HThey are the one thing that can stop a teenager in their tracks. Adults fear them too. Blackheads always appear at the most inopportune time and in the worst place possible – on your face. Learn how to stop them from being a problem for you.
What Are Blackheads?
Blackheads, pimples, whiteheads, zits – these terms are used interchangeably by most people. Basically, you have sebaceous glands under your skin. These glands secrete oils, or sebum, through the pores in the skin.
For a variety of reasons, this oil can become trapped in the pore. Bacteria can come to feed on the oil and dirt trapped in the skin and a pus-filled bump forms. Blackheads are normally clear but can turn black when coming in contact with air.
Once you have blackheads, they can be hard to get rid of. But, using a few tips can help you stop any future outbreaks.
How to Prevent Blackheads from Forming
* Remove your make-up – It’s easy to fall asleep and forget to wash your face. But, make-up can clog the pores and lead to blackheads. Even mineral make-up needs to be removed to prevent build-up.
* Blackhead creams – These creams contain benzyl peroxide and other compounds to help kill the bacteria that can aggravate the condition. Regular use can treat the problem.
* Exfoliate – Dead skin cells can get trapped, especially if you have oily skin. Gentle exfoliation removes these skin cells to prevent them from causing blackheads.
* Drink more water – Water helps to remove toxins from the body. It clears up the skin by rehydrating it. Aim for at least eight glasses of water a day.
* Use blackhead removal tools – Popping blackheads can lead to not only pain but scarring on your face. Those who don’t like the look of blackheads will definitely not appreciate the resultant skin discoloration from squeezing them. Find blackhead extractors in your nearby drug store.
* Use pore strips – Many blackheads appear in the oily T-zone. Pore strips are designed to pull oil, bacteria and forming blackheads from their pores before they can surface on the skin and cause more problems. Use the strips regularly.
* Wash your face – Sometimes the simplest solutions are right at hand. Regularly washing your face in the morning can remove any dirt that accumulates through the night. At night, wash off the dirt from the day before you go to bed. When dirt is washed away, you have eliminated one of the major substances that clog pores.
Adults and teens deal with blackheads. Hormones can be a reason for the overproduction of sebum from the sebaceous glands. Whether it is puberty or menopause, blackheads can ruin the landscape of your skin.
Here are some products that might help, as well:
DERMAdoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ Intensive Medicated Blackhead Treatment 1 oz (30 ml)
Price: $42.0
This biphasic formulation targets blackheads at their source, providing both rapid and long-term impact. Potent astringents provide rapid improvement in the appearance of pores. Long-term relief is achieved as this intensified medicated therapy deeply penetrates pores, eliminating trapped dirt, oils and pore-plugging debris. Continued use provides positive reinforcement – clearing and preventing blackheads and keeping pores looking their absolute best. Contains: Maximum strength 2% Salicylic Acid (BHA), to unplug pores and treat acne. Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly provides astringent benefits, rapidly improving the appearance of blackheads and pore size. Retinol and glycolic acid to keep pores clean and clear. Advanced polymer technology soaks up excess surface oils, yet won’t leave skin parched. Independent Clinical Trial ResultsAin’t Misbehavin’ Intensive Medicated Blackhead Treatment was clinically proven to: Reduce the number of blackheads by week 2 Reduce pore size Just what the skin doctor ordered. reg;Dermatologist Tested amp; ApprovedAllergy Tested, Non Irritating, Non Comedogenic, Fragrance Free, Dye Free, No Animal TestingMade in USA
New 3pcs 3 pcs Blemish Blackhead Extractor Acne Remover Needle Tool
Price: $5.99
Blemish Blackhead Extractor Acne Remover Needle Tool.
Tweezerman- No-Slip Skin Care Tool- Removes Blackheads and Whiteheads
Price: $11.25
Tweezerman- No-Slip Skin Care Tool- Removes Blackheads and Whiteheads For the Do-It-Yourself at-home facial. This specialized skin care tool features a thin angled loop to gently roll out white heads and a flat side to press out blackheads. Get beautiful, healthy and glowing skin. Textured no slip grip design for ultimate hand-control. Tips & Tricks: Take a hot, steamy shower or use a hot washcloth to open pores. For white heads, wait until the blemish has broken open then gently glide the angled wire over it to release debris from the pore. The opposite side’s long, flat loop is designed to gently press out blackheads without damaging skin. Use these spa tools with extreme care, so remember to always sterilize tools first with alcohol or antibacterial soap and hot water. Use on only super-clean skin and be sure to clean both skin and tool again after use.
St. Ives Naturally Clea Apricot Scrub Blemish & Blackhead Control
Price: $1.19
Naturally Clea Apricot Scrub Blemish & Blackhead Control
Biore Warming Anti-Blackhead Cream Cleanser
Price: $7.99
Pore Perfect, Heats & Treats
Olay Blackhead Clearing Scrub
Price: $5.99
Blackhead Clearing Scrub
Posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago at 12:02 pm. Add a comment
The Clear Skin Diet
Where to buy: www.amazon.com
Review by: ACHMom
When we think of acne, most people think of hormonal changes during teenage years. But did you know that more and more adults (especially women) also develop this skin problem? According to this book, this might be due to our modern diet, full of fats, sugars, processed foods, lack of fresh fruit and vegetables and fiber.
The Clear Skin diet is a well-researched book on the effect of poor nutrition on our skin. You will learn about acne, its causes and conventional treatment options. Why some foods can increase the occurrence of acne and how others, such as anti-inflammatory foods and those rich in antioxidants and certain herbs can help to clear up your skin and are beneficial to the healing process.
The book is jam-packed with in-depth information on acne. But it also gives you an action plan to put into place to start the process of clearing your skin. It includes acne-preventive recipes, food supplements, dietary requirements and even ideas on stress management and the positive effect this can have on your skin.
This informative resource is written by Alan C Logan (a board-certified naturopath physician) and Valori Treloare, MD, Dermatologist. If you or anybody you know suffers from acne, it is certainly worthwhile reading this book, understanding the science behind skin and diet and the changes you can make for a clearer skin.
This title is available at a discount of 32% at amazon.com >
Posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago at 10:35 am. Add a comment
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Posted 1 year ago at 8:33 am. Add a comment
Natural Health Magazine
Where to buy: http://www.magazines.com/product/natural-health
Review by: ACHMOM
People are increasingly aware of the importance of natural health and a healthy and active lifestyle. Natural Health magazine encourages a healthy lifestyle for the whole family and covers a wide range of health, fitness and active lifestyle issues.
Informative articles include bodywork, vitamins, natural remedies, healthy recipes, pregnancy, men’s fitness, product reviews and much more. Gardening topics, exercise and outdoor sports are also covered in great detail.
The Natural Health Magazine is published 10 times a year by well-known health and fitness publisher, Weider Publications. The magazine includes a consumer guide that gives in-depth information on one special topic with up-to-date research. Readers can send in any questions they might have and these are answered by health professionals in the “Ask the Experts” section of the magazine.
If you are looking for a magazine that covers important issues in natural health, this magazine is for you.
Read more about this title here >
Posted 1 year ago at 11:57 am. Add a comment
We all want perfect skin. For some of us, oily skin is our lot. If you have oily skin, it too can look radiant with a few skin tips.
What Is Oily Skin?
There are three basic skin types: oily, normal and dry. If you have oily skin, this usually means that you have a problematic T-zone. This is the area across the forehead and down the center of the face. It is prone to shine even in cooler weather but especially in warm seasons.
Those with oily skin can experience problems with unclear skin. This means acne, pimples, blackheads and that ever-present shine. All hope is not lost, though. It may be genetic, but there are ways to diminish the oil that is produced from causing problems.
Tips to Help Oily Skin
* Wash your face several times a day – Washing in the morning can remove dirt and oil that has accumulated during the night. During the day, washing your face at least once can keep the shine at bay. At night, any remaining oil is removed before you sleep.
* Use a cleansing system designed for oily skin – It can include an astringent, a toner and a moisturizer. This removes excess oil and returns a balance to the skin without drying it out. A moisturizer for oily skin is not oil based. Skin needs moisture to keep the skin healthy and the pores clear. All skin needs moisture to stay youthful.
Here’s what I use on my oily skin:
Origins Zero Oil – The fragrance of the Zero Oil line is divine. The deep pore cleanser with Saw Palmetto and Mint helps clear pores, eliminate excess oil and reduce shine. I also use the purfiying toner. The Origins Spot Remover Acne blemish treatment gel
really works, too.
* Wear sunscreen – Choose one for facial skin and that works for oily skin. It keeps the moisture in and protects your skin from sun damage.
* Exfoliate often – Exfoliation removes all traces of dead skin which can clog pores and lead to acne. With your excess oil production it is important to keep pores clean. Just make sure you don’t use methods that are harsh or damaging to the skin. Be gentle and don’t overexfoliate.
* Avoid touching your face – When hair or hands graze the face too often, it can leave deposits of dirt and bacteria on the skin. Mixed with oil, this can lead to skin irritation and acne. Wash your hands often and keep hair tied back.
* Avoid using lots of oil in your hair products – Excess oils in the hair can be absorbed into the face and add to the already increased oil production.
* Wear oil control make-up – You can still wear make-up but it needs to be especially formulated for your skin type. Mineral make-up is designed to reduce shine and skin imperfections while allowing the skin to breathe.
Posted 1 year ago at 11:22 am. 1 comment
As the weather gets warmer, we all want to shed the heavy clothing and invite the sun in. But, the sun can be harsh on tender skin. Here are a few beauty tips to help keep your skin healthy in the hottest weather.
Did you know that the skin is the largest organ of the body? It happens to reside on the outside of the body, protecting other organs within. The skin allows oxygen and other nutrients to be absorbed while preventing harmful substances from entering. It also excretes waste products that are harmful to the body.
The skin also acts like a crystal ball. It mirrors the health of the inside of our bodies. When something is out of whack there, the skin will show the world and you.
So, how can you keep your skin looking great – especially during the summer months when you want to show it off? Here are a few beauty secrets anyone can utilize.
* Drink water – Water is important for the body. The majority of our cells are composed of water. Without it, the body cannot function. Each day, we lose water through sweat, respiration and urination. It must be replenished. Remember, when you feel thirsty, you are already in the process of becoming dehydrated.
* Remove dead skin cells – This is often done through exfoliation. Using a sugar scrub once a week can remove excess dead skin cells from the body and the face. Exfoliation also prevents pores from being clogged, resulting in pimples.
* Make good food choices – Eating a lot of fat isn’t good for any part of your body. In the summer, everyone wants to go light. Choose salads and sandwiches instead of fried foods. Eat smaller meals more often instead of three heavier ones.
* Wear a hat – When you are out in the sun, wearing a hat protects the sensitive skin of your face from not only the sun but also from wind damage.
* Wear sunscreen – Even if you are gardening, sunscreen is important. Without a layer of protection between you and the sun, the harmful UV rays are allowed to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and damage them. Use the strongest SPF you can find – at least 50 – even when out in the sun for only 30 minutes. Reapply every two hours.
* Moisturize – The heat can dry out your skin. After a long day outside, bathe and then moisturize your skin so that it can stay supple even while you sleep. Use a light one so that you are not in danger of clogging your pores.
Is your skin ready for the summer sun? In order to keep it looking good, protect it first.
Posted 1 year ago at 11:50 am. Add a comment
Sugar is good. There is no other way to say it. Just one bite and we are hooked. But, you can tame it.
Sweets spike the blood sugar and give us a rush. If you are tired, eating sugar can not only taste good but also provide the needed energy – at least for about an hour or so. The downside is that to achieve the same high again you need more sugar.
The Facts
There are misconceptions about sugar. In the body, sugar is okay in moderation. In fact, all foods are okay in moderation. It’s when we eat too much sugar that we have a problem. If you are trying to lose weight, a sweet tooth can derail you.
Ways to Tame the Sweet Tooth
You can lose the sweet tooth without going cold turkey. In fact, cold turkey often increases our cravings for the thing that we are trying to avoid. Don’t think of it as avoiding sugar, but as trying to increase the presence of something else.
* Cut your sugar in half – If you are used to having a double scoop of ice cream, take a single scoop in a bowl instead of on a cone. Track your snacks. If you eat sugar more than once a day, cut back to once a day. It is a start.
* Introduce protein into your diet – It is a fact that protein cuts down on cravings. It also keeps the munchies at bay. Try a small bit at first if you are not used to it. Eat boiled eggs at breakfast or a slice of cheese. Include protein at each meal.
* Up your fiber intake – Fiber cleans out the digestive system and also keeps you feeling full. It is hard to crave sweets with a full belly. Try whole grain breads for sandwiches, oatmeal for breakfast, and add more vegetables.
* Opt for natural sugars – Eating fruits that are sweet not only gives you that sweet taste, but also nutrients like vitamin A and C. For a sweeter taste, try dried fruit where the effects are concentrated. Watch out for added sugar, though. You may want to invest in your own dehydrator.
* Eat before you go out – This is a trick that works. Eat a small snack or protein or a salad before going out to dinner with friends or to a party. It will cut down on grazing on sweet fare.
* Reward yourself without food – Sometimes we reward ourselves with food for promotions and celebrations. Instead, go shopping. A reward of a trinket won’t increase your sweet tooth or your waistline.
You can tame and even lose that sweet tooth. Instead of going cold turkey, take a little time and a few steps to get it done right.
Posted 1 year ago at 1:40 pm. Add a comment
Are you looking for a relaxation technique that can change your health and your life? If so, you may be a candidate for qigong. This ancient Oriental practice has many benefits for the body.
The thing about yogic practice is that you are never too old to learn. You can begin right now and reap benefits that can improve the next twenty or thirty years of your life. Qigong is a Taoist yoga practice that combines the mind and body in harmony together.
In Oriental practice, qi is also called “chi” (pronounced “chee”). This refers to the life force that runs throughout the body. Each person has a life force that guides their life. It is this qi that keeps the body and mind in balance. For a healthy life, a balanced and unobstructed flow of qi is needed.
Qi flows through what are termed meridian lines. These run along the body and intersect at different points.
Physical Benefits
Qigong may involve movement of the body or movement of the mind. There are different forms of teaching here. With the body experiencing yoga movements, there are physical benefits that go along with it.
The body experiences a greater flexibility, stamina and balance. Muscles are more pliable which leads to greater balance and fewer injuries to the body during daily movements. For busy people, increased stamina is like a boost to the body to keep you moving.
Another physical benefit is total body health. Through movement, any obstructions in the energy flow results in a warm feeling throughout the body. This results in positive changes in the endocrine, cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems – to name a few.
Restoring the flow of qi can release toxins from the body to be eliminated via the lymphatic system. Removing toxins from the body results in better-looking skin and also deeper restorative sleep.
Mental Benefits
Some practices of qigong involve focusing the mind to improve that mind/body connection. To focus the energy, one can learn to concentrate on the breathing. This type of practice can result in greater mental clarity and an opening of the “third eye” which gives you insight into higher spiritual plains.
With a relaxed and enlightened mind, one can also achieve emotional peace. Those who practice forms of qigong have noticed that they experience deeper emotions of joy, satisfaction, and acceptance of themselves and others. When situations of loss and grief are experienced, the process of dealing with them is better handled.
For any form of yogic practice like qigong, practice makes perfect. It takes a measure of dedication to keep the flow of life energy moving through the body unobstructed. For more information and a trained teacher, check for local classes in your area.
Posted 1 year ago at 1:24 pm. Add a comment
Article by Mark Tyrrell of Hypnosis Downloads.com
Shy people instinctively know that they are missing out. Shyness equals lost opportunities, less pleasure and fewer social connections. Shyness can be crippling but there are tried and tested ways to make it a thing of the past.
When I was fifteen, I was shy. I recall an attractive girl attempting to engage me in conversation. My shyness made me focus on me instead of her. I heard my own voice but not hers and I thought about what I was trying to say instead of what she was trying to say.
The formula for shyness is “too much focus on the self” plus anxiety. To make it even more unpleasant, sometimes when you are feeling shy you experience physical sensations which ‘hijack’ your calm logical self.
My pulse raced, my mouth dried up and I felt like the village idiot! I couldn’t think what to say so I said nothing apart from making barely audible grunting noises! Cary Grant eat your heart out! When I detected pity in her eyes (or was it contempt, or boredom) I mumbled my excuse and got out of there. I hated being shy and was determined to change it.
How shyness is developed and maintained
Shyness really is a combination of social anxiety and social conditioning. To overcome shyness you need to learn to relax socially. This enables you to direct your attention away from yourself and gives you the space to practice certain conversational skills. In most cases, the heightened emotions of socializing when young simply condition the sufferer to respond to social events with fear, instead of excitement and pleasure.
Relaxed socializing is so pleasurable, not to say productive, but it is an advantage denied to many until they learn to relax. To start reducing your own shyness, I want you to absorb the following tips and ideas and start to put them into practice:
1) Think about the way you feel and behave around familiar people you are comfortable and spontaneous around. It’s that feeling transferred to new people and situations that equates to your emerging social confidence.
2) Focus your attention away from yourself. Sure, you can think a little bit about how you are coming across, but if all your focus is on your own words and feelings then you might as well be by yourself. Notice what other people are wearing and make a mental note, listen to their conversation, imagine where they might live, make a point of remembering names. Not only does this give you more to talk about, it also ‘dilutes’ social anxiety leaving you feeling calmer.
3) Ask people open questions. Many people like to talk about themselves and will find you interesting if you find them interesting. Ask questions that require more than a ‘yes’/'no’ response such as ‘What do you like about this place?’ rather than: ‘Do you like this place?’ Once they’ve answered use ‘add-on’ questions connected to the first such as: ‘What other places do you like in this city.?’ Next you can express your views. This is a great way to get the conversation going. If the conversation doesn’t ‘take’ then no matter, you’ve done your bit.
4) Stop trusting your imagination so much! Have you ever had an imaginary picture in your mind of a holiday destination only to arrive and find the reality is different from the way you had imagined? That’s how reliable imagination is. Stop imagining what others think. I do lots of public speaking and I’ve long since stopped trying to second guess what others think of me – it’s just too painful. Besides, what a person thinks about you has a lot more to do with who they are than who you are.
5) Stop using ‘all or nothing’ thinking. The ‘completely this/completely that’ style of thought occurs when you are emotional. People who are depressed, angry or anxious see reality in terms of differing extremes, simplistic all or nothing terms. An angry person is ‘right’ and you are ‘wrong’; the depressed person feels like a ‘failure’ while others are a ‘success’. In reality, life is composed of infinite gray areas. So stop fearing that you might say the ‘wrong’ thing! Or that people will ‘hate’ you. Once you start to relax more socially you’ll notice much less black or white thinking because anxiety actually causes you to think in all or nothing terms.
6)Take your time. You don’t have to blurt things out. Ask questions and if questions are asked of you can take time to consider your response (within reason). Don’t just blurt out what you think might be the ‘right’ answer. A slow answer is a relaxed answer.
7) Finally, use hypnotic rehearsal. Hypnosis is the quickest way to change your instinctive/emotional response to any situation. Only think about meeting others when your mind and body is relaxed. This conditions you to associate relaxation with being around new people. In fact you’ll find that when you relax deeply enough often enough whilst hypnotically rehearsing being comfortable around others you’ll reach the point where you just can’t be shy any more! This is what I call a ‘happy inability!’
I now love meeting new people and suspect that my current social confidence would be unrecognizable to my fifteen year old self.
Learn more about overcoming shyness now at HypnosisDownloads.com
Posted 1 year ago at 12:14 pm. Add a comment
The team at entheos has just released the I Am Sleeping Guided Blissitation.
This is a super-relaxing guided meditation that helps you get out of your head and into a deep, relaxed state.
The 50-minute track features Alexandra’s 25-minute guided meditation accompanied by beautiful, soothing music and inaudible “binaural beats” Delta-wave technology that gently helps your brain slow down and move from an active Beta state to Alpha then into Theta and all the way down to a super-relaxed Delta state. (You also get an “Instrumental” only version–with just the Delta waves and music).
>> Check out a sample here. (Listen with stereo headphones to get the full effect.)
It’s only $10. If cash is tight, you can Pick Your Price ($10/$5/$2).
>> Get the I Am Sleeping Guided Blissitation now!
Posted 1 year ago at 8:50 am. Add a comment
