How to Choose the Best Coconut Oil for Your Skin

Are You Really Using the Right Type of Coconut Oil?

      Want to discover the first-rate coconut oil? Here’s your guide to choosing the quality coconut oil for your skin..

If there’s one splendor staple that’s effortless to worship, it’s coconut oil. Extracted from the meat of mature coconuts, this all-natural ingredient has turn out to be a pores and skin, and hair care savior, thanks to its nourishing nutrition, versatility, and delicious aroma (did we mention it smells like cake.)

Coconut oil is filled with medium-chain fatty acids, a kind of saturated fats that can assist soothe and moisturize dry, infected skin, It’s also filled with antioxidants, which combat free radicals and inflammation. It’s obtained a rep for clogging pores though, so keep away from using it on your face.

Beyond its mad moisturizing skills, coconut oil can be used to tame frizz, soothe a sunburn, de-chap lips, and even dispose of makeup. It’s additionally reachable to have round when combatting keratosis pilaris, a pesky pores and skin circumstance that motives dry difficult bumps, additionally recognized as “chicken skin”.

But when it comes to deciding on a coconut oil to add to your splendor routine, it is essential to be choosy due to the fact now not all coconut oils are created equal. Different sourcing and processing strategies have an effect on the fine of the oil, and now not constantly in a top way. For example, the greater processed the coconut oil is, the greater probable the nutritional vitamins and different vitamins that make it a splendor superhero have been stripped away.

Coconut Oil for Skin Care Product

Coconut oil is the oil extracted from the edible, fleshy “meat” of a coconut. It’s a herbal saturated fat, and is compromised nearly totally of medium-chain fatty acids. While that can also now not appear like whatever extraordinary, coconut oil is one of the solely sources of medium-chain fatty acids, which is what makes it so noticeably for skin.

Lauric acid, the predominant medium-chain fatty acid determined in coconut oil, has confirmed antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Other chemical supplies in coconut oil, which include phytonutrients and polyphenols, act as antioxidants, and have different tissue-supportive and tissue-protective properties. Studies exhibit that these really helpful homes now not solely make coconut oil an exceptional moisturizer, it additionally helps to minimize micro organism related with acne, infections, and different pores and skin conditions, and can enhance wound recuperation with the aid of growing collagen cross-linking. 

How to Choose Coconut Oil for Your Healthy Skin

So how do you make sure the coconut oil you’re buying is high-quality? Here’s what the specialists had to say about sussing out the high-quality kinds.

Understanding the Label

When selecting coconut oil products, the first place you have to look is the label. Product labels use smart buzz phrases like ‘virgin’ or ‘pure’ however what do these phrases actually mean? We take a deeper look so you understand what information to look for in the labeling. This information will assist you buy the best coconut oil for your needs.

Taste and smell

You’re not searching for a piña colada here. The taste and smell of a actual coconut oil is faint and have to smell like you’re cracking into a fresh coconut. If your oil has a roasted or nutty smell, that means it has been heated to at least one hundred fifteen levels Fahrenheit, meaning it is no longer raw. This strips the coconut oil of a good quantity of its primary nutrients. Without those, what advantages of coconut oil are you truly getting?

Remember, Skinny Coconut Oil is made with a patented Nutralock System that usually keeps the oil below a hundred levels Fahrenheit.

Is it organic or gluten-free?

Studies have proven that coconuts don’t have significant pesticide residue, and since only the meat is used in making the oil—and not the shell that would be uncovered to pesticides—you don't generally need to purchase organic. Reputedly, many of the top coconut oil brands are organic.

The one exception? If you are buying subtle oil, it is frequently recommended to splurge on organic, because organic certifications prohibit the use of certain potentially dangerous chemicals in the extraction process.

Oh, and don't worry if the label would not say anything about gluten—coconut oil is naturally gluten-free. If you’re buying pure coconut oil, you don’t have to seek out a certification to make sure a gluten-free product.

Makeup remover

Coconut oil is a extraordinary make-up remover, because it breaks down fat-soluble impurities like makeup, as well as sebum, which is responsible for oily skin. If you wear a lot of make-up or have more of an oily skin type, you can use coconut oil as an initial cleanse, but then you have to follow that up with a mild water-based wash for a more complete cleanse after.

Coconut oil can really do a fairly proper job at getting rid of dirt and oil buildup that happens during the day, however it frequently leaves an oily residue behind which can lead to breakouts, so if you have acne-prone skin and still want to attempt this method, just make sure to use a mild cleanser afterward to get rid of extra oil.

Refined vs Unrefined Coconut oil

Sometimes referred to as regular coconut oil the refined form of this coconut oil is made from copra, or dried coconut meat, and has been thru a refining process. There are different methods to refine coconut oil, but expeller-pressed or cold-pressed are the most famous methods.

Cold-pressed extraction results in a slight coconut flavored oil. The expeller-pressed technique purifies the oil using bleaching clay and deodorizes. The resulting refined coconut oil has almost no coconut flavor and a greater smoking temperature that’s why it’s famous for cooking with. 

How to Make Sunscreen Protecting Your Skin Properly

Sunscreen Can Protect Your Beauty Skin

     Sunscreen helps protect the skin, although it is similar to toothpaste. If you don't use it enough or use it incorrectly, it won't work. Instead of cavities, you expose yourself to premature aging (wrinkles, sagging skin, and sun-induced melanin deposits) or worse, skin cancer.

Although no sunscreen cream is 100% effective at protecting your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays, many sunburns are the result of using the wrong or infrequent sunscreen.

Sunscreen is safe and can keep your skin pores from skin cancer and premature aging. However, it is not as effective as sunblock, until it is applied properly. Follow this dermatologist's guide when you apply sunscreen. (aad.org)

Should Sunscreen Come Before or After other Products?

As long as the sunscreen is at least SPF 30, waterproof, broad-spectrum, and applied about a quarter of a minute before going outside, it doesn't matter in what order you apply your skincare products. Many women find it convenient to work with their bare skin — before makeup or moisturizer is added. Find what works for your routine.

If you are concerned about coating certain products, talk to your dermatologist.

So, How much Sunscreen to use?

Almost nobody uses it as much as they should. To get the SPF in a sunscreen bottle, you should use about 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of your skin. So, how does that translate into the amount you can estimate? This is approximately the same as a full glass, and about 2 tablespoons. Sunscreen is for your face only, a nickel-sized spoonful should be applied. And if you using a spray, apply it until your skin looks shiny. Keep in mind that sunscreen requires to be reapplied every 2 hours, or more frequently after swimming, and sweating profusely.

Sunscreen should be worn daily, no matter where you are, indoors or outdoors.

Fully indoor activities don't need sunscreen, but many of you abandon the sunshine you get daily from just running errands, and all the 'accidental' sun damage adds up. That's why using a sunscreen every day is suggested, so you're always protected and don't have to worry about it.

That means even if you spend most of the day indoors, indoor UV exposure can happen from the ultraviolet that penetrates through the glass, namely UVA. UVA is emitted at the same level, during the day, as UVB, which is blocked by the top of the glass in the middle of the day.

The Magic SPF Number is 30.

The American Academy of Dermatology commonly recommends an SPF of 30, because it is clinically verified to be a sufficient quantity of protection to reduce or limit the damaging impacts of sunlight,

When used properly, there is little distinction between a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and something more protective.

But, in the real world, women don't use sunscreen as much as they should, and women don't reapply it. This finally means that the SPF value is diluted. Start with a greater SPF, to begin with, serves as a safety internet to make sure good quality protection for a long time.

What About Sunscreen on Face?

Particularly, you can use the equal sunscreen you apply on the body to your face, unless you’re acne-prone skin (in which case, again, you have to find a proper non-comedogenic formula, like these formulas that we love).

But you have to be more careful with your face. It does this by spraying directly onto the face (if you have a spray sunscreen on, put it on the hands first, then rub it in) and it also guards all the bases.

Apply from the center of your face and then rub it outwards to the hairline, so that no area is missed. Areas that are regularly overlooked are made up of your hairline, sections of hair, neck, and ears, so be sure to give these fields some extra love. You have to be applying about a quarter-sized dollop worth of sunscreen to your face alone.

Makeup with sunscreen baked in is famous for a reason, and that works too. But it gets complex when it comes to reapplying during the day if you’re put on a full face of foundation.

Sunscreen vs Sunblock

Sunscreens, which are made up of naturally happening chemical compounds such as octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, and ecamsule, rely on chemical reactions to absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which is then detached from your skin,

By the way, sunscreens consist of mineral components such as titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide that physically block Ultra Violet rays. So the main difference between sunblock and sunscreen lies in the method they protect your skin pores from UV rays. Sunblock is so named because it blocks UV rays by forming a physical shield, whereas sunscreen contains chemicals that absorb UV rays before the skin is exposed to the sun's heat. Sunblock is great for the skin also.

Sunscreen and sunblock also have different ways of utility. Because sunscreen only works if it is absorbed by your skin, it requires to be applied. But exactly, sunblock can also be applied, because it functions as a physical barrier. But, you must use sunblock evenly, because UV rays can hit your exposed skin, no matter how small. Since sunblock is not applied topically, it normally leaves a white cast on your skin, while the sunscreen is entirely gone.

Commonly, sunscreens are created to protect against UVA rays, which increase skin damage. Sunblocks, however, is formulated to stop damage triggered by UVB rays, the kind that can cause your skin to burn. But many sunblocks and sunscreens tick every box, helping prevent wrinkles and sunburn.

So the conclusion is that sunscreen can protect your skin from UV damage.

How to Choose the Best Routine Skin Care Products

How to Choose The Best Skin Care Product that Suits You

     

     A silky-smooth texture, a bright glow, and a rich, even color are hallmarks of lovely skin. If that’s what you’re after, you have to improve a rock-solid skincare routine steps that include selecting the proper products. According to statista.com in a 2017 survey, 33 percent of women in the United States who are interested in beauty and cosmetics purchased facial care products once per month.

Great pores and skin is not simply a matter of DNA — your everyday habits, have a huge impact on what you see in the mirror.

But depending on which skin care product reviews you read or dermatologists you consult, there is a dizzying number of opinions on the entirety from how to moisturize to how to guard yourself against UV rays. Finally, caring for your skin is simply personal. Here’s what you have to keep in mind to sort thru all the noise.

Don't Buy into The Hype

Packaging and reputation are sometimes easy traps that we fall into, and should not keep too much weight, or value, into what we choose for what's proper for our skin. If you are going to purchase a skin care product based on a buddy, or influencer's recommendation, you should not just pay attention to how good their skin appears now, but instead what kind of skin they were dealing with to begin out. That will provide you with a more reliable indicator of how properly the product will work for you.

In the past few years, cult favorites like multiple Mario Badescu creams and the St. Ives Apricot Scrub have faced complaints from consumers who experienced some quite serious adverse reactions. No need to panic if some of these products are sitting in your cosmetics drawer at home—this doesn't mean they're awful for everyone. 

But the backlash round some of these famous skincare brands and products can serve as a reminder that just because something gets the popular vote doesn't mean that it is popular for the right reasons, or that it is the proper product for you.

Checking the components listing is still the best way to go, no matter how many positive opinions or stars the product has online.

Your skin is as special as a fingerprint, and caring for it means getting to know how to build your routine with the proper products to help your skincare goals. Use these guidelines to begin.

Know Your Skin Type

Getting to recognize your skin type is a great area to begin when you’re thinking about building a skincare routine. Recognize your skin type -- oily, dry, sensitive, or combination. The purpose is to add products to your regimen designed for your unique skin type.

Let’s say you have dry skin, and you pick a product meant for oily skin. You will make your dry skin worse. It’s impossible to select the proper skin care products without understanding what type of skin you’re working with, so do your homework first.

Dry Skin – Instead of lotion, dry skin is better equipped to deal with cream and ointment. It is less irritating, and lotions with jojoba oil, shea butter, or lactic acid are your best friends. The best and safe moisturizer for dry skin has these ingredients.

Oily Skin – When it comes to oily skin, the operative word is extra sebum production. To manage this, use products containing Benzoyl Peroxide and alpha hyaluronic acid. The latter assist in hydrating the skin. Good face moisturizer for oily skin is lightweight and comes with non-comedogenic formula and sunscreen.

Sensitive Skin – When it comes to sensitive skin, the lesser components your product has, the better. Some of the best-suited factors for this skin type are aloe, chamomile, green tea, and even shea butter.

Go for Scant Quantity at First.

According to wikiHow, At first, purchase a smaller amount, and don't directly apply on the face. Try on a different area of your skin to see how you react to it. If you don't suffer any awful reactions, you are fine to use it more broadly. Then if you like the product, you can continually buy more.

Find Ingredients that Work for Your Skin

Depending on whether you have sensitive, dry, or oily skin, you’ll prefer to look for certain components and keep them away from others.

Dry skin

Use an ointment or cream, it's more effective and less irritating for dry skin—instead of a lotion. Look for a cream, or ointment containing jojoba oil, olive oil, or shea butter. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, other ingredients that assist soothe dry skin include lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, lanolin, and mineral oil.

Sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, the fewer ingredients in a product the better. Don’t use excessive anti-aging ingredients. Look for calming components such as green tea polyphenols, chamomile, and aloe.

Oily skin

Use an oil-free, non-comedogenic (doesn’t block pores) foaming cleanser that consists of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to stop breakouts. Oily skin still always needs a moisturizer. Choose lightweight, non-comedogenic components that consist of sunscreen.

Don’t hesitate to ask a dermatologist surgeon

If any doubts stay about the most appropriate skin care products or an over-the-counter cosmetic product is not getting the job done, consult a dermatologic surgeon for help.

Keep Away These Foods for Your Healthy and Beauty Skin

Foods to Avoid for Your Clear Skin

      If you're prone to dry, itchy, and inflamed skin, your diet might be to blame. Find out what foods might be causing your skin irritation.

If you're not sure which foods are right for your pores and skin and which ones are harmful, you're not alone anymore. Few studies have proven the link between these unique ingredients and skin pore health. And much of the "common knowledge" people ignore about skin consumption and freshness is based entirely on the case of men or women.

The condition of your skin is a reflection of your overall vitality and health. A nutritious food regimen that keeps your interior healthy will help keep your outside looking good. On the other hand, a poor food regimen will show up on your skin.

Some of the specialists who specialize in the respective fields of nutrition and dermatology are here to tell you which foods can help keep your skin smooth and healthy, and which ingredients are more likely to cause rashes, blemishes, and skin breakouts.

Causes of Skin Irritation 

Irritated skin can be caused by many factors, from dry skin to the right texture, and even food allergies.

Eczema and food allergic reactions often go hand in hand. Food allergies can also play a role in worsening dermatitis. For other people, eating or just touching certain foods can also cause their skin to react (allergic contact dermatitis).

When your skin is affected, warning signs can also include redness on its own, or together with swelling, rash, or itching. A skin reaction to food can be instantaneous or take hours or even days to appear.

Some food allergic reactions can be severe, causing a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Foods and Drinks that can Ruin Your Skin

1. Alcohol

If you want to stay warm this winter, take care of your skin (and your heart) by drinking some liquor. In a climate without blood, it is necessary to abstain from or reduce alcohol intake. Because it will tend to make you lose warmth more effectively than dilating the blood vessels.

If you use an "alcohol blanket" to fight off the cold, your skin will not be happy. The dehydration you experience may cause dry skin pores and in some severe cases, frostbite.

2. Gluten

Gluten is a form of protein that you can find in wheat and barley. If you have sensitive skin, you should try to minimize your intake of gluten as it can cause a scaly, bumpy, and itchy rash. Also, some gluten or oily foods can even cause acne breakouts on the skin. Common foods that may contain gluten, for example, whole grain bread, soy sauce, beer, and cereals.

3. Milk

Dairy products and non-organic meats and poultry can change the balance of hormones in your body because they contain hormones and antibiotics. (medicalnewstoday.com) Experts suggest all of the patients with acne and rosacea keep away from dairy products, cheese, ice cream, and non-organic meats unless they are hormone and antibiotic-free.

The points is that antibiotics in the diet have been linked to a reduction in gut bacteria, which is anti-inflammatory and reduces oxidative stress—all things that are important for skin health and anti-aging.

4. High-glycemic Foods

High-glycemic foods that are high in starch and sugar can cause an increase in blood glucose and insulin levels. When that happens, it can trigger adverse skin reactions, such as oily skin and clogged pores which can lead to acne on your face.

Common foods that have a high glycemic index (GI), for example, sweets, fried foods, pizza, pasta, packaged snacks, and carbonated soft drinks.

5. Fast Food

Most fast foods are deep-fried in advanced vegetable oils, such as canola, safflower, and peanut oil, and are loaded with trans fats. While vegetable oils may also sound healthy (they do include the term "vegetable") they can make your skin condition worse, because they are very high in omega-6 essential fatty acids.

Omega-6 is very important for your health and well-being. You need a positive number of them for growth, enhancement, and functioning of intelligence. But as a pro-inflammatory nutrient, problems can also happen when you have too much omega-6 and too little omega-3 in your diet.

You might start to see a pattern here: irritation is the main reason underlying chronic skin conditions. So, when you eat too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3—which is a natural anti-inflammatory—your body is more likely to exhibit frequent symptoms of inflammation: redness, swelling, pain, and the like.

What people learn about shows that those who eat the most fish and seafood have the lowest costs of acne and oily skin.

Omega-3s are found in abundance in wild fish, algae, grass-fed meats, chia seeds, and seafood, and high amounts of omega-6s are found in fast foods, processed foods, and fried foods, you can see how quickly. these ingredients do not promote skin health.

And let's not forget a few other important facts, though: many vegetable oils used in fast food are very sensitive to heat and light, and turn rancid when exposed to excessive temperatures. Dropping this fat in a hot frying basket will oxidize it, thereby generating free radicals. Free radicals have been shown to damage human cells—such as healthy skin cells and pores—and cause premature aging.

6. Sugars and Refined Carbohydrates

Sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners are well-known culprits behind many skin conditions, but most people don't know why other than that they're just "bad for you." Sugar, which includes refined carbohydrates such as pasta, bread, and processed foods, works against your skin in three ways.

- Increase oil production and clog pores. After the consumption of sugar, you release insulin, which regulates your blood sugar levels. Because refined sugar is digested very quickly, large amounts of insulin must be released to get it into your cells as quickly as it is digested.

These insulin spikes cause the secretion of excess oil, which triggers the reaction of changing clogged pores, acne, eczema, and more.

- Sugar does age your skin. Refined sugars and refined carbohydrates bind to collagen molecules, which results in the formation of compounds known as "Advanced Glycation End Products" or "AGEs" for short (ironic, right?). The body cannot break these bonds, and the collagen molecules that could otherwise be used are rendered useless.

- Refined sugar feeds the bad bacteria in your intestines. After being fed, these bacteria grow and multiply, crowding out the good bacteria and causing a bacterial imbalance. That imbalance often relates to rashes, acne, and more.

7. Foods Grown with Pesticides

Foods that contain high levels of pesticides have been linked to skin cancer and signs of advanced aging. That's why Goldenberg suggests avoiding foods that are part of the Environmental Working Group (EWG's) that are dirty and may contain pesticides. This includes berries, apples, grapes, spinach, celery, nectarines, and peaches. However, there is no need to cut healthy fruits and vegetables out of your diet. Just opt for organic produce instead.

The Truth About Vitamin E Oil Benefits for Skin

What Vitamin E Actually Does for Your Skin

    

      Famous as an antioxidant, vitamin E helps the body in a number of other ways, such as helping your immune system and helping keep vessels healthy. You can slather it on your skin or swallow it in a capsule.

Vitamin E is not a single vitamin, but rather a group of fat-soluble vitamins with antioxidant effects.

Antioxidants fight free radicals, which are electrons that have broken off from an atom. Free radicals have been linkedTrusted Source to a wide range of health conditions, from cancer to premature aging.

Vitamin E oil is derived from vitamin E and can be applied directly to the skin, or added to lotions, creams, and gels. It is available for purchase in many health stores. Many supporters of vitamin E oil argue that it is a potent antioxidant, but research on its benefits is mixed.

What is Vitamin E Oil?

Vitamin E oil is a naturally-derived oil with antioxidant benefits, which explains its growing popularity in skincare. Vitamin E exists in foods like avocados, almonds, olive oil, and sweet potatoes, and some people consume vitamin E as an oral capsule, but its primarily used in skin care.  The ingredient is sometimes listed as tocopherol, a form of vitamin E.

Who should use Vitamin E Oil?

Safe for many skin types, including sensitive skin, vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties to calm and hydrate even the most irritable complexions. You should proceed with caution if you have acne, since the oil can be very thick. It’s heavy, so if you are acne-prone it could make you break out more,  If you have rosacea or dry skin, seek lightweight formulations that absorb quickly, or products combined with hyaluronic acid and other anti-inflammatory agents like aloe or green tea.

How much vitamin E do you need?

Unless your diet is very low in fat, it’s likely that you’re getting enough vitamin E. But smoking, air pollution, and even exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays can deplete your body’s stores of the vitamin.

According to the National Institutes of Health, adults and teenagers should get about 15 mg of vitamin E a day. Women who are pregnant should get the same. Women who are breastfeeding should increase their intake to 19 mg.

For children, the NIH recommends 4-5 mg for infants, 6 mg for children ages 1-3, 7 mg for those ages 4-8, and 11 mg from those ages 9-13.

You don’t need capsules and oil to get vitamin E. Many processed foods, especially cereals and juices, are fortified with vitamin E. It’s also found naturally in many foods, including:

- nuts and seeds

- vegetable oils, especially wheat germ, sunflower, and safflower oils

- avocados and other fats

What happens if I don’t get enough of it, though? 

Vitamin E deficiencies are incredibly rare among adults, if you do have a deficiency, you may experience loss of muscle coordination, impaired vision, and impaired speech. People who are at risk of deficiencies are those who have trouble absorbing fat (since it’s fat soluble), so if you have any sort of irritable bowel disease, you could potentially be at risk.

How does Vitamin E Benefit Skin?

Topically, it can be very helpful [for] a range of skin disorders, as well as skin repair," explains board-certified dermatologist. It assists in various kinds of cellular restoration from sun damage to healing support for scars or burns. But how does vitamin E work on the skin? What is the mechanism?

As mentioned, vitamin E is an antioxidant. A quick refresher on why antioxidants are so important to our health, topically and internally: They prevent oxidative damage to cells by helping to remove free radicals (the bad guys).

Free radicals are on a destructive quest to become stable, so they are ready and willing to snatch an electron from anything that comes in its path, including DNA, skin proteins, connective tissues, and cell membranes. The more you can quench the free radicals' thirst for stability, the better your skin will be protected, which is where vitamin E comes into play.

Vitamin E on face as overnight treatment

Vitamin E oil can be used on your face as an overnight anti-aging treatment. Since vitamin E has a thick consistency, it’s best to apply it before bed so that it can fully absorb.

If applied in the morning, you may have difficulty putting makeup or serums on top of it.

Typically, you can apply a serum or oil mixture containing vitamin E as an all-over treatment on your face. This is different than using vitamin E to spot-treat a blemish, using a beauty treatment mask for a brief period of time, or taking an oral supplement that contains vitamin E.

Applying vitamin E as an anti-aging or skin-conditioning agent overnight involves letting the product completely absorb into your skin.

Most over-the-counter anti-aging creams contain between .05 and 1 percent Trusted Sourcevitamin E as one of their active ingredients. Look for a product with a high concentration of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol is often the ingredient name), or search for pure vitamin E oil.

Conclusion

Despite development of new formulations for use in skin care products and cosmetics, there is a lack of controlled clinical trials providing a rationale for well-defined dosages and clinical indications for oral and topical vitamin E. After so many years of research on vitamin E, it is still unclear as to whether millions of dollars worth of vitamin E products paid for by patients and consumers have been of any benefit. A better understanding of this vitamin may help in evaluating the indications and dosage regimens for the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic skin disorders.

Best Routine Habits for Healthy Beauty Skin

Daily Habits to Make Your Skin Healthy and Beauty

     

       So you want to start a skincare routine, but you have some questions: How much product should I use? Which is the right one for my skin? In what order should I apply these products? And what do they do?

Many women spend a lot of money on skin care products and cosmetics, in the hope of getting beautiful and healthy skin. However, they fail to realize that healthy and beautiful skin actually starts with the right skin care routine.

A growing study of the role of skin care reveals this fact. In studies it was found that one's daily skin care routine has a positive impact on one's overall skin quality, especially if supported by effective products.

To help you achieve beautiful and glowing skin, here are the daily skincare habits you should practice.

Skin Care Tips Before You Start

Think of your skincare routine as being made up of three main steps:

1. Cleansing (Washing the face)

2. Toning (Balance the skin)

3. Moisturizing (Hydrates and softens the skin)

The goal of any skincare routine is to perfect your skin tone so that it functions properly, as well as solving problems or targeting any areas of your skin you want to treat. A beauty routine is an opportunity to see changes in you. As the needs of your skin change as you age, so do your products. this is not about creating perfection. Practice these 3 steps to become your daily skin care fortifying your skin.

Cleansing

The first step in any good skincare routine is cleansing. The type of cleanser you use is more important than you think, a gentle face wash is the way to go, especially if you plan to use more of the active ingredients in the future. Many women clean too much or too often, with cleansers that are too harsh, and that will actually break down your skin barrier.

Washing the face is the most basic and important step of any routine. Your skin comes into contact with environmental pollutants, dirt and other factors on a daily basis which must be gently removed. Wash your face twice a day, morning and evening, to avoid clogged pores, dullness and acne.

Toning

Toner is actually an optional step, but if you have a toner you like you should use it. Toners can be a great way to balance your skin's pH. If you have acne-prone skin, look for a toner specially formulated for acne with ingredients such as salicylic acid to soothe acne. If you have dry or sensitive skin, choose a toner that hydrates to soothe dry skin.

Toner should be taken after cleansing and before putting on anything. The traditional method of application is to wet a cotton pad and apply it to your face. You end up losing a lot of beauty products.

Applying the toner with clean hands is most efficient. Just pour a few drops into the palm of your hand and wipe. Or if you want, you can open the cotton so it's not too thick before applying the toner.

Most formulas can be used morning and night, but you may want to use them with an exfoliating acid only at night or every other day.

Moisturizing

After you've taken care of your skin, it's time to hydrate. Moisturizer keeps your skin hydrated and helps strengthen your skin's barrier. For daytime use, opt for a lighter moisturizer, which will absorb quickly and won't cause pilling under makeup. If your skin is drier, try a thicker formula, like cream. Look for ceramides or hyaluronic acid, as these are building blocks for moisture retention in the skin.

The most basic function of a moisturizer is to hydrate and soften skin. Essentially, moisturizers help prevent water loss through the outer layer of the skin. They can complement protective oils, which are found naturally and other building blocks within your skin, such as ceramides. This is one product that dermatologists recommend to use year round, for all skin types. Skin naturally loses its ability to retain moisture, as it ages, and everyday activities, such as washing, can strip natural hydrators from the surface.

Destress and Focus On Relaxation

Stress produces breakouts. Stress puts your body in a fight-or-flight state, which causes your brain to release more hormones, causing acne. If you have a stressful lifestyle, make sure that you keep exercising for at least thirty minutes, to help relieve stress. Want to get started? You can also try one of the free running applications on the internet. Other ideas are meditation or starting a journal and writing down your thoughts. Sign up for a yoga class, which is great for both fitness and relaxation. Listening to your favorite music and practicing deliberate breathing will help you relieve stress.

Eat a balanced and healthy diet.

You eat right to maintain a healthy weight, but eating the right foods can help your skin too. Eating certain foods & beverages may actually affect acne. Scientists are studying whether eating certain carbohydrates like white bread, white potatoes, cornflakes, chips, pretzels and drinking skim milk can make acne worse.

Cut Down on Sugar

Excessive consumption of sugary drinks and foods can have an impact on the skin, and can also be a cause of acne. People who often consume more added sugar have a 30% greater risk of developing acne, and those who regularly eat pastries have a 20% greater risk. So, before you opt for expensive acne treatments, try to drastically cut down on sugar.

For starters, you can easily reduce sugar consumption and reduce alcohol intake, avoid drinks and foods that have high sugar content on the nutrition label, and minimize refined carbohydrates.

Don’t skip the sunscreen.

The sun's UV rays dries your skin, so your body reacts by producing more oil. And you know what it means more oil More importantly, exposure to UV rays of the sun can cause skin cancer. So do yourself a favor and never leave home without sunscreen. Just make sure it's oil free!

Changes in Your Skin

Another important aspect of having a healthy skin routine is: keeping an eye on the changes in your skin. Skin goes through a lot of changes as you reach your 40s, 50s, and beyond. Dryness, with flaking, itching, and even cracking can occur, although this was never a problem before.

Age spots can make a startling appearance, and so can bright red spots called cherry angiomas — harmless dilated blood vessels. You've definitely noticed what happens to the surface of your skin when you shower, bathe, or wash your face. Not every skin change is benign If a new mole appears suddenly, or an existing mole changes in size, shape, or color, see your doctor immediately, as it could be a sign of skin cancer.

When to see the Dermatologist

If your skin problems do not go away with over-the-counter products, you should see a dermatologist.

More severe scarring, acne, or other problems may require prescription treatments like oral antibiotics, birth control, or topical prescription retinoids. Your dermatologist may perform an extraction for deeper cysts, or pimple spots that have stuck under your skin.

Remember that your skin type can affect how the product works. Using the wrong products, even natural ones, can cause breakouts, make blemishes worse, or cause redness. It's best to find out what type of skin you have and build your skincare routine around that. You can also log product ingredients to see if certain ingredients are causing any unwanted skin reactions.

Skin Cancer Symptoms and Treatment Options

Skin Cancer Symptoms and Treatment

     Skin cancer is the most common disease in the United States, and affects more than 3.5 million Americans annually. Non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma have not spread to other parts of the body and may need minimal surgery or topical treatment.

With advances in technology in the field of medicine and routine examinations, skin cancer dermatology can provide the examinations needed to detect skin cancer. But, at the end of the day, you're your skin's first line of defense. Examine yourself regularly with a hand mirror. If you notice a body part that looks unusual, call a specialist to have it checked.

Definition of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer occurs when skin cells grow abnormally, and uncontrollably, and form tumors. The most common types of skin cancer in humans are:

Squamous cell carcinoma:

The cells are flat and constantly shed, squamous cell carcinoma is similar to an open sore, and is red and scaly. When the cells become cancerous, they can slowly spread to other parts of the body if not treated.

Basal cell carcinoma:

Often found in sun-exposed areas such as the shoulders, neck, and head, basal cell carcinoma can reappear if not removed completely. Patients who had basal cell carcinoma in the past were more likely to have it again.

Melanoma:

This type of skin cancer can spread to other parts of your body and can be fatal if not treated early. An early skin cancer diagnosis is essential for the most effective treatment.

All potential cancerous skin growths should be biopsied to confirm the diagnosis of cancer. Depending on the type of skin cancer suspected, the method of skin cancer biopsy that is performed is slightly different, and it is indispensable.

Any potential melanoma requires a surgical biopsy, where the entire growth is removed surgically if possible. A pathologist will examine the sample using a microscope to find out if cancer cells are present.

    Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells, and most often occurs on skin that is exposed to sunlight. But this common form of cancer can also occur in areas of the skin that aren't usually exposed to sunlight.

Skin cancer occurs when your body does not repair damaged DNA in skin cells, so cells divide and grow uncontrollably. Damage to skin cells can be triggered by a variety of factors, including genetics and skin type. However, most cases of skin cancer are triggered by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, which is produced by sunlight. Skin cancer may appear as dark spots, lesions, sores that don't heal, or lumps on the skin. The type of skin cancer depends on which skin cells are damaged.

You can reduce your skin cancer risk by:

- Avoid exposure to UV radiation.

- Examining the skin for any suspicious changes can help you detect skin cancer in its early stages. Early detection of skin cancer gives you the greatest chance of a cure in the treatment of skin cancer.

Skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, often starts with changes in the skin. These changes can be new growths or precancerous lesions, noncancerous changes that may become cancerous over time. An estimated 40% to 50% of white people who live to age 65 will develop at least one skin cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma

Of the 3 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year, more than 80% are basal cell types (according to the American Cancer Society). This cancer grows in the basal cell layer of your skin, the bottommost part of the epidermis.

This type of skin cancer tends to occur in areas of your skin that are often exposed to the sun, such as the head and neck. Basal cell cancer is usually slow-growing, and rarely spreads or metastasizes to nearby lymph nodes, or perhaps to more distant parts of the body.

This type of cancer can also recur in the same location where the original cancer was formed. People who have had basal cell carcinoma have an increased risk of developing new basal cell cancers elsewhere. As many as 50% of these patients have an opportunity to develop a new basal cell carcinoma within 5 years of their first diagnosis.

Early Detection of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is cancer you can see. Unlike cancers that grow inside the body, skin cancers form outside the body, and you can see them. That's why screening for skin cancer, both at home and by a dermatologist, is so important.

Early detection could save your life. Learning what to look for in your skin gives you the power to detect cancer early on before it becomes harmful or deadly.

You Can Find Skin Cancer Symptoms

The best way to detect skin cancer is to have it checked out. You will see freckles on the skin. And you have to check everywhere, from your scalp to the spaces between your toes, and the bottoms of your feet.

If possible, your spouse can help. Your partner can examine areas that you cannot see for yourself, such as the scalp and back. Get into the habit of examining your skin for changes. Monthly skin cancer screenings are especially useful. If you've had skin cancer, your dermatologist will tell you how many times you should have your skin checked.

Is Skin Cancer Inherited?

Because most skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light, skin cancer is usually considered a non-hereditary disease. But the fact that skin cancer is much more common among people who are poorly pigmented, and that skin color is inherited, supports the proposition that genetics is critical. There are some very rare genetic syndromes, which cause an increased number of skin cancer cells in affected humans.

Symptoms of Skin Cancer.

Skin cancer will develop, especially in areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, including skin cancer on the face, scalp, lips, neck, ears, chest, arms and hands, and feet. But it can also form in areas that are rarely seen, such as the palms of the hands, under fingernails or toenails, and in your genital area.

To detect skin cancer, knowledge of the symptoms of this disease is very important. Skin cancer is categorized into 3 different types, signs and symptoms of the disease vary according to the type.

1. Basal cell carcinoma

Flat, flesh-colored, or brown streaks like scars on the skin

Pearly or see-through lumps on the skin

2. Squamous cell carcinoma

Flat scratches with flaking and crusty surface

Knots - like bumps on the skin that are taut and red

3. melanoma

Discolored moles, which look like they are bleeding

Bruises on the feet that don't heal.

Small scratches with irregular borders and areas that appear red, white, blue, or blue-black

Dark patches on the soles of the feet, palms, fingertips, or toes, or the mucous membranes lining the nose, mouth, vagina, or anus.

Skin cancer affects people of all skin colors, including those with darker skin tones. Melanoma is more common in people with darker skin tones and is more likely to occur in areas of the body that are not normally exposed to sunlight, such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. (cancer.net)

How Cancer Spreads in Your Body.

Cancer can spread via the tissues, lymph system, and blood:

lymph system. The cancer spreads from where it started by getting into your lymph

system. Cancer will travel through lymph vessels to other parts of your body.

Network. The cancer spreads from where it began by growing to nearby areas.

Blood. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into your blood.

Signs and Symptoms of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma mostly occurs in areas of the body exposed to UV light, such as the face or neck.

Basal cell carcinoma can appear as:

- Bump of pearl or wax

- Bleeding wounds or scabs that heal and come back

- Flat, flesh colored or brown lesions

Signs and Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs in areas of the body exposed to the sun, such as the hands, face, and ears. Those with darker skin are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma in areas that are not exposed to the sun often.

Melanoma signs include:

- Large brown freckles with dark spots

- Painful lesions that itch or burn

Small lesions with irregular borders and areas that appear red, pink, white, blue or blue-black

- A mole that changes color, size or taste or bleeds

- dark lesions on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, the tips of the fingers or toes, or on the mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, vagina or anus

Squamous cell carcinoma may present as:

- Hard red bump

– Signs and symptoms of melanoma

- Flat lesions with a scaly and crusty surface

Melanoma can form anywhere on the body, on normal skin, or on moles that turn cancerous. In women, this type of melanoma cancer develops most often in the lower legs. In both men and women, melanoma can occur on skin that isn't exposed to the sun.

Melanoma can affect people of all skin colors. In humans with darker skin tones, melanoma often appears on the palms or soles, or under the fingernails or toenails.

How to Diagnose Skin Cancer

A visual examination is usually the first step in making a skin cancer diagnosis. Monthly self-exams, and annual skin cancer doctor visits are highly recommended to screen cancer for potential disease. If a suspicious skin abnormality is found, the doctor will prioritize examining the area first, noting its size, shape, color and texture, and any bleeding or crusting. A skin cancer doctor can also check nearby lymph nodes, to see if they are enlarged. If you are seen by a general practitioner, you may be referred to a dermatologist who can perform more specialized tests and make a diagnosis.

To diagnose skin cancer, your doctor may:

Check your skin

Your doctor may examine your skin to determine whether your skin changes are more likely to become skin cancer. Further tests may be needed to confirm the results of the diagnosis.

Remove the suspicious skin sample for testing (skin biopsy).

Your doctor may remove any suspicious-looking skin for lab testing. A biopsy can determine if you have skin cancer, and what type of skin cancer you have.

A doctor may use a special microscope to examine suspicious body parts more clearly, in a process known as dermatoscopy. In most cases, the skin cancer is removed at a skin cancer clinic. If the dermatologist determines that the skin cancer is melanoma or Merkel cell carcinoma, more intensive treatment will be needed.

2 Types of Tests for Diagnosing Skin Cancer

Biopsy

In most cases, the doctor will remove the entire growth of the cancer cells. During the procedure, the doctor will numb the area before taking a sample of tissue.

There are a variety of different biopsy methods, but an excisional biopsy is the doctor's way of removing all growths that are enough to treat skin cancer.

Other types of biopsy include a shave biopsy, in which your doctor shaves off the top layer of the lesion, and a punch biopsy, in which the doctor uses a special instrument to cut a small part of the tumor, including the deeper layers of skin. . .

Your doctor may also do a biopsy of the suspicious lymph node to see if it contains cancer cells.

Imaging test

Most skin cancers, particularly basal cell carcinoma, which is the most common form of skin cancer, don't spread to other parts of the body. Melanomas and Merkel cell carcinomas spread more easily. In such cases, one of several medical imaging procedures can be used to determine if cancer cells have spread to your internal organs and bones. Imaging procedures include: CT scans, X-rays, and MRIs.

These imaging procedures are non-invasive and painless. If suspicious spots or metastases of skin cancer develop, a more invasive biopsy may be needed.

Options for Skin Cancer Treatment

      Most cases of skin cancer can be treated in a skin cancer clinic, or by outpatient surgery. But the more aggressive skin cancers, such as melanoma or Merkel cell carcinoma, can form tumors, and require more extensive treatment, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or immunotherapy.

There are different types of treatment for humans with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis.

Many types of treatment are available for people with basal cell carcinoma, skin squamous cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis. Some are standard treatments, and others are currently under clinical trials.

A clinical trial of a treatment is a research study that is intended to help improve current treatments, or obtain information about new treatments for people with cancer. When clinical trials show that the outcome of a new treatment is much better than the standard treatment, the new treatment can become the standard treatment. The patient may consider participating in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not had treatment before.

Treatments for skin cancer are:

Surgery

Most skin cancers are treated surgically, particularly basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are usually removed by a dermatologist as part of an outpatient treatment procedure. More aggressive cancers, such as melanoma, may need further surgery to remove the tumor.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy may be an option for patients with advanced skin cancer, such as Merkel cell carcinoma that has spread to other organs. This anticancer drug is designed to stop or slow the growth of rapidly dividing tumor cells.

Topical medicine

These forms of non-surgical therapy include photodynamic therapy, topical chemotherapy and immune response modifiers. They are typically used to treat early-stage basal or squamous cell carcinoma or noncancerous lesions.

Targeted therapy

The targeted therapeutic drug is used to treat melanoma and some non-melanoma skin cancers, such as the rare case of advanced basal cell carcinoma.

Immunotherapy

Checkpoint inhibitors and cytokines are 2 types of immunotherapeutic drugs that can be used to treat certain cases of Merkel cell carcinoma and melanoma. These drugs were created to trigger the human immune system, to identify and attack cancer cells.

Radiotherapy

Radiation treatment may be recommended by your doctor after surgery, to kill any remaining cancer cells in the place where the lymph nodes were removed. This treatment can also be used for recurring skin cancer to relieve symptoms, or reduce the spread of the disease.

Is Skin Cancer Deadly? 

The most common forms of skin cancer are squamous cell and basal cell cancer. Melanoma is the rarest and most aggressive form, it can be cured if detected early. The estimated 5-year survival rate for those diagnosed with early-stage melanoma is 99%.

Summary

Skin cancer often affects some people in the USA. Every year, more than 3 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed. Most skin cancers are non-melanoma, and if detected early, can be treated by a dermatologist with an outpatient treatment procedure. Melanoma makes up only about 1% of all skin cancers, but is responsible for over 90% of skin cancer deaths.