Skin Care tips/remedies

[mysterygal]

Foods that help

Acne
What to eat
Bright red and orange fruits and vegetables have beta-carotene, which you body converts to oil-reducing vitamin A. Green leafy vegetables contain vitamin B6, which minimizes swelling, so pimples are reduced.
What to avoid
Iodine-rich salt, shrimp and seaweed stimulate oil glands, inducing irritation of pores. And although pure chocolate won't cause acne, the sugar in desserts (along with dairy and refined flour) can.

Wrinkles
What to eat
Fruits rich in color (such as berries) have vitamin C to promote anti-aging, skin-firming collagen and antioxidants. Orange seafoods, like salmon and lobster, contain astaxanthin, an antioxidant stronger than vitamins C and E.
What to avoid
Balance sugar intake (which can harden collagen and lead to sagging) with cinnamon (1/8 tsp can lower the sugar in your blood for two weeks). Avoid taking too much iron; high doses can contribute to wrinkles.

Dry Skin
What to eat
Drink lots of water and eat foods with good fats (which keep cell walls strong and prevent water loss), like avocado and olive oil, as well as citrus and kiwi (the potasium they contain regulates the body's water levels). Cabbage has sulfur, which can prevent dry, irritated skin.
What to avoid
Drinks like coffee and black tea dehydrate your internal tissues and skin. Also, margarine and most fried foods contain trans fats and hydrogenated oils, which can deplete levels of good fats and lead to dry skin.

Rosacea
What to eat
A symptom of inflammation in the body, chronic rosacea can be managed by eating calming foods such as fish, cucumbers and licorice. Tumeric seasoning, which gives curried dishes their marigold hue, is high in curmin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflamatory.
What to avoid
Hot foods (in tempertature and spiciness) alcohol and caffine make blood vessels swell so skin looks redder. Niacin-rich peanuts can also increase flushing.

[mysterygal]

Make skin dewy.
When your tired, this gives skin a brightness, like you're 15 again.

Inhale
A whiff of peppermint and eucalyptus promotes heightened awareness- it's like smelling salts.

Apply fresh color
Dab on more cream or blush later in the day. Soft pink gives you a natural radiance.

Cover Shadows
Stroke a pale highlighter pen over shadows and lines to replace fading concealer and give your face a rested glow.

Calm red eyes
Rhoto V. Ice dropdrops constrict blood vessels, so whites look clearer and brighter. they soothe eyes too.

Spritz your face
Use chilled toner or water. A fine mist on your face makes you feel refreshed.

[ShooShooBaby]

good tips!

for me, going over my face with some witch hazel on a cotton ball always makes me feel fresher and more awake when i get home from work! of course, i don't wear makeup every day so others' mileage may vary.

[mysterygal]

De-Puff
Sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption both cause fluid retention, which leads to a puffy face in the morning. Reduce bloating by pressing a cold compress onto skin. A washcloth soaked in icy water constricts blood vessels so there's less fluid accumulation.
Even out blotchiness
After cleansing and moisturizing, use a sponge to smooth on tinted moisturizer or lightweight foundation. A sheer layer instantly brightens your face and brings clarity to skin. Avoid anything heavy and matte, which can look dull.
Rehydrate and recharge
Skip the lattes. When you're tired, a nervous-system stimulant like caffine can lead to headaches, anxiety and an inability to focus. Instead, drink cold water all day to rehydrate your body. Cool beverages are invigorating. If you're battling a hangover, try Gaceau Smart water, which contains electrolytes (minerals you lose when drinking alcohol).
Shrink eye bags
To relieve puffiness, place potatoe slices or cooled, brewed tea bags (which contain astringents that make skin taut) over eyes for 10 minutes. Experts also suggest patting on caffine-spiked gels before applying make-up. It cools and tightens the skin in the eye area.
look alive
Dragging your feet? Jump rope for three to five minutes. This stimulates the nervous system and awakens the mind and body.

[RaasAlHayya]

Has any of you ladies tried slices of fresh cucumber to soothe tired eyes and reduce puffiness?

Thanks for all these tips, Mysterygal!

--Leslie

[mysterygal]

Has any of you ladies tried slices of fresh cucumber to soothe tired eyes and reduce puffiness?

Thanks for all these tips, Mysterygal!

--Leslie

Your Welcome! I have all these great advice articles around figured I should put them to good use!!!
Yes, I have tried the sliced cucumbers...I find they work even better when they're cooled.

[KittyT]

a quick-fix for red, inflammed spots and pimples - take a cotton swab and soak it in anti-redness eyedrops. hold the swab to the pimple for a minute or so. most of the time, it will dramatically reduce the redness!

[mysterygal]

Puffy Eyes
What to eat
Diuretics, asparagus and parsley included, reduce bloating. Potassium-rich bananas and citrus fruits help maintain a good balance of fluids. Circulation boosters like cayenne pepper can aide in lymphatic drainage around the eyes.
What to avoid
Salt, which leaches water out of cells, is your biggest enemy. Avoid soy sauce and preserved foods (no cheese or deli meats). Yeast can cause puffiness. Shunt baked goods and alcohol.

Thin Hair
What to eat
Foods rich in biotin (dark greens and meat, for example) can help hair grow faster and stronger. Hair is made of protein, so foods such as beans and eggs are critical for healthy growth. Olive oil contains squalene, which helps hair hold on to moisture better.
What to avoid
If your mane is thinning, avoid supplements with high doses of vitamin A, which could exacerbate the condition. But do eat nuts like almonds; they contain zinc, which can soothe the scalp irrations that lead to thinning hair.

Brown Spots
What to eat
Sun exposure can cause freckles, so powerful antioxidants (in dark chocolate, pomegranates and broccoli) that fight sun damage are your best beauty bets. And studies have shown that green tea can protect against sunburn and also help prevent skin cancer.
What to avoid
Alcohol and processed foods weaken the immune system and therefore make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Watch out for beer in particular, because hops have been known to cause dark spots on skin.

Dull Skin
What to eat
Green and orange veggies increase vitamin A levels, making skin cells shed faster for a radiant, bright complexion. Soybeans and yams contain plant estrogens, which can add luster to your skin. Eating berries will make your pores look smaller.

[Chickpea]

I have always had oily skin with outbreaks, huge pores and an uneven surface.
First I killed my skin with harsch antibacterials and anything else that promised to remove impurities and excess oils.

Then I got older and started to earn money. I could afford more expensive products, but they basically gave me the same result as Clearasil did...

So I started using AHA and salisylic acid (as in Clinique turn around). that made my skin more even, but as soon as I stopped using it it was back to scratch.

Then I changed to very mild products, products for sensitive skin. That helped on the outbreaks, but I had the same uneven surface and excess oils.

Two years ago I stopped using products with mineral oils, and that was the solution! I used Dermalogica, but after a while I swapped to Dr.Haushcka and Weleda. I just cannot believe the results..
It took a while. It seemed like my skin had to get rid of years and years of built up clogging. The outbreaks diminished, I still had excess oil, but not as much, and the surface of the skin felt much softer and somehow "thinner".

Now, after 2 years I no longer have oily skin. Mind, I´m 35 now, but skin doesnt change its character in such a short while (does it??). I use no mnieral oils. Not in make up either (Dermalogica or Bare Minerals for great coverage). If my skin dries a bit I use sesame oil or almond oil.
Actually, my skin is so even that I never have to use peeling anymore. ME! I had so uneven skin I could hardly use foundation in fear of looking like the devils grandma...

Just wanted to share and tell that "There is hope" (add soothing music )

[KittyT]

Weleda products are fantastic! Dr. Hauschka is waaaaay out of my budget though.

Don't underestimate the ability of a few years to cause such drastic changes in your skin. My mother's skin has gotten drier over the years, starting when she was in her 40s.

The one advantage of having oily skin is that it tends to minimize the wrinkles you'll get later!

----

I have very dry and sensitive skin, with a slightly oily T-zone. My skin never looked better than when I was using DHC's Mild Soap and their Olive Virgin Oil moisturizer.