Archive for the Smooth Complexion Category
Posted on November 30, 2011 with No Comments
November 30, 2011 – Atlanta, GA – Nourish Products, a leading manufacturer of skin and hair products based in Atlanta, GA, announced this week a new product to their line of herbal and natural products – Herbal Skin Toner.
We were able to get a sneak peak and trial of this new facial toner that compliments Nourish’s Herbal Face Wash. We weren’t disappointed. As toners go, we think its one of the best we have tried…it worked its wonders on those of us with oily skin, and its “no alcohol” formula was welcomed by those of us who have sensitive skin.
As the name implies, this is an herbal extract and natural oil based formula. Though the product has some synthetics such as Panthenol, it is rich in ingredients such as witch hazel, Melissa leaf, aloe, nettle leaf extract, and black willow – all carefully formulated (per the manufacturer) to clean pores, reduce bacteria, and reduce oiliness of oily-prone skin and facial tissue.
Natural, Herbal Formula for Oily Skin Problems!
Like many of the Nourish products, its not only natural-based, it contains no alcohol – a key for those using this toner to help clear acne. Many acne products – especially medications like Accutane – have a tendancy to severly dry skin in an effort reduce oil production – a main cause of acne. The active ingredients in Herbal Face Toner work to compliment each other and the aloe barbadensis and water base work well to naturally hydrate.
No Alcohol – And it Works!
When used with the Face Wash, Herbal Skin Toner should be applied lightly with a clean cotton swab or cloth after washing and rinsing your face. Generally there is no need to apply a moisturizer unless your skin becomes especially dry. One thing we do like about this product in particular is that you can use it several times per day. If you are like me, my skin becomes oily around lunch time and then again before I finish work. I tried it a couple of times a day and was pleased with the results. In all fairness, I doubt I’ll be carrying around a bottle all day, but it is great for a quick clean-up and refresh when I get home.
In fact, I have my son using it this week (who is sufering from a 16 year old breakout) and he applies in the morning, when he comes home from school and at night before he goes to bed. He hasn’t needed to moisturize his face and the acne looks measurably better.
Price-wise, Nourish’s Herbal Skin Toner is certainly in the range of similar products. In fact, I’d say it is on the low side considering it is a non-alcohol formula. In comparison, many products with similar ingredients are in the $20+ range. You can buy at SkinEnergizer for $16.75 and they generally discount to $14.99. When I checked the SkinEnergizer.com site today it was listed in their Deal of The Day section for $9.99…a bargain for this toner.
If you are looking for a face toner that does not have alcohol but is effective at cleaning oil, dirt, and bacteria, you should definitely give the new Herbal Skin Toner a try!
Posted on January 18, 2011 with No Comments
Research shows there is a better chance of green tea being applied to the skin (such as
green tea lotion) verses being
swallowed at which it might be able to prevent skin cancer. Research also shows that putting these chemicals into a lotion might work better at preventing skin cancer than using your everyday sun block. There have been numerous amounts of studies of skin benefits of green tea. Green tea appears to remove sun damage protection by quenching free radicals and minimizing inflammation rather than by blocking UV rays. Therefore, green tea may synergistically promote sun protection when used in combination to sunscreen.
What are some of the Green tea benefits? Green tea helps fight off the free radicals, free radicals are molecules that are missing an electron. In other words free radicals are oxygen that contain molecules that damage our DNA. Free radicals can form in ones skin for many different reasons, such as to much exposure to toxins. Patients who have been exposed to cancer have been treated with Green Tea, with its ability to fight cancer. Research is being preformed to see what types of cancer green tea will benefit and give the most promise too. Green tea has a high importance for us to live longer and healthier.
What about wrinkles, and other signs of aging? Could green tea lotion help? Considering the research that has been documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and topical green tea applications are more likely to slow down the development of some signs of aging. Whether green tea lotion can actually diminish wrinkles is far more uncertain.
Considering all the evidence above I would say green tea can’t hurt ones well being. I would definitely say using green tea lotion would benefit a person and even taking green tea internally. Green tea has many benefits and these are just a few.
Research shows there is a better chance of green tea being applied to the skin (such as green tea lotion) verses being swallowed at which it might be able to prevent skin cancer. Research also shows that putting these chemicals into a lotion might work better at preventing skin cancer than using your everyday sun block. There have been numerous amounts of studies of skin benefits of green tea. Green tea appears to remove sun damage protection by quenching free radicals and minimizing inflammation rather than by blocking UV rays. Therefore, green tea may synergistically promote sun protection when used in combination to sunscreen. What are some of the Green tea benefits? Green tea helps fight off the free radicals, free radicals are molecules that are missing an electron. In other words free radicals are oxygen that contain molecules that damage our DNA. Free radicals can form in ones skin for many different reasons, such as to much exposure to toxins. Patients who have been exposed to cancer have been treated with Green Tea, with its ability to fight cancer. Research is being preformed to see what types of cancer green tea will benefit and give the most promise too. Green tea has a high importance for us to live longer and healthier. What about wrinkles, and other signs of aging? Could green tea lotion help? Considering the research that has been documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and topical green tea applications are more likely to slow down the development of some signs of aging. Whether green tea lotion can actually diminish wrinkles is far more uncertain.Considering all the evidence above I would say green tea can’t hurt ones well being. I would definitely say using green tea lotion would benefit a person and even taking green tea internally. Green tea has many benefits and these are just a few.
Tags: green tea, green tea lotion, Lotion, prevent skin cancer, skin cancer
Category: Antioxidants, Best Skin Care Products, Green Tea, Health, Ingredients, Natural Skin Care Products, Skin Care, Skin Products, Smooth Complexion, What You Should Know
Posted on September 16, 2010 with No Comments
We have heard a lot lately about alpha hydroxy, our main question is can it be used as an exfoliator? AH has been popular in the anti aging family for some time now. It is used in everything from serums to lotions, to help 
rebuild damaged skin. It is an acid much like glycolic or lactic acid, the only difference is it is made from fruit. But our question is can it be used as an exfoliator.
The simple answer is yes, the way it works is by getting rid of the top layer of dead skin cells. By doing this it helps stimulate new cell growth. This can be done by using a product with alpha hydrody in it for periods of time. It is used in small percentages as too not burn or irritate the skin. It will also make your skin more sensitive to UV light so make sure you use sunscreen if you are going to be outdoors for long periods of time.
In only a couple of weeks you will notice your skin looking and feeling younger. AHA can be found in everything from serums to face masks and all result in a more youthful appearance. Another thing AH is good for is reducing dark spots on the skin such as age spots or freckles as well. So next time your looking for an anti aging product look for a good alpha hydroxy exfoliator for younger looking skin. Read this article to learn how alpha hydroxy works on acne.
Posted on June 15, 2009 with 4 Comments
In the first post on smoother skin, we talked about the “top 3″ of proper care – cleansing, hydrating (moisturizing), and treating. Each are equally important to prevent enlarged pores, avoid rashes and keep your complexion soft and smooth.
Not to get to detailed, but we (the consuming public and manufacturers) can break down each of these areas and take a closer look at some things that work and some that don’t – and why.
There are a lot of skin care products for smoother skin – they come in a wide range of applications, mix of ingredients and a multitude of bases. The market has been segmented to the extreme as everyone looks for the miracle product that will make us look younger. Cream, abrasions, exfoliators and moisturizers all vie for the dollar you are going to spend.
But do they work?…do they help?…really? Well as a researcher, formulator and manufacturer, I would argue that it depends on the ingredients and what your goal is. I’m ot trying to talk in circles, but that’s what it boils down to.
For instance, moisturizers have been considered a regimen staple going back a long time. I remember my Mom applying a mask every night. The general purpose is to rehydrate the tissue. Even years ago, we recognized dryness and tightening and believed re-hydration was good. In fact, it was and is. The cool thing now is we have so many more effective ingredients than 40 years ago.
In the past 10 years, the most popular ingredient for moisturizers has become Hyaluronic Acid. It has found its was into wrinkle creams, solutions for skin rashes, burn treatments, and for chronic or acute drying. It is naturally found in our cells and becomes increasingly depleted as we age.
Many biologist and dermatologists believe it is the accumulated effects of free-radical damage that causes us to lose and produce less hyaluronic acid. If so, it certainly is a convenient response to why tissue becomes thin, dry, and wrinkled as we continue to age. So, to re-hydrate and moisturize look for creams or serums with Hyaluronic Acid. The effects are almost immediate.
Another couple of ingredients to loo for are Aloe and Emu Oil. Aloe most of us are familiar with. It makes a great base for a cream – especially serums. Its widely used in beauty and anti-aging products – working well for facial and wrinkle solutions, especially as an eye smoother. One of the challenges older men and women have is neck wrinkles. Particlularly sun damage and natural aging can show premature wrinkles on the neck giving the appearance of unsmooth skin. If this is what you are experiencing, look for the best neck cream that can add moisture and reduce the sagging wrinkles at the base of your neck.
Emu oil is less well known, but has become a premier (and fairly expensive) ingredient for pitted acne scar treatment, burns, and stretchmarks. I’ve put up a few posts regarding Emu Oil, and at the risk of oft repeating myself, it is great. It has been used for years in Australia and New Zealand for wound healing. It deep moisturizes, and clinical studies have shown it is super-effective at both repairing and improving the complexion. A pretty good combo.
So, there are a few things you should look for when considering products for smoother skin. Each help soften, reduce enlarged pores, help retian moisture, and in some cases, help purify tissue to rid bacteria, oil and dirt. Another idea you should consider is using skin tightening exercises for the stomach if you have been dealt the hand of flabby skin on the tummy. These exercises will help give you smoother skin by improving and strengthening underlying muscle and connective tissue. They will also help improve tissue flexibility, thus tightening the abdominal area.
Tags: aloe, emu oil, hyaluronic acid, moisturizers, Scars, skin care products, skin rashes, smoother skin, wrinkles
Category: Ingredients, Skin Care, Skin Products, Smooth Complexion
Posted on April 14, 2009 with 1 Comment
I guess we have all been deluged with advice on keeping our complexion smooth and soft. But here are a couple of ideas, in fact reminders, to increase softness while reducing premature aging and wrinkles.
- Keep it Clean – Pores enlarge and become clogged when dirt and oil become trapped. Microscopic bacteria and
Smooth complexion
fungus can grow enlarging the pore’s size and compounding the problem. Wash your face daily with an herbal-based cleanser that is not harsh on the skin. Avoid makeup and cosmetics periodically. My wife generally takes a day or two every few weeks not wearing makeup and she says it works great.
- Moisturize – While this seems pretty obvious, moisturizers, especially at night, reclaim lost hydration. Some creams can irritate and are fairly ineffective at reducing dry skin. I’ll review several products in later posts.
- Treatment – If you have chronically dry skin or have had excessive sun exposure, products with Hyaluronic Acid work very well at providing “instant” moisture – fighting skin rashes, dryness, and problems like rosacea and acne.
- Exercise – While exercise in general is a given, toning specific parts of you body can help greatly with overall skin tone and care. Consider and exercise for the neck that builds muscle and improves your flexibility. A diligent regimen will make you feel better, reduce injury and pain and will help guard against wrinkled or sagging skin on the nec.
Pretty basic, uh? The trick is consistency and adjusting your regimen to your skin type and any specific problems you might have. I’ll make a few recommendations for enlarged pores and wrinkles later.
