
There is a mistaken notion that winter with its cold conditions is rich in moisture; but the reverse is true.
Winter winds are dry and whatever moisture in it is already deposited as snow.
A good example is the refrigerator, wherein if a plump tomato is left in circulating air, it appears shriveled after some time due to loss of water.
Similarly hot air can also be devastating for the epidermis, robbing it of its moisture as it happens in desert regions.
Pollutants, smoke, dust and high levels of ozone can be causes of dry skin condition.
Lack of balanced diet along with malnutrition results in xeroderma.
Direct sunlight by its heating effect dehydrates the epidermis.
Longer exposure also damages the inner dermis cells affecting their functions in moisturizing the epidermis.
The deeper collagen and elastin tissues are also damaged due to long exposures to sunlight; this causes wrinkles and increase in surface area for evaporation.
Sunstroke and heatstroke leads to xeroderma.

Dry skin causes: low humidity induced by air-conditioning and heating

When there is low humidity (low concentration of moisture in air) epidermis may easily lose its moisture, especially when the protective mantle is damaged or disturbed.
Apart from winter, reasons of low humidity can be due to air-conditioning, central heating, fireplaces, space heaters and furnaces.
In these situations the conditions can be greatly improved by installation of humidifiers.

Dry skin causes: frequent baths and chemicals in water

Bath tends to remove the protective mantle of the epidermis.
However to keep our skin from excess of sebum, dead cells and bacteria bath is required.
Too frequent baths or showers remove much of the protecting sebum layers resulting in xerosis conditions.
Hot baths and bathing for long time also damages the lipid barriers.
Heavily chlorinated bath water or swimming pool can also damage the protective layer leading to xerosis.

Dry skin causes: detergents, harsh soaps, shampoos, wrong moisturizers and makeup

Most of the bath soaps and detergents are alkaline in nature.
The protective lipid layer of the epidermis is acidic in nature and it gets neutralised and damaged by the harsh alkaline soaps.
Most of the anti-bacterial preparations, deodorants and shampoos are made to give the proclaimed results, but are devastating for the protective lipid layer.
Use of unsuitable cleansers, toners, moisturizers and make-up are major reasons for xeroderma.
Cosmetics made for oily skin conditions when applied on normal epidermis may take away extra moisture and oil causing xerosis.
Many of the chemical ingredients in cosmetics can be the causes of xeroderma.
Mineral oils and pH balancers damage acid mantle protecting the epidermis.

Dry skin causes: aging process

With old age the collagen and elastin tissues become thinner; adding to this condition is the decreased out put of sebum due declining androgen secretion.
The loss of sebum layer leads to xerosis conditions in the aged.

Dry skin causes: hypothyroidism and hormonal imbalance

Thyroid disorder like hypothyroidism causes decrease in the production of thyroid hormones.
The activity of the sebaceous glands and sweat glands is reduced in the absence of thyroid hormones and causes scaly skin.

Hormonal imbalance also causes dry skin.
Many women experience oily or dry skin conditions at some stage of their pregnancy due to changing hormonal profile.
Persons with affected androgen production experience lowered sebum production and xerosis.
Hormonal imbalances of progesterone and estrogen during menopause drastically reduces the sebum production.

Dry skin causes: genetic factors, diseases and skin ailments

Many people are genetically prone to xerosis.
Due to certain genetic diseases androgen production is reduced resulting in xerosis.
Ichthyoses are mostly genetic skin disorders. All these disorders are characterised by thickened, flaky or scaly epidermis.
The most common among them is ichthyosis vulgaris accounting for nearly 95% of cases.
In such genetic disorders even infants can have severe dry skin.
Diseases, especially skin diseases, lead to xerosis. Kidney ailments, diabetes, auto-immune diseases, sarcoidosis, chemical poisoning, rubbing of chemicals like alcohol and kerosene, Anorexia Nervosa, HIV/AIDS, Sjogren's syndrome, Hodgkins' disease, cancer, chronic diarrhea, pituitary deficiency, allergies, seborrhea, eczema, lichen infection, dermatitis, fungal skin infections and psoriasis are major medical causes of xerosis.
Sebaceous glands

Certain antihistamines, antispasmodics, retinoids, cholesterol lowering drugs (niacin) and diuretics can lead to dry skin.

Lack of exercise, lack of sleep and poor blood circulation are some of the causes of dry skin.

• Home
• Index

The wonder super food olive oil for skin care - beauty tips

Types of olive oil → Nutrition → Olive health benefits → For skin care → For hair care → Moisturizer → Beauty tips

Olive oil has immense uses for skin care and its health.

The benefits of olive oil for skin can be fully reaped by eating it and also applying it.

Jeanne Calment, a French lady with the longest documented life span of 122 years and 164 days was believed to have attributed her youthful appearance and her longevity to the wonders of the super food olive oil.
Jeanne Calment said that she used to pour virgin olive oil on her food and to rub it into her skin and care for it.
The secret of the beauty of the women of the Mediterranean region is their reliance on this super food as one of the essential food items and their application of olive oil to skin to moisturise it.
The use of this extract enhance the glow of the skin. They applied the extra virgin olive oil on the body to remove stretch marks.
Olive oil is commonly used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and soaps and as a fuel for traditional lamps from time unknown.

The most traditional way of making this is by grinding olive fruits.

Green olive fruits produce bitter product, and overripe fruits produce rancid extract, so care is taken to make sure that the fruits are perfectly ripened.

The use of olive extract in food has tremendous positive effect on the skin care.

This contains a group of related natural products like polyphenols with potent antioxidant properties which reduce the risk of cancer.

Another use of it in food is the improvement of blood circulation due to its vasodilatory properties.

It is believed that consumption of this oil by pregnant women helps in the birth of healthy baby.

It contains high proportions of monounsaturated fats and evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that a higher proportion of monounsaturated fats in the diet is linked with a reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease.

Olive oil is one of the main ingredients in cosmetic preparations like soaps, hand lotions, lip balm, bath applications, shampoo, massage applications, soak for nails, dandruff treatment, etc.

Use of extra virgin olive oil for skin care, because of its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids, reduces the photo aging (dermatoheliosis) by reducing the oxidative damage by Ultra violet rays in the sunlight.

Olive oil cleansing method (OCM) for skin

This is a method to clean our face using a mix of extra virgin olive oil and Castoroil.

Sometimes coconut oil or sunflower oil are used for blending. Usually equal proportions of Castoroil and olive extract are used.

For greasy skin the proportion of olive extract is reduced. This mix is rubbed gently on to epidermis for two to three minutes.

Then a fairly warm and wet wash towel is dabbed over the face till it cools.

Then a towel is used to wipe off the excess of this mix. Then use one or two drops of olive oil for moisturising the skin.

In this olive extract OCM for skin care, many beneficial effects like reduction in acne and black heads, softening of the epidermis, removal of the dead debris and the improvement in fairness and tone are achieved.

The science behind this olive oil OCM is that by the use of soap, skin sebum gets removed and to compensate the body produces more of it in normal cases.

The excess production of skin sebum leading to greasy epidermis is due to hormones and intake of excess calories in all its forms like fried foods, ice creams, use of excess fat in food preparations etc..

By OCM the natural body lipids remain and with the enhanced effect of olive oil the skin gets nourished and moisturised.

Olive oil is preferred for removing mascara. It makes the skin around the eye healthy and reduces the dark circles.

Acne vulgaris on the forehead of an adolescent boy

Application on the skin around the eyes reduces dark circles

Homely tips for skin care with olive oil

Olive oil in hair and scalp skin care:

Apply olive extract on the head and massage and rub it into hair and scalp for ten minutes. Olive oil reduces the seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) and discourages lice.
The massage with it improves the circulation care the scalp and stimulates the hair follicles.
Olive oil massage of scalp reduces hair fall, controls dry hair and split ends and functions as leave-in conditioner giving gloss to hair.

Olive oil for facial skin:

A moisturizing facial mask can be prepared with olive oil, honey, a teaspoon of lemon juice and an egg yolk. Blend them well and apply the cream to face and leave it for about 15 to 30 minutes.
Then rinse well with fairly warm water. Dab your face with clean towel and immediately apply two to three drops of it on the face to lock in the moisture.
 A paste of lemon juice and olive oil can be applied on facial skin and left overnight and the mild antibiotic properties of both lemon juice and olive oil will gradually clear up the acne.

Olive oil as skin shaving oil:

The use of shaving product is gaining popularity mainly due to lack of potentially harmful chemicals, better gliding properties and excellent moisturising effects.
 This can be prepared at home by adding equal quantities of olive extract and castoroil and blending them. For fragrance one or two drops of an essentialoils can be added.
 Because of better gliding properties less cuts and nicks are experienced. Due to moisturising effect of olive oil no burning sensation is experienced.
 Instead of being covered by foam you can see the area of the skin where you are shaving.

Olive oil for lips skin:

Lip balm can be prepared by adding equal parts of olive oil and molten bee wax and blending them.
If the consistency is harder a few drops of coconutoil can be added. Application of this balm will care for lips making them smooth and soft.
Lip balm can heal chapped lips

Application of this balm can help in the healing of the chapped lips and give a soothing feeling.

Avoid licking lips as licking them can remove moisture from the lips and you can end up with chapped lips. Saliva on the chapped lips can further aggravate the irritation and burning feeling.

For immediate relief from burning sensation apply olive oil on the chapped lips.

Olive oil for nails and skin care:

Nails just like skin can dry out, break, peel and get infected. We have to care for them to keep them healthy.

Brittle nails (Onychorrhexis) is a condition in which nails loose their pliability and become brittle and break off easily.

This may be due to diseases like hypothyroidism and anemia, chemicals in nail polish remover and excessive use of strong soap and detergents.

Blend this and castor oil in equal proportions and warm the mix.

Soak the nails in this olive mix and massage the finger tips and the nails and take care of them. This will soften and strengthen the nails. After ten minutes rinse and wipe them dry and apply olive extract to lock in the moisture.

Olive oil for skin of hands and feet:

Apply it for skin dryness. Apply and massage on dry areas like elbows, knees, ankles and heels.

Application on these dry areas will moisurise them and remove dark marks gradually.

Dry and cracked feet respond well to it. Apply olive oil and massage the feet before going to bed. Wear cotton socks so that it does not get wiped out during sleep.

Repeat the same process for dry hands. You can find the effect in two or three days. Your hands and feet will have smooth skin.

Olive oil for skin care after exposure to sun:

Avoid long exposures to sun and care for your health. Long exposure to sun light, apart from removing the moisture, can lead to skin cancer.

If you get exposed to sunlight for long, on reaching shade immediately apply the extract on the exposed parts so that the damage to the skin is minimal.

Please note that olive oil does not function as sun screen. It can only reduce the bad effects of sun exposure on the skin and take care of it from free radicals damage.

Olive oil for skin care in bath:

Add several drops of this super food in your bath water as softner to achieve soft texture. Regular use can prevent wrinkles. Take care as bath tub gets slippery on contact with this extract.
For further skin care tips and information, read the following posts.

1. The wonder super food spirulina for skin care.

Visit The dynamic nature - olive oil for further information on olive oil for skin care.

• Home
• Index

Skin care - Causes of oily skin - Sebaceous glands and sebum

Basic skin care routine → Oily skin causes - Sebum and sebaceous glands → Oily skin - treatment, cure and home remedies → Dry skin causes and care

Oily skin

Nature has given us a healthy skin lubricant, a water-proofing agent and a moisturizer in the form of an greasy and waxy substance called sebum.

Sebum is made of lipids (fats), wax and cell debris of dead lipid producing cells.

Sebum is produced by microscopic glands called sebaceous glands in the skin and helps in lubricating the epidermis and hair.

Sebaceous glands are distributed through out the body surface with the exception of palms and soles.

In individuals with oily skin, the sebum production is more pronounced on the face and that too on the forehead, around the nose and the chin area (T-zone) where the sebaceous glands are concentrated.

The inner side of the outer ear, neck, back and chest areas also can be problem areas.

In sebaceous glands, sebum is produced within the sebaceous cells and the greasy substance is released when the cells burst.

Apart from cell debris, sebum consists of sapienic acid, squaline, free fatty acids, triglycerides and wax monoesters.

The white, waxy, cheesy substance covering the skin of newborns called 'Vernix caseosa' is mostly the secretions of the sebaceous glands of the fetus.

Causes of oily skin

This useful and welcome sebum secretion, due to various causes, gets produced in excess.

This excess sebum causes dull, thick, shiny and oily skin.

This accumulates dirt and grime and the pores get enlarged and become visible giving coarse look.

With clogging of pores, pimples and blackheads usually form.

A good thing about the oily skin is that it ages slowly and is less prone to wrinkle formation.

Many factors like, hormone levels, puberty, pregnancy, oral pills for birth-control, diet, use of cosmetics, hot and humid weather and certain disease conditions may become the causes of excess sebaceous glands activity and excess sebum production.

Oily skin causes: genetic inheritance

In most cases, hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands is brought about by the genetic factors.

People of the Mediterranean region having olive skin with dark hair are found to have more instances of excess sebum production when compared to light colored people of Scots or Scandinavian descent.

If the parents are having hyper active sebaceous glands, then the odds are that the children will also have excess sebum production from their puberty onwards.

Except taking actions to prevent aggravation nothing much can be done in such cases as it is pre-programmed in genes.

With advance of old age such people get relief with reduction in the sebaceous glands activity.

However the health care efforts can change the conditions from a face dotted with big pores, blackheads and pimples to a glossy pleasant face.

Oily skin causes: hormones and their imbalances

Hormone production and fluctuation of hormone levels causes higher sebaceous glands activity and sebum production.

There can be genetic mark up for greater production of certain hormones.

The hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a metabolite of testosterone hormone appears first at puberty in both boys and girls.

During adolescence, this androgenic hormone apart from stimulating the development of secondary sexual characteristics also causes the growth and enlargement of sebaceous glands.

This leads to sufficient and normal production of sebum leading glossy youthful appearance.

When this hormone is produced in higher levels than normal, or when the sebaceous glands become hyper-sensitive to normal levels of DHT hormone, the real problem starts and causes excess production sebum by the sebaceous glands, resulting in oily skin.

Mensuration cycle also affects and fluctuates DTH levels and causes acne prone greasy epidermis with the rise of progesterone.

Oily skin causes: pregnancy, menopause and birth control pills

Pregnant women are more prone to get over active sebaceous glands and acne.

This is brought about by rapid hormonal changes the body is undergoing during pregnancy.

Oily skin and acne are at the worst in the first trimester.

With the progress of pregnancy the estrogen levels increase and the sebum eases up.

There are a few lucky women for whom pregnancy clears up their persistent teenage greasy face and acne.

Similarly during menopause the female body goes through hormonal changes and causes patches of oily skin and pimples to appear.

Especially women undergoing hormone replacement therapy should watch out for outbreaks of sebaceous glands activity and acne.

Taking birth control pills changes the normal hormone profile. In some instances it increases the androgen activity and results excess sebum production.

Oily skin causes: diet

There is a greater chances for getting oily or dry skin when our diet is not properly balanced with macro and micro nutrients.

The excess consumption of carbohydrates and fats, which we get in junk food, causes excess storage of fats in the body and obesity and trigger sebaceous glands and excess sebum production.

It is found that persons suffering from vitamin B2 deficiency develops hyper active sebaceous glands.

Oily skin causes: cosmetics

Constant and excessive use of cosmetics causes sebaceous glands to be hyper active, producing more sebum and the resultant oily skin.

Synthetic skin care products must be used with care as they can induce sebaceous glands.

Greasy cosmetics have been found to worsen the problem of oily skin.

Harsh soaps and cosmetic products based on alcohol aggravate oily skin.

Intensive use of cosmetics to remove sebum can make the sebaceous glands to produce more of sebum.

Oily skin causes: environment

Hot and humid weather also induces excess activity of sebaceous glands.

Sebaceous glands

Constant sweating also causes the sebaceous glands to over produce sebum and causes oily skin. Pollution also can irritate the skin and result in oily skin as an effort of the body to protect itself.

Oily skin causes: certain diseases

Certain diseases like Polycystic ovary syndrome, Pachydermoperiostosis, Forbes-Albright syndrome, HAIR-AN Syndrome, Acromegaly and Fowler-Christmas-Chapple syndrome have been found to be causes of oily skin by making the sebaceous glands overproduce.

Stress and mental tension has been found to induce sebaceous glands to produce more sebum and causes oily skin.

• Home
• Index

Basic skin care - skin care routine

Basic skin care routine → Oily skin causes → Oily skin - treatments

Basic skin care in a routine manner is very essential for healthy and youthful appearance.

Our skin is the most exposed organ of our body getting continuously harmed and damaged in a routine manner in our daily activities.

This continuous routine exposure to elements coupled with various internal factors causes it to loose its tenor, develop wrinkles, dryness and dermatitis and age.
Taking daily basic care as a routine helps in retaining the healthy appearance of the skin for longer time. In basic care to keep skin healthy we have to work on three aspects.
The first and foremost of basic care being protecting it from damages and also controlling damages (This topic is discussed in detail in another post). The second aspect of basic care will be to confirm to a daily routine of actions.
The third aspect of basic care will be to treat and overcome the effects of damages (This topic is discussed in detail in another post).

Basic skin care routine

Skin formation is a continuous routine process and the uppermost layer (epidermis) dies and is sloughed off continuously. Being an exposed organ it picks up dust and dirt, especially when sweating or wearing make up.

These dirt particles keep accumulating on it and along with dead cells mix with the sweat and sebaceous gland secretions forming a filthy foul smelling layer.
The fungi and bacteria thrive well and start growing, in these moist oily conditions giving the skin bad odor and can cause infections.
So we require to clean our skin very often to get rid of these debris and to keep it healthy. Now the question is how we go about cleaning and taking care of it. There are tried out ways for basic routine cleaning like cleansing, toning, moisturizing and exfoliating.

Routine basic care: cleansing and washing

Cleaning of skin regularly is a basic routine required to remove the dirt from accumulating and choking the pores.
Care must be taken to use very mild soaps as harsh soaps with high pH have the drying effect on the skin robbing it of its natural moisture and removing its acid mantle.
As the basic pH of the top layer is around 4.5 - 6, the soap also must be around the same values and never above neutral levels (pH 7).
Moisten the skin with warm water. Take care to avoid cold or hot water as this tend to dry the natural moisture and stress the cells.
Work up soap lather with your palms and massage the lather on the skin.
Take care not to rub the soap bar directly as pores may get choked by the soap.
Rinse your face thoroughly with splashes of water or with wash towel. Take care to see that no remnants of soap remain.

If soap sticks on and then dries up, it will produce reactions. As a routine use a soft towel to blot and dry the skin. Alternatively you can use mild natural cleansers available at drug stores.
As a routine cleansing once in a day before bed will do. Cleansing too often can also make your skin dry.

In the morning rinse your face with lukewarm water.

Basic care routine: toning

You can use skin toner to tighten it and close the pores by its astringents.
Toner makes up for the loss of acid mantle during cleansing, softens any persistent cleanser and restores the pH balance.
Avoid toners with alcohol base as over long use they may affect the elasticity by affecting the collagen below the epidermis.
 If you are going to use products having active ingredients, it is better not to use the toners as they may reduce and prevent penetration into skin.

Basic care routine: moisturizing

Routine application of moisturizers is one of the basic steps in keeping our skin healthy, plush and supple. People with oily skin have lesser requirement of moisturizing as the sebum itself locks in moisture and function as moisturizer.
People with dry skin require to moisturize with oil-water emulsions.
The moisturizers with petroleum products (mineral oils) must be avoided as they may give harmful effects on the long run.
If persons with oily skin require to moisturise they may use oil free humectants like honey, collagen, glycerin and glycol.

Basic care routine: exfoliation

Exfoliation is a basic step in keeping the skin free from the debris of dead cells. In nature, skin undergoes exfoliation continuously in a routine manner.

Young people exfoliate their outer layer of dead epidermis (stratum corneum) faster and only a thin layer of stratum corneum remains.
Their epidermis cleans up in routine cleansing care and do not require to exfoliate by any further treatments. However people in middle age have this exfoliation process slowdown, affecting basic cleansing care and have thicker layer of stratum corneum remaining, giving the skin a dull and lifeless appearance.
Persons with very oily epidermis also tend to accumulate thicker layer of stratum corneum and require routine care and exfoliation.
Exfoliation, once or twice in a week will suffice for most of the people. Depending on the resultant condition the frequency may be reduced or increased. α hydroxy acids, β hydroxy acids, enzyme peels, retinoids, scrubs and certain microdermabrasion methods are popular exfoliation basic skin care procedures available.

Beauty salon (enlarge) Instead of starting on basic routine with any product or treatment for exfoliation on your own, consult a dermatologist at least once for advice on best exfoliation method for basic routine care for the type of skin you have.

Following above routine of basic care, you can have healthy and youthful skin appearance.

• Home
• Index

Image: DaquellaManera

Skin care - Wrinkle free skin care - elasticity of skin

Wrinkle free skin is a sign of youth and health. Care must be taken in our food habits and in our lifestyle to keep skin wrinkle free and also to maintain its elasticity.

Elasticity of skin and its care

Skin is the largest organ of our body, accounting for about 15% of our body weight.
Elastin and collagen are two proteins concentrated in the dermis region of our skin giving it texture, tone, elasticity and wrinkle free appearance.
Elastin is a protein in connective tissue and it helps the tissues to resume their earlier free state after stretching (elasticity).
Elastin makes the skin to return to its original free position when pinched.
Elastin is composed primarily of amino acids alanine, glycine, valine and proline.
Elastin has more elasticity than collagen. Along with collagen it forms the structure basis and matrix of the dermis giving it elasticity (making it wrinkle free).
Collagen is the strongest protein in our body, giving our body and dermis their durability, strength and elasticity.
The subcutaneous fat just under the dermis further gives it its filled out wrinkle free look.
With aging the subcutaneous fat gets reduced giving the skin a loose and flabby look.
Collagen begins to deteriorate with aging and the dermis starts to thin out and sag loosing its elasticity and wrinkle free look.
With aging elastin also starts to break down and elasticity is lost.

Wrinkle free skin care

Young skin is typically wrinkle free and show elasticity as we see in young children and healthy young adults.
With aging slowly it stops being wrinkle free. Understanding the processes involved in the damages to its structure altering its wrinkle free state we can slow down its aging process.
If we take the following simple efforts we can slow down the wrinkle formation and loss of elasticity.

First rule in wrinkle free skin care is reducing the exposure to sun

Take care to avoid exposure to sun as sunlight contains harmful Ultraviolet rays which are the root cause of aging and loss of elasticity of the dermis.
Though we may not realise the bad effects immediately, over years it has a devastating effect on the elasticity and tone of dermis.
Take care to avoid visits to the tanning beds as these also produce the same bad effects, wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
Take care to use sun-shield like sunscreens to reduce the exposure.
Take care to wear hat, use umbrella and some protective clothing if you have to go out in the sun.

Cutting down alcohol, smoking and coffee is required for wrinkle free skin care

Take care to reduce alcohol as it interferes with antioxidant activities and promotes cell damage and loss of elasticity.
You might have noticed alcoholists look older than their real age and have wrinkles on their skin.
Also take care to stop smoking and reduce coffee in take as these also interfere with collagen synthesis and antioxidant utilisation by the body.
Apart from causing cancer and lung diseases, smoking increases the free radical activity in the body and skin and leads to oxidative damages of the cells.
Old woman with young baby boy

Right food for wrinkle free skin care

Finally what we consume is going to show up on our body especially our dermis.
Take care to reduce fats in food and avoid junk food as these add to freeradical activities in the body.
Consume fruits, fruit juices and vegetables to get vitamins and minerals in sufficient quantities to take care of elasticity of your dermis.
Take care to increase the intake of nutrients containing antioxidants.
Take care to follow these precautions and preventive measures to protect the elasticity of your skin and keep it wrinkle free for a longer time.

• Home
• Index

Skin care: vitamin A for skin care

Vitamin A is a group of organic compounds having similar biological and chemical activities. Vitamin A is fat soluble vitamin and is essential for skin and vision care. Found in food items of animal origin Retinol is the main easily usable form of vitamin A.

Role in vision care

There are four kinds of photo pigments contained in human retina and they can store vitamin A compounds.
The retinol form has a special role in vision cycle. Rhodopsin, one of the retinal pigments is contained in rod cells of the retina. Rhodopsin is needed for rod cells to detect small amounts of light and to see black and white. Deficiency leads to night blindness by inhibiting the reformation of rhodopsin.

Skin care and immunity care

In the retinoic acid form, Vitamin A, plays an important role in gene transcription. It has active function in maintaining normal skin health and is a ingredient in skin care products. Several immunity connected activities are stimulated by it . It primes up the white blood cells to increase the responses to antigens and has anti-viral activity. It has a positive role in preventing shrinkage of thymus gland.

Care in food habits to prevent vitamin A deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency can occur in adults and in children. Lack of care in consuming adequate quantities of the vitamin’s source foods can lead to primary or secondary levels of deficiency. In new born, early weaning can lead to its deficiency unless care is taken to supplement it. In developing countries, the high incidence of blindness, viral infections, and child mortality due lack of care in food habits leading to its deficiency. In its deficiency the health of the skin, the elasticity of skin, hair, eyes, and immune system are affected. Further poor appetite, bone development abnormalities, and growth retardation are associated with insufficient intake of vitamin A. Hyperkeratosis of skin, a goose pimple like look of the skin caused by excessive production of keratin that blocks hair follicles. The skin becoming dry, scaly and rough and hair is lost.
With proper supplementation and skin care efforts normalcy of the skin can be achieved. Night blindness and total loss of vision can occur in prolonged deficiency by setting in of the condition called Xerophthalmia where in cornea of the eye and conjunctiva undergo change.

Toxicity

Being fat soluble, vitamin A is absorbed and stored in body when in excess.
This excess presence can cause nausea, jaundice, pains and general physical and mental debility. In-take in the form of fruits and vegetables does not usually cause toxicity.
Supplements in the form of tablets and animal sources have to monitored and care must be taken to avoid overdose.

Sources of vitamin A

Animal source of this nutrient include eggs, liver, products of milk fat. Carrots, colored fruits like mangoes, spinach and red pepper are found to abound in vitamin A.

• Home
• Index

Olive oil moisturizer - Homemade skin moisturizer

Home › Homemade moisturizers › Homemade olive oil skin moisturizer

Olive oil is an excellent natural skin moisturizer, which can be formulated at home. It is devoid of all side-effects and harms attributed to chemical moisturizer.

What is a moisturizer?

• Moisturizer is mixture of ingredients designed especially to keep epidermis smooth, soft and elastic.
• It increases the water content of the epidermis by hydration and reduce loss of water from it by evaporation.
• Apart from preventing and curing dry conditions, moisturizer also improve texture and tone of the skin.
• It protects the sensitive and
  tender skin and masks the blemishes and imperfections.
• They have multiple roles like absorbing water from surroundings and retaining it (humectant) and filling the space between the dermal cells (emollients) and giving smooth texture.

Olive oil as moisturizer

• Olive oil is obtained by crushing and grinding the fruits. It yields pure extract which is rich in antioxidants.
• Pure extra virgin olive oil by itself is a good moisturizer.
• This extra virgin extract on adding to other natural homemade ingredients enhances their hydrating functions.
• Moisturizers made with extra virgin extract do not normally clog the pores.
• This is similar to sebum and penetrates the skin exceptionally well.
• By deep penetration this homemade blend stimulates collagen synthesis making the dermis firm and supple.
• This homemade blend does not give the greasy feel on application.
• Homemade moisturizer neutralizes the free radicals in the epidermis and dermis and protects it from ageing and wrinkles.

Homemade olive oil moisturizer

• Moisturizer blend # 1: Clean your face with a cleanser. Dab it dry with a clean cloth. Do not allow the face to dry out. Within three minutes take 2-3 drops olive oil on your palm and apply it on the face and neck evenly. It retains the moisture and softens the epidermis.
• Moisturizer blend # 2: If your skin feels a bit dry take equal volumes of oil and water and blend them well. Apply this mix and after ten minutes dab lightly to remove excess mixture. Then apply three drops of the extra virgin extract to lock-in moisture.
• Olive oil blend # 3: If your face is very dry then try the following method. Add pure honey and olive oil in equal proportion (1/2 teaspoon each) and blend well. Apply this mixture on the face and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Then wash thoroughly with clean water and dab to dry. Immediately apply 2-3 drops of the extra virgin extract to retain moisture. Honey being a good humectant will hold more water in the epidermis and the dryness may disappear within a few days.
• Moisturizer blend # 4: Alternatively you can take equal volumes of olive and almond oils and blend them well with a little beeswax after heating them. Apply this homemade cream on the face and leave it for 1/2 hour as face mask. Then wash well and apply three drops of it to retain moisture.
• Blend # 5: If you face has excess sebum, you can blend one tablespoon of olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice, apply and leave it overnight on face. The next day wash well and apply 3 drops of the extra virgin olive extract to retain moisture. This homemade olive oil moisturizer removes only the excess face sebum secretions and does not deplete the skin of its natural secretions.

Related topics:
Homemade skin whitening.
Tactile sensitivity.
Rhinophyma treatment.
Methemoglobinemia treatment.
Causes of chronic hives.
Common sensitive conditions.
What is a Hemangioma?
Types of urticaria.
Fordyce spots granules.
Raynaud's disease.
Treatments for dry skin.
Baby milk spots.
White spots on children.

Interesting posts:
Dry skin moisturizers.
Homemade face moisturizer.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis
Nevus depigmentosus.
Causes of skin sensitivity.
Pityriasis alba spots.
Malassezia furfur fungus.
Oily skin treatment.
Information about albinism disorder.
Blisters on hands and feet.

Current topic:Homemade olive oil skin moisturizer.

Sitemap 3 - Vitamins and Skin Care

Home > Sitemap > Vitamins and skin care

Vitamins are organic compounds having diverse biochemical functions and are required for the function and care of our body organs including skin. Vitamins are classified by their biological and chemical activity and thirteen vitamins are universally recognized. They are essential for normal growth, development and function of bone, muscle and other tissues. Some them can be stored by the body and some of them are required on daily basis.

Deficiencies of vitamins occur primarily due to our food not containing sufficient amounts and secondarily due an underlying disorder that prevents or limits the absorption or use of the organic compound. Insufficiency or lack of these vital organic components in the body may cause deficiency diseases affecting organ systems. Care should be taken to avoid overdoses which usually happens with supplements and may cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and rashes.

Ball and stick model of Vit-C
L-ascorbic acid molecule C₆H₈O₆

Oral and topical use of vitamins has been found give many benefits in dermal care. The antioxidant benefits of vit-C and vit-E help in preventing wrinkles and skin aging. Vit-A is useful in the control of acne and preventive care. Vit-K is believed to be useful in the prevention of dark circles under the eyes.

Detailed information about each of them is given in the following list of web pages.

• Vitamins
• Vit- A maintains dermal health
• Vit- B complex tones up skin health

1. Vit- B₁ deficiency causes sensitivity
2. Vit- B₂ (riboflavin) deficiency can cause wrinkles
3. Vit- B₃ (niacin) deficiency can cause inflammation, canker sores and eruptions (rashes)
4. Vit- B₅ (pantothenic acid) is essential for healthy skin
5. Vit- B₆ (pyridoxine, Pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxamine) deficiency can cause dermatitis
6. Vit- B₇ (biotin) deficiency causes hair fall and loss
7. Vit- B₉(folic acid) deficiency causes dermatitis
8. Vit- B₁₂ (Cyanocobalamin) deficiency causes white spots

• Vit- C is helpful in healing scars
• Vit- C skin care benefits
• Topical vit- C uses
• Vit- D is produced photochemically in the epidermis
• Vitamin E is essential for skin care as a potent antioxidant
• The vitamin for coagulation is Vitamin K

• Home
• Sitemap 1
• Sitemap 2
• Sitemap 3