Showing posts with label natural. Show all posts
Showing posts with label natural. Show all posts

Friday, February 21

Melasma natural treatment - Melasma home remedies

Melasma natural treatment and home remedies for melasma
Melasma natural treatments aim to inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity, to aid excessive skin turnover or to block transfer of melanosomes to the keratinocytes.
A number of organic compounds present in plant sources have these melanogenesis inhibitive or desquamation properties. Natural treatment for melasma can be tried out with many of these ingredients at home.

Traditional natural melasma treatments

All over the world there are continuous efforts to find ways to lighten melasma hyperpigmentation. Traditionally many home ingredients such as lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, turmeric paste, onion juice, oatmeal, honey, papaya paste, horseradish juice and yogurt are applied separately or in the combination of two or more as natural treatment for melasma.

Lemon juice for melasma
Lemon juice application is a well known traditional natural melasma treatment. Lemon juice is about 5% to 6% citric acid. Citric acid is an alpha hydroxy acid and is an excellent peel. Lemon juice promotes epidermal turnover and also skin desquamation. Fresh lemon juice can be applied directly on the brown discoloration patches once a day. Lemon juice removes excess oil on the skin. Frequent use may cause dry skin. Moisturizer may be applied later to hydrate the skin.

melasma hyperpigmentation on the face
melasma on the face
Papaya paste or juice for melasma
Papaya paste contains papain, a protease, which breaks down the top layer of epidermis and helps in exfoliation. The dead cells and skin debris are removed by the paste. The paste may be removed and the face washed after ten minutes. In this melasma natural treatment care must taken not add any latex from the fruit skin, as it may irritate the skin.

Oatmeal and honey scrub
Oatmeal is a natural skin scrub and helps in exfoliation. Apply the mix on the face with gentle circular motion. Remove the mask after ten minutes by washing with tepid water. Honey is a natural moisturizer.

Apple cider vinegar for melasma
Apple cider vinegar application is the traditional natural melasma treatment. Apple cider vinegar contains dilute acetic acid and malic acid. These acids stimulate skin turnover and also have bleaching effect. Apple cider vinegar is diluted with equal quantity of water and the solution is applied on the brown patches once a day.

Turmeric paste
Turmeric powder is made from the processed rhizomes of Curcuma longa (aka turmeric plant). The natural active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin is a potent antioxidant and help in the skin desquamation. Turmeric paste is made by mixing the turmeric powder with milk. Turmeric paste is applied daily for melasma treatment.

Horseradish juice
Horseradish juice is extracted from the horseradish roots. The juice is directly applied on the melasma spots. It promotes exfoliation of the skin and natural lightening of the melasma patches.

Plant sources with tyrosinase inhibiting compounds

Tyrosinase is a copper-containing mono-oxygenase enzyme responsible for the conversion of tyrosene amino acid into dopa (3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl-ananine) and synthesis of melanin pigment in the skin. The excessive pigment production is the main cause of melasma. A number of organic compounds from plant origin such as aloesin, linoleic acid, arbutin, ellagic acid and epigallocatechin gallate have been found to be tyrosinase inhibitors. These compounds can be effectively used in natural melasma treatment.

Aloe vera gel melasma treatment
Aloe plant gel contains an natural organic compound known as aloesin, (2-acetonyl-8-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-7-hydroxy-5-methylchromone). Aloesin inhibits tyrosinase enzyme activity. Aloe vera gel penetrates skin slowly and tyrosine hydroxylase and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) oxidase activities of tyrosinase are inhibited in the melanocytes.

Grape seed oil treatment
Grape seed oil is extracted from the seeds of grape seeds. Grape seed oil is widely used in the cosmetic preparations and is the preferred carrier oil. Grape seed oil is a efficient moisturizer. Grape seed oil contains high concentration of linoleic acid which functions as a tyrosinase inhibitor and helps in resolving melasma.

Evening primrose oil treatment
Evening primrose oil is the oil extracted from the seeds of the evening primerose plant. Evening primrose oil is a traditional treatment of skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Evening primrose oil contains high concentration of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid). Linolenic acid is a proven natural melasma treatment.

Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berries
Hippophae rhamnoides (aka common sea-buckthorn) is found on fixed dunes and sea cliffs. Hippophae rhamnoides is a traditional herbal plant with many medicinal uses attributed to its berries. Barkat Ali Khan et al, in their study have found that applying the extract of the berries is an effective melasma natural treatment. The effect is due to catechins, gallic acid, flavonoids, quercetin, organic acids present in the extract.

Golden Shower plant (Cassia fistula) pods
Cassia fistula is a common ornamental plant in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Its flower is the national flower of Thailand and the state flower of Kerala in India. It is used as a natural medicine. Barkat Ali Khan et al in their study on whitening efficacy have found that the extracts of the dried pods of the plant show melasma lightening effects. The effects are due to natural catechins, gallic acid, flavonoids, quercetin, organic acids present in the extract.

Bearberry extract treatment
Arbutin is extracted from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (aka bearberry plant). Arbutin is a glycoside and is a glycosylated hydroquinone with tyrosinase inhibiting properties. Arbutin is used in skin lightening cosmetic preparations. It is an effective natural treatment for melasma. Arbutin is also found in wheat and the pear skins.

Green tea treatment
Green tea is rich in antioxidant polyphenols including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and ellagic acid. Both EGCG and ellagic acids are known to inhibit tyrosinase and reduce skin pigment production. Concentrated extract of green tea obtained by boiling it in water can be applied directly to reduce melasma hyperpigmentation.


References:
1.Ball Arefiev KL, Hantash BM. Advances in the treatment of melasma: a review of the recent literature. Dermatol Surg. 2012 Jul;38(7 Pt 1):971-84.
2.Barkat Ali Khan, Naveed Akhtar, Irshad Hussain, Khwaja Asad Abbas, Akhtar Rasul. Whitening efficacy of plant extracts including Hippophae rhamnoides and Cassia fistula extracts on the skin of Asian patients with melasma. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2013 August; 30(4): 226–232.
Picture source: http://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/File:Melasmablemish.jpg
Picture author: Elord from Wikidocs | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
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Tuesday, November 12

Natural makeup application tips

Natural makeup application tips
Nowadays makeup application is being done in a more scientific manner and the trend is to give natural look to the skin with added protection.
The very basic requirement for looking good is to have a healthy body and of course healthy skin. When the skin is healthy the requirement to use makeup will be less.

Eating balanced food, avoiding fats and fast foods, drinking sufficient water and exercising regularly can go a long way in improving the general health. Following a regular skin care regimen will help in maintaining a healthy skin. Regular cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing is very important for keeping good natural looks.

The very purpose of the application is to bring out the best of your natural beauty. Makeup is, definitely, not to look like somebody else. Proper makeup application is an art by itself. Many women hesitate to apply them fearing that they may go wrong. However it is very easy to learn, if we understand the science behind it.

The best face makeup

The very first step in face application is to know the type of skin you have. There five types of skin namely, normal, oily, dry, mixed and sensitive . Each skin type requires a different approach in makeup. Oily skin require removal of excess oil before application.

Dry skin requires regular moisturization and periodic exfoliation to keep the skin soft and supple and scale free. In case of mixed skin the oily areas have to be blotted to remove face oil and the dry areas have to be generously moisturized. For tender skin, the cause of skin sensitivity has to be known before using any cream as there could be flareup of the condition.

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How to do natural look makeup

Keep your skin healthy and consult a dermatologist to get rid of acne and other skin blemishes. Regularly cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize your skin. The cardinal natural makeup application tips is 'lesser the better'. Natural look is not 'no makeup' look. You have to aim for the appreciation of your beauty and not of your makeup.

To bring out your beauty you may be required to only remove some extra face oil or conceal some of the blemishes and fine lines. If you have dark circles and blemishes use a concealer sparingly. Smear the right foundation sparingly but blend well to avoid streaks. The foundation must merge with your skin tone.

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Makeup application tips

Many professional training institutions have sprung up giving exclusive training to beginners as well as professional artists. With right type of inclination and intelligence, the art of makeup can be learnt at home. With progression you will gain confidence evolve you own methods.

For getting that stunning look prepare your face well before application. Moisturize your face and wait for 10-15 minutes before makeup. You can use primer to even out the skin, specially in wrinkle areas. Use suitable brush or use finger tips to smear primer evenly on the face.

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Monday, February 25

Natural makeup tips - How to do natural look makeup

Home > How to apply natural look makeup - Natural makeup tips.
To apply makeup is to bring out the best of your natural looks. It is not to hide your natural self and look like somebody else.
Many women hesitate to apply makeup fearing that they may go wrong.

Well it is true that it will take sometime for learning and perfecting the tips about the use of correct products and colors for enhancing your beauty.

For people with skin sensitive to touch, a word of caution. Please consult a dermatologist to find out the cause of skin sensitivity and also test the natural ingredients before use.

On the very outset do not try to doll yourself up for parties and get into frustrations. Till you learn and perfect the art of enhancing your natural beauty by following the tips, leave these special occasions to professional experts. Make a beginning and apply makeup aiming to look natural for evenings and casual outings.

Tips for natural look

One important fact for getting that 'natural look' is to keep your skin healthy. To keep your skin healthy you have to eat healthy balanced food and avoid all junk fast food. Next you have to maintain skin hygiene by cleaning, cleansing, exfoliating and toning regularly with fixed daily and weekly schedules. Apply natural homemade face moisturizers regularly to keep your skin well-hydrated, supple and smooth. If you have skin conditions like acne consult a dermatologist for treatment. If you follow these tips, you will enhance your beauty and will be required to spend less time and money.

Cardinal natural makeup tip: "lesser the better"

Please note that natural look is not "no makeup" look. People must appreciate your beauty and not your makeup. Most important fact for being original is the sparing use of products. You will be required to only remove some extra face oil or conceal some of the blemishes and fine lines.

Tips for best face makeup

Use concealer sparingly to conceal dark circles and blemishes, only if necessary. Then apply the right foundation (which appears to merge with your skin tone) sparingly but blend well to avoid streaks. For making the foundation hold on, apply translucent powder. Lightly apply blush to apple area of your cheek; of course very sparingly.

Natural look tips for eyes

Consider your eye lashes. If they look thick and curled, you have no need of mascara or curling. If the lashes are sparse, very light or short, apply mascara to make them appear darker, thicker and longer. You can use an eye lash curler, if the lashes are very straight. If you apply mascara, for natural look apply colors closer to your lash color.

Apply eye liner very close to your lash line, almost into it and defining your eyes as they are. You may also use eye shadow, but go in for complementing neutral colors.

Tips for lips

Best color for you lips to have an attractive look will be the color of your finger tips when squeezed. You can also apply gloss of same color sparingly on the lip.

Simple makeup is easy to apply, maintain, less time consuming and at the same time brings out your hidden beauty. One most important thing to note is never to go to bed without washing your makeup off if you want to regain your natural look the next morning.
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Friday, February 15

Natural remedies for acne scars - How to lighten acne marks

Home > Types of acne scars > Natural remedies for acne marks - How to lighten acne scars

To lighten acne scars many natural remedies are available.
The golden rule for preventing acne scars is to get rid of acne in its early stage.
If you are left with skin discoloration and scars after acne eruptions, you can successfully lighten them. If there is only discoloration and milder acne scars, you can try homemade skin remedies. People having skin sensitivity have to take extra care while using natural ingredients.

For acne scars which are deep and severe, seeking help from a dermatologist is the best option. However medical remedies to lighten acne scars requires sufficient spare time for visiting clinic and also wherewithal, as most of the procedures are time consuming and expensive.

How natural products function as remedies for acne scars

Acne scars, while having epidermal concomitants, also involve dermis and are caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Exfoliation with natural products removes dead skin cells and debris from the surface of the skin and exposes the healthy new skin beneath. Fruit enzymes, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids present in natural products are used for exfoliation. These natural acne remedies to lighten scars work as keratolytic, antibiotic and comedolytic agents causing the top epidermal layer to lose its binding and shed more freely. They open up the pores and neutralize bacteria. They have greater bio-availability and by diminishing cellular cohesion between keratinocytes cells (corneocytes), induce formation of new stratum corneum. On reaching dermis, alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids have been found to induce increased production of mucopolysaccharides and collagen and thereby increase the thickness of skin.

Natural kitchen ingredients to lighten acne scars

  • Natural proteolytic fruit enzymes like papain and bromelain are available in papaya and pineapple respectively which lighten skin.
  • Alpha-hydroxy acids are a group of AHAs having natural properties to lighten acne blemishes.
  • Glycolic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, citric acid and tartaric acids are the AHAs with exfoliating properties.
  • Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid is again an excellent exfoliating agent used as one of the natural remedies to lighten skin.

Papaya and pineapple as natural acne remedies

Papaya contains natural proteolytic enzyme papain. Applying the juice of papaya loosens and removes the top most epidermal layer and lightens skin.
Pineapple juice contains the proteolytic enzyme bromelain. Apply either of the juices on the acne scars and allow it to work for 15 minutes. Then wash well with lukewarm water. Applying the juices twice a week remedies acne scars.

Acne remedies with sugarcane juice and oatmeal

Grind oatmeal into fine powder and add sufficient sugarcane juice to make it into a paste. Apply it on the face and using rotating movements scrub the face gently for five minutes. Then gently wash it clean with lukewarm water. Applying twice a week will help exfoliation and lighten acne scars. Oatmeal works as good gentle scrub and the glycolic acid present in sugarcane juice is an excellent exfoliating agent.

Lemon juice lightens and remedies acne scars

Lemon juice and other citrus fruit juices contain citric acid, an AHA. Apply lemon juice on the face and allow it to dry. after 15 minutes wash the face well with lukewarm water and dab it dry. Applying the juice twice a week remedies acne blemishes and lightens skin.

Natural remedies with yogurt for acne scars

When milk curdles due to the action of lactic acid bacilli, yogurt (sour milk) is formed and the sour taste is due to lactic acid, an AHA. Apply yogurt on the face and leave it to dry for 15 minutes. Then wash well with lukewarm water to remove yogurt and dab dry. Apply yogurt twice a week to lighten acne blemishes.

Natural remedies to lighten skin - grape juice 

Grape juice contains tartaric acid which is again an AHA. Apply grape juice on the face and allow it to dry for 15 minutes. Then rinse your face clean with lukewarm water to remove grape juice. Applying natural fresh grape juice twice a week lightens acne scars.

Malic acid in apples lightens acne scars

Apples have an alpha-hydroxy acid known as malic acid. Applying apple juice on the face helps in exfoliation and remedies blemishes. Apply apple juice twice a week to lighten acne scars.

Natural acne scars remedies with raisins

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid known for its comedolytic and exfoliating properties to lighten skin. Raisins (dried grapes) are found to contain natural salicylic acid in good proportions. Soak raisins in boiled water and then blend them to get a soft paste. Apply raisin paste on the face and leave it for 15 minutes. Then rinse your face well with lukewarm water to remove raisin paste and dab it dry. Apply raisin paste recipe twice a week to improve your skin condition.

Tomato lightens acne scars

Tomato juice contains salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid. Apply tomato juice daily on the face as one of the natural remedies to remove blemishes.

Blackberries and blueberries as natural remedies

Both these berries have salicylic acid in their juice. Apply twice a week to lighten acne macules.

Turmeric

Turmeric has salicylic acid. Applying daily on the face lightens and remedies acne macules. Turmeric also contains antibiotic factors. However after application and washing, turmeric leaves a pale yellow coloration to the skin.

Most of the alpha and beta hydroxy acids derived from natural plant sources are in low concentration and usually do not cause any side effects. However persons with sensitive skin and those who are prone to allergies should use the above recipes with caution. They should try the natural recipe in small area in the arm to test for allergy before using it on the face. Stop using the recipe immediately if there is skin irritation or inflammation.

To prevent acne blemishes, medication must be started at the earliest on the beginning of eruptions and must be continued to avoid recurrence. If acne scars are formed, to lighten them, natural remedies may be tried concurrently.
Current topic: Natural remedies to lighten acne scars.

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