Health and Beauty Tips - Body Beautiful Skin Care

It will be winter soon here in Western Europe and I am always in the quest to have my skin stay healthy and not dry nor itchy during the cold chaffy days. Instead, I was able to find an article about beauty tips for summer! Summer is still long away but I just would like to share this article with any reader interested to look fantastic during the warmer summer days.

Although the focus of the tips is for the summer, it has useful information for winter beauty tips as well and the scientific explanation why ... such as skin getting harder and drier or rougher during cold season.

Here is the full bibliographic reference to the following helpful article:

"Body Beautiful Skin Care." Ebony May 1994: 112+. 

As spring approaches, thoughts wander to breezy summer attire, romantic evening strolls, sunbathing and romping at the beach. And then we take note of our rough, weather-beaten hands or look into the mirror at our dry, ashen skin, and spring dreams turn into complexion nightmares. But don't panic. Instead, fight back against the assault winter's cold, blustery weather has dealt to your skin. Now is the time to take account of the skin you're in from head to get ready for the body-revealing days of spring and summer.

Winter's frigid temperatures, lower humidity end icy winds leave skin dry and scaly, says Chicago dermatologist Dr. Rene Martin Earles. "There is a decrease in circulation and decrease in perspiration," he says. "And some people even experience a slower rate of the skin naturally shedding its outer layer. All of this results in a decrease in the suppleness of the skin. The skin is drier and feels rougher."

But your skin is exceptionally resilient, and with proper care and attention, it can bounce back from winter's doldrums. Skin, the largest organ, is a natural protective shield for the entire body. It helps transmit nutrients to hair and nails, helps regulate body temperature and even eliminetes certain wastes in the form of perspiration. Diet, hormones, climate, drugs, emotions, health and physical trauma all affect your precious skin.

First and foremost, a beautiful complexion is dependent on proper diet. If throughout winter you slacked off on nutrition, make a change for the better right now and start by eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and cutting down on your fat, cholesterol and salt intake. protein foods help prevent premature aging, and Vitamin A is good for dry skin. Healthy skin also needs adequate Vitamin B-complex. In addition, take note of how your skin reacts to certain foods and products, for many people have allergic reactions to chocolate, caffeine, citric acid, shellfish and soft drinks.

For a beautiful complexion, it is important that you thoroughly cleanse your face daily to remove dirt, soot, grime, old makeup and the skin's own constantly shedding outer layer. Never go to bed with makeup on, for it clogs the skin's pores and leads to blemishes.

Identify your skin type - oily, dry, combination or normal - and adopt a basic skin-care regimen that is right for you. And regardless of your skin type, never scrub or use harsh deodorant soaps on your face. If you have oily skin, it is most important that you cleanse your face at least twice daily and gently exfoliate your entire body to remove dead skin cells and prevent blocked pores that tend to cause blackheads and other blemishes. After washing your face with a mild soap or cleanser formulated for oily skin, use an astringent to remove all traces of soap. Then apply a light moisturizer. Throughout the day use powder or oil-blotting tissues keep the shine down.

If you have dry skin, stay away from drying soaps and instead use a creamy cleanser, followed by a toner and a good moisturizer. Those with sensitive skin should take note of how their complexions react to various cosmetics. Fortunately, there is an abundance of skin-care and makeup products formulated specifically for sensitive skin.

And don't forget the rest of your body. Lavish on moisturizers to keep your entire body soft and supple. And pay special attention to the trouble spots - hands, elbows, knees and feet - for they have fewer oil glands. If you have been neglecting your nails and feet all winter, now is the time to get them ready for summer's extra exposure. Get a professional manicure and pedicure and learn to care for your nails yourself. To remedy dry, rough, cracked feet, smooth on rich lotion or petroleum jelly and then put on socks before going to bed. Thousands of women, young and old, attest to this home remedy. If you have calluses on your hands or feet, visit a dermatologist to have them shaved off.

Dr. Earles also points out that as the weather gets warmer, there is a greater incidence of acne, fungal growths such as athlete's foot, and skin yeast infections The severity of all can be lessened with treatment. In addition, individuals who know or suspect they have skin disorders. rashes in particular, brought on by exposure to the sun should check with a dermatologist and take preventive measures It should be noted, adds Dr. Earles, that some medications commonly taken for high blood pressure may negatively react to exposure to the sun, resulting in a rash during the summer.

Today's Black man realizes that having great skin and practicing good hygiene enhance his appeal rather than detract from his masculinity. As with women, the harshness of winter weather takes its toll on male skin, so men must take a little extra care to help combat nature's elements.

Fortunately, there are a number of unscented face and body lotions that are great for men. After thoroughly washing the face and body, apply lotion to combat dryness. Ashy skin is never flattering, regardless of your other assets. And like their female counterparts, Black men should put extra moisturizers on the rough spots, including dry, cracked lips.

Because of their hair texture, many Black men are affected by razor bumps, or ingrown facial hair. To help avoid the problem, the skin should be softened with plenty of soap and water or shaving cream before shaving, Also note that the razor blade should move in only one direction.

Chicago dermatologist Dr. Rene Martin Earles, who treats numerous patients with complications from razor bumps says over the years he has found that depilatories work best for those who have severe problems. He points out that depilatories are creams. solutions and powders that are mixed with water and used to remove facial hair. "They break the bonds of the hair at the surface level of the skin." he explains. "When hair is broken that way. there is much less of a tendency for it to curl back into the skin.

However. for Black men whose skin is irritated by depilatories. Dr. Earles recommends using an electric shaver with a single edge. He advises against using 11 double-edge shaver because it cuts the hair off below the surface, allowing it to curl into the skin and form bumps.

Skin irritations resulting from razor bumps can lead to infections. scarring and keloid formation. To treat the problem. Dr. Earles recommends that the male patient first stop shaving. Then the facial hairs are manually removed and the skin is treated with antibiotics. Once the skin heals. another method of shaving or hair removal is recommended. Mary Black men with severe razor bumps opt to wear a beard.

After you get your complexion in beautiful condition, you should concentrate on perfecting the art of applying makeup. The key to a professional look is understanding that makeup is intended to enhance your natural beauty. Here are some tips from makeup experts with Fashion Fair Cosmetics.

* Sound foundation. After cleansing and moisturizing your face, use a cover stick a shade lighter than foundation to smooth out facial blemishes and uneven coloring, especially around the eyes. Those with oily skin should dust the face with loose powder. Then apply the foundation, which should match complexion and be applied with an upward, dabbing motion rather than a downward rub. Take care to end foundation into hairline and neckline achieve consistent tone. Then generously dust on loose power to set makeup and hold down the shine.

* Enticing eyes: To ease puffiness, try sleeping on your back with your head elevated. Sliced raw white potatoes, cucumbers and herbal tea bags placed over the eyes for several minutes also help alleviate puffiness. in addition, cut down on salt and foods high in sodium. To combat wrinkles and discoloration around the eyes, use a good eye cream. This spring, try earth tones to achieve shading without a lot of color to shape eyes into a beautiful polished look that is not overstated. For a dramatic, evening look, apply more color next to the lashes. For a lifting effect. line the top lid with a brown, black or navy pencil. Also note that this spring, eyebrows are strong and well-defined, adding more expression to the face. With brow pencil or brush-on brow, fill in brows where hairs are sparse. but resist completely reshaping the brows.

* Cheeky cheeks. Blushers, which should complement eye and lip colors, are important for an overall healthy look for spring. Warm colors such as bronzes. browns and peachy oranges look great on Black women. To apply blush, start at the apple of the cheek just below the cheekbone, and brush upward toward the top of the ear. And make sure you blend the, cheek color into the foundation and especially into the hairline. Then dust with more powder to hold blusher in place.

* Luscious lips: Full, well-defined lips are still the rage, Every woman should have red, bronze/brown orange coral and plum/burgundy lip color in their collection. Start by priming lips with a clear lip moisturizer. To give definition and hold lipstick in place, line and loosely shade in lips with 3 lip pencil that is complementary to the lip color. However, be aware that filling in lips with dry liner can lead to chapped lips. Also, the liner should not be seen. so take care to blend it in with lip brush. For matte finish, line lips, powder them before applying lipstick, and blot afterwards.