Whiteheads

Whiteheads are follicles that are filled with the same as blackheads, but have only a microscopic opening to the skin surface. Since the air cannot reach the follicle, the material is not oxidized, and remains white.

CAUSES

Whiteheads are caused by the accumulation of hardened sebum or oil, in the pores of the skin. The difference between this and blackheads, is that in areas where the skin is fine and delicate, the clogged sebum is not exposed take place, as in the case of blackheads. The whiteheads appear in the form of tiny, pearly white raised spots. They are common in the area just above the cheekbones, where the skin is fine.

On oily skins, they may appear as part of a 'problem skin condition ', along with blackheads, pimples and acne. Whiteheads are promoted by excessive cellular exfoliation, which quickly clog or block the follicles. Some skin specialists believe individuals with frequent and multiple blackheads and whiteheads produce sebum that is drier than normal and conducive to forming firm plugs. Sebum contributes to skin oils and people with dry sebum may have dry skin and this may be especially true of people with chronic whiteheads.

Whiteheads should never be removed forcibly, even with a comedone, or blackhead extractor. Forcible extraction can damage skin tissue and cause infection.

HOME REMEDIES

• You can a facial steamer or take hot water in a pan, cover your head with a towel and let your face receive a light steam. This will help in losing whiteheads and cleaning the pores of the skin.
• Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomegranate skin with fresh lime juice and apply over boils, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads.
• Mix Cornstarch With Vinegar, make a paste and apply on the area for 15-30 minutes; wash off with washcloth and warm water, this helps to get rid whiteheads.
• Apply grated potatoes as poultice to treat skin blemishes, pimples, and whiteheads.
• Mix 1-tablespoon groundnut oil with 1-tablespoon fresh lime juice to prevent formation of whiteheads and pimples.
• Make a paste of sandalwood with rose water. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

Homemade face packs

Beauty Face Packs are very good as they slough away dead cells & give a glow to the dead and lifeless looking complexion. Do not use a scrub when you have angry looking pimples on the face. A Beauty Face Packs can at times aggravate the situation.

To make it easier, use the Beauty Face Packs under the category of your skin type. Use only what is suitable to your skin. Though the homemade packs are very gentle and will not cause any harm, do keep in mind, any allergies you may have

FOR OILY SKIN

• After a bath & as a base for make-up use some diluted lime juice. Dab it on very lightly on the face. Wait for 10 minutes before using foundation or make up.
• Diluted buttermilk is also dabbed on the face and left on the face for 10-15 minutes before any other application.
• 2 tablespoons corn starch, 2 teaspoons margosa leaf juice, 2 teaspoons sandalwood powder and 2-3 drops of olive oil. Mix. Apply with a brush. Let it dry well. Wash with cold water.
• Slice an apple very thinly. Place these on the face and leave for 15 minutes. These soak up extra oil and also help to close pores.
• 1 egg white with 1 tablespoon honey. Mix both together and apply with a brush. Wash after 7-10 minutes.
• Take 1/2 cup of green gram powder, add 1 tablespoon of yogurt. Add enough water to make a paste. Use it to scrub the face gently. Wash with cold water. Do not use soap after the treatment.
• Take 4 tablespoons mint paste and grind fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup ripe papaya pulp, 2 teaspoons gram flour and 1/2 limejuice. Mix and apply. Wash after 15 minutes.

FOR PIMPLES

• 2 tablespoons fullers earth
• 2 tablespoons sandalwood powder
• 2 drops of garlic juice
• 1 egg white
• rose water

FOR DRY SKIN

• 1 teaspoon of cream to which 1/2 teaspoon of lime juice is added. Apply & massage well. Leave for 3-4 minutes. Wash with cold water.
• Take 1/2 tablespoon almond oil, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon rose water. Massage into skin. Wipe with moist cotton pads.
• Take 1/2 cup mashed avocado with 1 egg and 2 teaspoons honey. Mix well and apply. Wash after 20 minutes.
• Take 2 teaspoons mayonnaise with 2 teaspoons gram flour, 1 teaspoon wheat flour and 2 teaspoons honey. Mix and apply well.
• Make a paste with 4 tablespoons wheat flour, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon ghee. Apply and leave. When it dries, wash with cold water.

FOR NORMAL AND COMBINATION SKIN

1 mashed peach, 1 mashed plum, 2 teaspoons honey, 1 egg

- Mix well and apply. Leave for 1/2 an hour and wash.

• For a normal skin, mix the clay/kaolin, cornflower and oats together with one beaten egg white and floral water. Add 1 drop geranium oil and 1 drop neroli oil. Mix well to form a paste and apply.
• 1 tablespoon curds, 2 drops of honey, and Apply and leave for 20 minutes. Apply on neck for lines also.

Facial tips

Milk contains lactic acid. Regular use of milk helps lighten skin gently, leading to fairer skin. Lactic acid may irritate sensitive skin though. Although milk is soothing for most people, you still should test it on the crook of your arm to see if it irritates your skin. If no irritation occurs, then proceed.

BEFORE FACIAL

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Wash all the bowls, whisk, utensils, spoons, cups and whatever equipment you will be using for this facial with soap and water. Sterilize these with boiling water. Make sure all surfaces you use for preparing this facial are clean. For home facials, hygiene and cleanliness is all important.
• Soak 2 cotton pads in rose water.
• Prepare 3 large sterile strips of cotton wool. The 1st strip should be large enough to cover your neck. The 2nd strip should be able to cover the lower part of your face from below your ears across your face under your nose. The 3rd should cover the rest of your face (Leaving a gap for your nostrils so that you can breathe.) Soak these pads in buttermilk.
• Put a handful of rose petals into a bowl.
• Fill a kettle with water and set that to boil.
• Wear a hair band or shower cap to keep your hair off your face. Get ready some cotton pads and a clean towel an 1 tablespoon of skim milk.
• Now you are ready for your facial.

FACIAL

• Dip a pair of clean cotton pads into a bowl with 1 tablespoon of milk and 1 teaspoon of almond oil. Use these pads to wipe your makeup off your face. Discard leftover mixture.
• Wash off the milk and oil with lots of water.
• Mix 1 tablespoonful of milk with the almond flour. Use that as a scrub to cleanse your face. Discard leftover scrub.
• Wash off the scrub with lots of water.
• Dry your face with a clean towel.
• Pour boiling water into the bowl of rose petals.
• With the towel forming a 'tent' over your head and the bowl, keep your face about 20cm above the bowl. Relax and let the steam cleanse your face for 10 minutes.
• Put 1 pad soaked with rosewater over each eye
• Soak the 3 large strips of cotton wool in buttermilk. Apply that on your face as a mask, avoiding your nostrils so that you can breathe. Put the strip across your neck first, then the strip under your nose, followed by the largest strip above your nose over the rest of your face. Be sure to leave your nostrils uncovered so that you can breathe easily. Discard leftovers.
• Relax with the mask for 30 minutes.
• Remove the pads and cotton wool.
• Wash off the residue with lots of water.
• Dip 2 new cotton pads in the witch hazel and use it as a toner to clean your face further.
• Apply your favorite moisturizer and you are set to go.

Face Cleanser

Cleansing the skin properly, especially the face is basic to good skin care. This is even more important if you live in a city or near an industrial area, as airborne toxins will readily adhere to your face, causing damage and premature aging.

Cleansing is the first of the three steps, twice daily face care regime of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Because facial skin is so delicate, soap is much too harsh and drying to use to wash the face. Special face cleansers, mostly based around a cream or a lotion, are the best way to cleanse your face thoroughly yet gently. The following cleansers use a cleansing lotion base, and are best-applied and wiped off with damp cotton balls.

CREAMY CUCUMBER AND ELDER FLOWER

Cucumber features in many commercial face cleansers, as is a tried and trusted natural astringent and cleansing agent. Here, we use organic cucumber to create a fresh, natural cleanser, suitable for all skin types. Elder flowers are healing and astringent.

INGREDIENTS

5 oz (150ml) cleansing lotion base,
1/2 of a fresh,
Organic cucumber,
7 drops elder flower tincture,
5 drops lemon essential oil.

PREPARATION

• Wash the cucumber thoroughly in cold water. Chop a third of the cucumber roughly; place it in a blender, and puree.
• Strain the cucumber through a piece of clean muslin. Squeeze the cloth to extract the juice.
• Measure the cleansing lotion base into a glass container with a good pouring spout. Add the cucumber juice and stir thoroughly. Add the elderflower tincture and lemon oil and stir to thoroughly combine all the ingredients.
• Pour the mixture into two bottles. Label them clearly. One is ready for use and other can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month.

MILK

• Take half a cup of cold milk.
• Add half teaspoon of salt. Stir.
• Take balls os cotton, soak and then gently dab milk and salt lotion all over forehead, face and neck.
• Leave it on for 2-3 minutes. Apply again.
• Now rub gently in the circular motion and wash off. The salt in the milk gently exfoliate dead skin and the milk nourishes the skin.

Your face instantly gets a fresh and glowing look. This is good for all skin types.

Sweet eye makeup remover

This is a great natural eye makeup remover. It is easy to make and easy to use.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon castor oil
• 1 tablespoon light olive oil
• 2 teaspoons canola oil

BLENDING PROCEDURE:

• Blend the above ingredients together and store in a tightly sealed bottle.
• Apply with soft tissue or cotton ball to remove makeup around the eyes.

PUFFY EYES

Puffy eye is that when you awake the eyes are puffiest. Skins around and under your eyes are the thinnest and most sensitive of your body. Puffy eyes can also be a heredity problem. Late nights, allergies, high salt intake or general stress can cause the unsightly phenomenon of puffy eyes. Puffy eyes can also result from a build-up of toxins and wastes in the system.

Preventing dryness around the eyes can also be very helpful in reducing swelling. If dryness is your problem, a lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer will help. Be certain the moisturizer does not contain any irritating ingredients that could make matters worse.

Reduce your puffy eyes by taking some measures which can cause puffy eyes. Reduce puffy eyes through exercise also, move your eyes in wide circular motion, first in one direction and then the other. Move the eyes to the right and left and then up and down.

SYMPTOMS

The possible symptoms are

• Swelling around the eyes.
• Swollen eyelid.
• Itching eyes.
• Puffy eyelids.
• Eye redness or pink eyes.
• Inability to closing or opening of the eyes is most common symptom of puffy eyes.

CAUSES

• If itching or redness accompanies the puffiness, it may be due to an allergy or dermatitis.
• Puffy eyes can be a heredity problem.
• Drinking alcohol more the then capacity results in hangovers and they also produce puffy eyes.
• Changes in your body's fluid balance such as due to weather changes, travel or hormone fluctuations.
• Contact lenses can cause irritation and swelling, results in puffy eyes, so be sure that you are wearing the most comfortable type for your vision correction.
• Lack of sleep may also results in puffy eyes.
• Fluids get trapped in the tissues under the eyes. Usually the eyes are puffiest when you awake. Puffy eyes may also be a sign of sinus and allergy problems.

HOME REMEDIES

• Cut out thin slices of cucumber.
• Chill them. Now lie down and shut your eyes.
• Apply chilled cucumber slices over and under-eye areas and relax. Leave it on for 15 minutes.
• Gently rub the slices over and under-eye areas, and then wash off. You will feel relaxed and refreshed.
• The natural moisture from cucumber acts as a healing tonic while the cucumber juice helps to lighten the skin too. A great relief for tired and puffy eyes.
• Drink of enough water will also reduce eye puffiness. When a person is dehydrated the body starts storing water as a defense system and this will add to puffy eyes, so drink around 8-10 glass of water daily to get rid of puffy eyes.
• Lie in a quiet room down for 15 minutes, with either a slice of raw potato or cucumber over your eyes, or cotton wool pads soaked in witch hazel or iced water. Your eyes will sparkle and any puffiness will magically disappear.
• Remove contact lenses each night before bed to avoid puffiness caused by lens irritation and drying.
• Soak cotton wool pads in rose water and use them as eye pads, over closed eyes, this will help to get rid of puffy eyes and reduce your puffiness.
• Mix one teaspoon of salt in a pint of hot water; apply pads soaked in the saline solution on the puffy areas. A great relief for tired and puffy eyes.
• Gently tap your skin with your ring finger when you are applying eye cream to encourage the excess fluid to drain away.
• Wash your entire face with the coldest water you can stand immediately after you wake up.
• Use either cold tap water or a mixture of cold water and ice cubes in a large bowl or tub.
• Splash your face for up to 5 minutes, if possible. This helps in reduction of puffy eyes.

All above are simple home remedy to get rid of puffy eyes. If the still eyes are puffy then see your physician, who may possibly rule out the real causes or the possible causes such as thyroid and kidney problems.

Treatment for enlarged pore

Most enlarged pore on the face are as a result of hereditary factors, more than anything else. If your mother and father had them, you may too. Enlarged pore is usually results in a skin due to the overactivity of the sebaceous glands. Oil is secreted by the glands through the pores of the skin, causing the pore to get clogged when the oil hardness. Pores enlarge during puberty, when oil glands in your skin begin to increase the amount of oil that they pump through your pores.

The pore is thus stretched and loses their natural resilience. Excessive secretion of oil and clogging of the pore, over a period of time, thicken them and make them enlarged. The skin begins to look coarse and loses its smooth, porcelain quality.

More commonly, in talking about the skin, a enlarge pore is an opening that secretes sebaceous oil to lubricate and protect the surface of the skin. Keep your face clean and resist the urge to pick at enlarged pores and blemishes - this will prevent pores from becoming irritated and more noticeable.

TREATMENT

If you have an oily skin, it is important to keep the enlarged pore free of sebum. Then wash the skin with a medicated cleanser to reduce the surface oil. Use a good quality skin toner daily to remove oil from the skin and to close pores. Regular cleansing and use of products that reduces surface grease and helps to refine the enlarged pore. This will result in a smooth clean textured skin.

• Skin toning with rose-based skin tonic is essential. Keep the skin tonic in refrigerator, in a bowl, with a cotton wool pads soaking in it. Wipe your skin with it several times during the day and also pat your skin briskly with it.
• Rose extract help to close the enlarge pore and improve skin texture.
• Mix table salt and buttermilk into a paste, apply on enlarged pores and massage well. Rinse with warm water.
• Mix almond meal with enough water to make a paste. Apply to pores for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then apply with hazel or a solution of apple cider vinegar and water.
• Wash your face. After washing your face, smooth a lotion containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) over your skin to peel away old skin cells that build up around your enlarged pores.

Dark circles under or around the eyes

This is a common problem, which is caused by lack of sleep, fatigue, dietary deficiency or disease. It is generally easy to spot people with chronic insomnia by the telltale circles around the eyes.

Sleep is very essential to both health and beauty. So is a nutritious balanced diet. If you suffer from insomnia or chronic fatigue, you should consult your doctor. Along with medical help, you should low a daily rout line of external care.

The eyelids are already the thinnest, softest areas of skin in the body. Normal skin is around 2 millimeters thick, but eyelid skin is only 0.5 millimeters thick.

CAUSES

• Lack of sleep.
• Inherited condition having a family with the kind of skin that makes dark circles more likely.
• Fluid retention, which causes puffiness that, may cast shadows.
• Aging which thins and relaxes the skin around the eyes.

REMEDIES

CUCUMBER:

• Clean your face of all make up.
• Cut thin slices of cucumber. Chill them. Now lie down and shut your eyes.
• Apply chilled cucumber slices over your eyes and under eye area and relax.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes. Gently rub the slices over and under eye area, and then wash off. You will feel relaxed and refreshed.

The natural moisture from the cucumber acts as a healing tonic, while the cucumber juice helps to lighten the skin too. A great for tired and puffy eyes. Helps to get rid of dark circles under eyes or around eyes.

ICE CUBES: When you get in from the hot sun eyes tired and bloodshot. You also develop dark circles and shadows due to heat and pollution.

• Wash your face.
• Take some ice cubes and wrap them in two pieces of muslin. Lie down and shut your eyes.
• Place one ice cube pack over each eye, rubbing gently. This will immediately ease the 'burnt up' skin feeling.

Regular use helps to lighten the dark circles under the eyes or to get rid of dark circles under eyes or around eyes.

GREEN GOURD:You could similarly use slices of green gourd instead of cucumber. The juice of the green gourd also helps in lightly moisturizing as well as lightening the skin tones.

Regular use helps to lighten the dark circles under the eyes and remove dark circle under or around the eyes.

SOME TIPS

• Get enough sleep. Try to go to bed a little earlier than normal.
• Cucumber slices have a soothing effect on the eyes.
• Use sunscreen every day and moisturize in the night preferably using a good under eye cream.
• Drink plenty of water to hydrate the skin.
• Apply cold compresses.
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Iron deficiency can be a cause for dark circles around the eyes.

CONCEALER

The fastest cure for dark circles is to apply concealer. Choose a gold-based color that matches your skin shade exactly.

The most common mistake women make when applying concealer is choosing a color that's too light - this only achieves a "reverse raccoon" effect. Another common problem: putting the concealer only under the eye. You should apply it all around the eye area, and be sure to blend well. Set the concealer with a light dusting of translucent face powder so that it stays put. And to avoid drawing attention to your under eye area, don't apply eyeliner or mascara to your lower lashes.

Often, the inner corner of the eye is the darkest part. A white shimmer pencil will cover it. Some companies manufacture a blueish or white pencil just for this purpose.

Facial cleansers and scrubs

Several forms of facial cleansers have been developed to deal with cleansing different skin types, and to avoid drying the skin as traditional bar soaps tended to do. Getting your skin clean is an important first step in any good skin care regimen. If you are fighting acne prone skin, the cleansing step is more than just important, it is essential.A good cleanser will remove makeup, oil build up, dirt and other debris from the skin's surface, preparing it for other acne fighting treatments.

Chemical face peel

Chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve & smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers or the top layer so that a new skin layer can regenerate. The new skin is smoother & less wrinkled than the old skin, and may also be more even in color. It is helpful for those individuals with facial blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation.
CHEMICALS USED:

Chemical peels use several types of acid solutions to improve and smooth the texture of your facial skin but alpha hydroxy acids (AHA's), trichloroacetic acids (TCA) and phenol are the most popular in the chemical face peel. The AHA's peels can provide smoother, brighter-looking skin for people who can't spare the time to recover from a phenol or TCA peel.

The TCA is most commonly used for medium-depth peeling. Fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems are commonly treated with TCA. Although chemical peels may be done in conjunction with a facelift, the peel is not a substitute for that surgery, nor will it stop aging. A chemical peel is most useful for fine wrinkles on cheeks, forehead and around the eyes and the vertical wrinkles around the mouth.
BENEFITS

* Chemical face peel treatment can produce that radiant look of younger skin.
* Deeper chemical peels are an effective treatment for the extreme wrinkling caused by spending too much time in the sun.
* Stretch marks will be less by chemical peeling.
* Chemical peels also effective for cleaning out blackheads and whiteheads.
* Brown spots, freckles and pigmentation can be prevented by chemical face peels.
* Skin that is blemished, devitalized and dull in texture and color may be improved.
EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL PEEL TREATMENT

* Some temporary flaking or scaling, redness and dryness of the skin. However, these conditions will disappear as the skin adjusts to treatment.
* The skin may feel tight as if exposed to the sun or wind for a while after treatment. Some skins may peel.
* Keep the skin well moisturized with the proper products and sunscreen as advised by your skin care expert.
* Stronger Chemical face peels, your skin will lose the ability to produce pigment, and so you will always need to wear sun protection.
* Chemical peeling does not remove deep scars.

Apple Zinger facial mask

This is good for oily or acne prone skin.

Ingredients

1 medium size apple, grated fine
5 tbs. honey

Preparation

* Mix the grated apple and honey well. Smooth over skin and let sit for 10 minutes.
* Rinse off with cool water.


HOME REMEDIES FOR BLACKHEADS

Blackheads are not uncommon, yet many of us do not know what they are. We know even less about dealing with them. They can be controlled and even prevented by taking regular care of the skin. A blackhead results when dead skin cells and sebum block a hair follicle near the surface of the skin. Blackhead causes the oily skin pores to enlarge and the texture becomes coarse and rough. When a pore is fully blocked, a pimple can result and blackheads cause acne.

It is essential to keep the skin free form blackheads. Not only does it look, but can lead to acne. The control of blackheads is one way of preventing acne. The counter part of the blackheads is the whitehead, which is also caused by collection of sebum in the pores, but in this case the pores are not open and the sebum is not exposed to the air. Daily cleansing of the skin, with products that reduce surface oil and also keep the pores free of blackheads, is absolutely essential. The use of the specialized masks would also help.

Blackheads extraction is a professional job. Never pick at them, or try to remove them by yourself. Not only will you damage skin tissue, but cause the skin to get infected, resulting in an acne condition.

Remove blackheads and whiteheads with a blackheads extractor while pressing the skin gently. Now wipe your face with an astringent lotion to close the pores.

Blackheads won't magically go away, but proper cleansing techniques can get rid of blackheads, regardless of your age. It's all in how you care for your skin, it really is. Drink plenty of water and fresh fruits and fruit juices and eat more of green vegetables. Keep the skin clean by washing it with plain water. Wash the face with a medicated soap using warm water.

HOME REMEDY TO GET RID OF BLACKHEADS REMOVAL

Black pepper and curd:

* Take one tablespoon black pepper powder and add to it enough curd to make thick paste.
* Apply on the infected area and let it dry.
* Wash off after 5-7 minutes.

This is an effective cure for blackheads or to get rid of blackheads.

Oatmeal and Yoghurt :

* Take 2 tablespoons of oatmeal and 3 tablespoon of yogurt.
* Mix and add tablespoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of olive oil.
* Blend and whisk well together in a bowl.
* Wash your hands then apply over infected area first, then all over the face.
* Leave in for 5-7 minutes and then rinse with cold water.

Very effective for blackheads or to get rid of blackheads.

VINEGAR:

* Mix Cornstarch With Vinegar, make a paste and apply on the area for 15-30 minutes; wash off with washcloth and warm water, this helps to get rid blackheads

Cucumber :

* Peel cucumber and place in blender.
* Blend until cucumber is of a pasty consistency, but not too watery.
* Take the mixture and apply as a face mask leaving it on face for 25 min's.
* This procedure not only clears the acne, blackheads but also cools down your face leaving you feeling refreshed. Helps to get rid blackheads

Try out these above home remedies for removing your blackheads yourself.

The Following packs can be used for normal skin for blackhead removal.

Fuller's Earth Pack - Dilute fuller's earth (multani mitti) with rose water. Helps to cure blackheads.

Calamine pack - Mix calamine powder and Kaoline powder in equal ratios and make a paste with rose water. Helps to get rid blackheads.

Sandalwood Pack - Mix sandalwood powder with rose water. Make a paste; now apply this paste on blackheads. Now let the paste to dry, now face it. This helps in removal of blackheads.

Grape Pack - Mash grapes finely to make a smooth pulp. Apply it directly on the face. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash off with warm water. A grape pack is very effective in maintaining the acid balance of normal skin. This a effective cure for blackheads.

The above Face pack is very effective to get rid of Blackheads.