Dandelion (root)

Taraxacum offcinale

Dandelion is a common meadow herb of the Asteraceae or sunflower family that has general detoxifying qualities, making it effective in the treatment of skin blemishes. This common yard plant contains much that is beneficial to our bodies: bitter compounds, choline, inulin, minerals such as calcium, sodium, silicic acid, sulfur, and a high concentration of potassium and in the fresh leaves. In skin care and cosmetics, it helps clear up acne, eczema, and other skin eruptions.

Burdock (root)

Arctium lappa

Burdock is a thistled plant native to the Northern USA, Europe and Asia. The roots and leaves of this plant have been used for centuries as a remedy against skin cancer, acne, eczema, and other skin ailments and diseases. It is mildly antibiotic and can help restore smoothness to the skin.

Yellow Dock (root)

Rumex crispus

Yellow dock, a general systemic toner, when combined with sarsaparilla, provides a treatment for chronic skin disorders. Its active ingredients such as the astringent tannis and the antimicrobial properties of the purgative anthraquinones combine to make decoctions of the plant useful in treating skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema, as well as skin rashes.

Sarsaparilla (root)

Smiilax offcinalls

Sarsaparilla is a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems indigenous to tropical America and the West Indies. Generally classified as a blood purifier, sarsaparilla is combined with yellow dock to correct chronic skin ailments, especially psoriasis. Individuals suffering from psoriasis have been found to have high levels of endotoxins (cell wall fragments of normal gut bacteria) circulating in the bloodstream. Sarsaponin, one of sarsaparilla’s main steroids was found to bind to these endotoxins and remove them, thus relieving the afflicted person from psoriasis. Other health conditions associated with high endotoxin levels include eczema, arthritis, and ulcerative colitis, and can be alleviated also with the use of sarsaparilla.

Purple Coneflower (powder)

Echinacea Purpurea

Echinacea acts as a stimulant to the immune system by increasing the production of specific types of white blood cells and strengthening human cell walls so bacteria and viruses have a harder time getting into cells. Using this herb can protect one against inflammatory conditions of the skin. These wildflowers originally grew wild on the plains of the United States and Canada, but they are now being cultivated in Europe and parts of Asia, as well as in North America. They are taken orally to enhance immune system response and to lessen the duration and symptoms of colds and flu. When applied to the skin, they can relieve conditions such as eczema, insect bites, and psoriasis. Purple Coneflower can also inhibit bacteria and the formation of pus.

Red Clover (blossom)

Trifolium Pratense

Traditionally used to expel toxins from the bloodstream, red clover is prized for being an effective treatment of skin problems because of its high dosage of vitamin B-complex. In folk medicine, fresh red clover flowers have been chopped or mashed and applied directly to skin inflammations such as insect bites. More recently, creams, lotions, or ointments containing red clover extract have been under observation for treating psoriasis and other skin conditions.

Licorice (root)

Glycyrrhiza glaba

The ingestion of licorice in the proper quantities reduces inflammation and redness of the skin. It has also been used in poultices for treatment of dermatitis and skin infections. Licorice is used in combination with other cleansing and healing herbs as an emollient also used a cosmetic skin lightener.

Atlantic Kelp (powder)

Ascophyllum nodosum

Atlantic Kelp is rich in compounds that have specific use in the cosmetic industry, such as polygalactosides, fucose polymers and ursolic acid. These compounds contain abundant non-essential and essential amino acids such as proline, glycine and lycine — all of which are also found in the elastic fibers of the skin — and maintain and improve skin elasticity by improving hydration. This unique seaweed grows exclusively on the North Atlantic coast of North America and Europe and is highly valued as a detoxifier and blood purifier. Its anti-inflammatory properties also benefit blemishes of the skin.

Cayenne (40 HU)

Capsicum Fructescens

The hot and spicy taste of cayenne pepper is primarily due to an ingredient known as capsaicin which when applied topically to the skin can relieve pain and itching by acting on sensory nerves. This same dulling property can reduce itching and inflammation associated with psoriasis. Cayenne functions as a carrier agent that can stimulate and assist the movement of the other ingredients to the sebaceous glands and pores of the skin.

There’s a rather worn-out saying, which goes like this: you are what you eat. Not surprisingly, the cheap soundbite appearance serves as a mask for a deeper truth, since any skin care professional would tell you that diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin. Many skin conditions are caused by diets that actually starve the body instead of bringing in the much-needed vitamins and minerals.

Your skin cannot function properly without the daily supply of vitamins, among which the most important are Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B7, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Vitamin E.

Vitamin A is one of the building blocks of the body’s immune system. It plays a key role in the formation of intact epithelial tissues, which are the first barrier to infections, and also in keeping white cells healthy to fight bacteria. An insufficient supply of Vitamin A can lead to xerosis, which means “dry skin”. The best sources of Vitamin A are milk, eggs, carrots and spinach.

Vitamin B2 is involved in the regulation of human growth, including the health of skin, hair and nails. It can be found in milk, cheese, leafy vegetables and almonds. According to studies conducted by Doctor Hung Leung, deficiency of Vitamin B5 can cause acne. Doctor Leung has actually managed to prove through his studies that regular doses of Vitamin B5 have a positive impact on acne, with milder cases being solved in matter of weeks. This vitamin is common in whole grain cereals, legumes, eggs and meat. Vitamin B7 is used by the cosmetics and health industries in many skin and hair care products. It is also recommended by doctors for strengthening hair and nails. Common sources of B7 are liver and kidney, dairy products and some seafood.

The well-known Vitamin C is not used solely for preventing the loss of teeth, but also to keep skin flexible and strong at the same time. The vitamin is required for the production of collagen in the connective tissues. Collagen is responsible for keeping the connective tissue flexible, yet strong. The best sources of Vitamin C are fruits and vegetables, with the Billygoat Plum (also known as Gubinge or Kakadu Plum) being the undisputed leader of Vitamin C sources (60 times more Vitamin C than oranges).

The body synthesizes large quantities of Vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, which makes this vitamin one of the easiest to get. However, the end of summer means an end to large-scale Vitamin D synthesis and the body has to rely on reserves to get through the autumn and winter. Lack of Vitamin D is one of the causes behind skin cancer. Other sources of Vitamin D are fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) fish and beef liver and eggs.

Vitamin E is used in many skin creams and lotions. It is believed to play a role in promoting skin healing and reducing scarring after certain injuries. It can be found in vegetable oils, nuts, wheat and leafy vegetables.

In the tradition of the “fountain of youth,” and the more modern human growth hormones, another miracle cure for aging has been discovered. In this regard, we need to ask ourselves the big blunt question: “Why do we have to cure aging?” With the countless measures with which man has come up in the recent decades, one would think aging is some vile disease from which we have to protect ourselves. Indeed, upon reading about these anti-aging measures, I realized that through the years, man has steadily replaced the attitude of treating age as a source of wisdom, to treating it with discomfort and even fear. Of course, the flipside also offers some valid arguments. I mean, hey, who wouldn’t want to stay young and beautiful forever?

With man’s technological advancement, various cosmetic treatments have sprouted proclaiming to reverse the manifestations of aging. The most popular of these treatments are the surgical procedures. This latter method is probably the reason why Hollywood suddenly became replete with unrealistically beautiful people. Movies and television shows began to showcase a world of perfect, skinny, smooth-skinned “regular” people. The problem with this is the tiny fact that real “regular” people have to save years of paychecks in order to achieve such glorious transformations.

Because of surgery’s financial inaccessibility, new, more natural, and cheaper anti-aging measures have been developed. One such measure in anti-aging medicine’s vast collection is the Perricone System. This was instituted by Dr. Nicholas Perricone and contained in his book The Perricone Prescription. Basically, the Perricone program consists of a stringent dietary regimen that is guaranteed to remove the manifestations of aging, such as wrinkles, flabby body sections and sagging skin. According to the strict diet Dr. Perricone “recommended”, protein is the key ingredient in the body’s anti-aging arsenal. Protein, as we all know, is the source of our body’s cellular building blocks, which helps in the regeneration of damaged body tissues. Thus, it is easy to perceive its benefits to anti-aging.

The reason for the high-protein intake is the fact that all the hassles of aging are rooted to what Perricone calls “inflammation.” This phenomenon is brought by years of unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet, stress and artificial cosmetic treatments, and is actually the primary cause of undesirable aging. This implies, of course, that along with protein, a person under the Perricone regimen must also remove unhealthy habits, such as smoking, lethargy, alcohol and even the all-important coffee. I guess yuppies like me must now resort to other methods of inducing productivity in the wee hours of the morning.

The Perricone plan’s high protein diet must include a substantial ration of fish and eggs, which are the most popular sources of protein. More specifically, Perricone recommended that we start our day with a breakfast of four eggs with three of the yolks removed. For the rest of the day, fish, preferably salmon, must be the dominant element in every meal. Perricone also prescribed a healthy dose of berries, cantaloupe or macadamia nuts and lots of spring water. Probably the most important feature of Perricone’s diet is its heavy restraint on chocolates, potatoes, butter, past and pizza, every single one of which are daily staples for people who are too busy to prepare complicated daily menus.

The diet, when accompanied with his exercise and skin maintenance programs, would result in noticeable changes in as early as three days. It does sound like magic, doesn’t it?

While part of my brain is rebelling against the restriction of coffee and chocolates and all the other “good things in life,” another part raced through the chapter titles like “It Gets Worse,” which made vampires and werewolves from the food in which I previously indulged. For quite a while, I began to stay away from the junk food section of the supermarket, with Perricone’s words buzzing in my head. With all the allusions to Carbohydrate monsters, it became difficult to eat pizza. However, with my diminishing bank balance, I realized that Perricone’s diet presented various difficulties. The main problem with Perricone’s treatment plan is the fact that the recommended protein-rich diet is not only difficult to live on, but also quite expensive and inaccessible. Local grocery stores would not normally have heaps of macadamia nuts, blueberries and cantaloupes waiting for people in every corner. Moreover, as I recently and with some regret, found out, salmons are not very easy on the budget. As I mentioned earlier, surgery has never really been accessible to persons with low to medium income. While Perricone’s diet is inexpensive compared to these surgical procedure, it would still make quite a huge dent on people’s long-term savings.

Nevertheless, I began to search for cheaper alternatives to Perricone’s plan because I was trying to convince myself that it still offered more practical, and more painless, solutions than the countless cosmetic surgeons’ artistic aptitudes. Compared to being sliced open, I realized that a harmless dietary regimen is a very attractive option. Moreover, to appease my rebellion against the restriction of my favorite poisons, I began to consistenly remind myself that youth and beauty must come with some sort of sacrifice. In fact, giving up chocolates and coffee for tasteless egg whites does not really seem such a huge sacrifice. Perricone did say that we should never venture far from his recommended food. This, of course carries the implication that we may make the venture as long as it is not far. Then again, maybe I’m just rationalizing.

Antioxidant is a popular term in all health care articles. We always encounter such a term whenever we read or browse health articles in the papers, books or magazines. Moreover, almost all advertisements and commercials of beauty and health products always mention antioxidants.

The question to ask ourselves to be able to understand the sudden hype about antioxidants is to know what it is and what can it do to our body.

Antioxidants are chemicals that prevent the oxidation of other chemicals. In biological systems, the normal processes of oxidation produce highly reactive free radicals that can readily react with and damage other molecules which may continue to damage even the body’s own cells. Antioxidants play the housekeeper’s role, “mopping up” free radicals before they get a chance to do harm in your body.

Although all the hype about antioxidants slowing down the signs of aging and promoting skin rejuvenation do not have a solid scientific basis, most skin experts are claiming that antioxidant vitamins and minerals can help in our overall well being by combating the free radicals in our body.

Here are several antioxidant nutrients which appear the most likely to produce benefits to your skin.

Vitamin A or Beta Carotene. It has been discovered that beta-carotene protects dark green, yellow and orange vegetables and fruits from solar radiation damage and it is thought that it plays a similar role in human body. Carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches and apricots are particularly rich sources of beta-carotene.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is a water-soluble compound that fulfills antioxidant role, among others, in living systems. Important sources include citrus fruits (like oranges, sweet lime etc.), green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, raw cabbage and tomatoes.

Vitamin E is a principal fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin in the body. It protects cellular membranes, lipoproteins and other “oily” structures. Skin is high in unsaturated fatty acids (”oily” molecules especially susceptible to free radical damage), and can benefit from vitamin E protection (both oral and topical). Sources include wheat germ, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and fish-liver oil.

Flavonoids are a diverse group of plant pigments with antioxidant properties that contain proanthocyanins and polyphenols that are good for the skin. These substances are responsible for color in many fruits, vegetables and flowers. In addition to providing color that attracts insects or animals, these pigments protect plants from environmental stress. In addition to being potent antioxidants, some flavonoids have antiallergic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activity. Over 4,000 flavonoids have been characterized and classified, but only a few have been researched.

Coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, cysteine and methionine are potent antioxidants.

All skin types of people vary, they can either be too dry or to oily. The most common problem during the summer is having dry skin. Because of this, a number of products have come up that promise to bring back the moisture in your dried up skin.

The dry skin problem can be remedied by using a liquid moisturizer. When your skin becomes too dry, you should buy the cream moisturizers. It is advisable to apply these after baths because this is when the skin pores are open and are able to absorb the moisturizers quickly.

During the summer season, most people go to the beach to tan themselves while others go to tanning booths. People can also use the liquid moisturizers to get the perfect tan. The only difference between a moisturizer-induced tan is that liquid moisturizers get washed off easily while a suntan fade naturally.

The summer is the season when moisturizers are much needed by the body. When choosing the product that is right for you, check the ingredients first to make certain that it does not contain oil. Oil can block pores and results in pimple breakouts and other skin problems.

Your skin is one of the most essential body organs and it needs proper care and attention. It is also the body organ that becomes most affected by extreme sun rays.

The sun has ultraviolet rays that can cause various skin problems, such as skin cancer. However, this can be prevented by obtaining basic knowledge regarding proper care of your skin. The sun’s rays are fiercer from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., within which period, it is better if you stay inside your home or under a shade even if it is cloudy. You must remember that you are more likely to get sunburned near beaches.

The sun’s rays affect everybody; it does not matter if you are young or old. However, children are more at risk since they like playing outside when the sun’s rays are at its most intense. The most effective way to prevent sunburn is to dress your children with dark-colored clothes that cover as many parts of their bodies as possible. You must also apply sunscreen on their skins.

It is also a good option to buy your kids sun-protective swimwear. This swim wear covers as many exposed body parts as possible, shielding them from the sun. Cotton shirts for your children can also minimize sunburn. Dark-colored shirts offer more protection than white shirts. The reason for this is that the sun’s rays can go through those light colored shirts. Dying your children’s clothes with SunDye is one way to prevent the sun’s rays from penetrating them.

A good defense against the harmful effects of the sun’s rays is the application of sunscreens that can be bought in most stores. When you apply sunscreens to kids or babies, make sure that it has no negative effects on their skins. It is also wise to apply it in small doses because babies’ skins are very sensitive. It is important to apply sunscreens on their whole body, including the feet.

Not many people know this, but the lips also get sunburned. To prevent this from happening, you can apply sun sticks or the ordinary lip balms with sun protection. For more information about these products, you must make it a point to always read the instructions. This practice will help you maximize the effects of your sunscreen products. When out for a swim or walk, always remember to reapply your sunscreen every two hours. Doctors often recommend a sunscreen product with an SPF of 30 and above.

When you are out and the sun is hot, it is important to always stay under a shade. When you are planning an outdoor trip, it is wise to always bring an umbrella, hat, tent, and other equipment that can keep the sun’s rays away from you. Of course, you should never forget to bring enough sunscreen products to last for your whole trip.

“You are what you eat.”

Does it sound familiar? You probably have heard of it. And yes, it is true. What you eat affects how well you are and how you look- today and for the years to come.

Balanced diet is needed for optimal health and well- being; as well as having a healthy skin. However, balanced diet is primarily set to prevent malnutrition and vitamin/ mineral deficiencies.

The aim of this article is to provide tips that will help you achieve the skin you have always longed for.

Choose foods rich in vitamin A. Naturally occurring vitamin A or retinol is commonly found in fish oils, dairy products and liver. Vitamin A found in plants is called beta-carotene and is commonly found in yellow/ orange fruits and vegetables like carrot and cantaloupe. This is essential for the maintenance and healing of epithelial tissues, with skin being the largest expanse of epithelial tissues we have. This diet includes plenty of dark orange (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash) and dark green (broccoli, spinach, kale) vegetables — all of which are high in vitamin A.

Choose foods with plenty of B vitamins like B-2 and B-3. These foods convert calories into energy for metabolism and are components of enzymes that maintain normal skin function. The best sources for these are green leafy vegetables, lean meats, eggs, avocados, fish, brewer’s yeast, whole grains and peanuts.

Vitamin C for collagen maintenance. Best sources are citrus fruits and juices, slow cantaloupe, strawberries, tomato sweet peppers and green peas.

Vitamin E to protect your cells against free radicals. This is a powerful antioxidant that helps slow the aging of skin cells and promote healthy skin. A powerful antioxidant, it protects your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism. Foods rich in vitamin E include almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ, peanuts and vegetable oils.

Zinc is for boosting the immune system and promoting optimum health. Zinc can be found in eggs, seafood, turkey, pork, whole grains, nuts and mushrooms. This trace mineral helps maintain collagen and elastin fibers that give skin its firmness, helping to prevent sagging and wrinkles. It also links together amino acids that are needed for the formation of collagen — essential in wound healing.

Selenium is a mineral antioxidant that will help minimized the damage of ultraviolet lights. Researches show that it might even aid in skin cancer prevention. Good sources of selenium include tuna, wheat germ, sesame seeds, nuts, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mushroom and whole grains.

Get rid of spots and blemishes now!

If nobody has ever seen you going out in summer in a skimpy T-shirt or in nothing else than a plain swimsuit then it’s a fair bet to say that your acne is not confined to your face. This means that you’re not just scared to look in the mirror at your face, but you also have to hide your body from the eyes of other people.

Acne doesn’t appear only on your face

Although most of the acne treatment industry prefers to focus on facial acne, since it’s the most obvious and also most common of all types, there are still many people suffering from acne flare-ups on their backs and upper arms. Another factor that contributes to this situation is the resistance to treatments of back acne. The skin on your back is made of tougher tissues than facial skin and its thousands of follicles produce far more oil, which means that a pore’s chances of clogging and turning into a pimple are much bigger.

The same goes for your chest and upper arms. These areas of the body are less exposed to dust and airborne pollution, but suffer from increased exposure to sweat and from the irritation caused by clothes and backpacks. This irritation is one of the causes behind acne flare-ups and can sometimes bring dormant acne back. But since you cannot go around naked, especially since dust would simply replace clothes as an irritation factor, you have to do something about acne.

Our recommendation

Our recommendation is the ClearPores anti-acne system, one of the few on the market to come with a body wash and cream alongside the staple facial products. The oil-free body wash will help you fight acne on your back, chest and arms by unclogging your pores and expelling all the bacteria and oil that cause pimples and other blemishes. Aside from the body wash containing SD Alcohol and Salicylic Acid, the system includes herbal pills, which fight acne-causing bacteria from the inside, and a protection cream that keeps your skin healthy and acne-free through the day.

How to use

Before applying the body wash, you should wet the areas attacked by acne with warm water. Gently massage the wash into the skin concentrating on both the areas where acne has reared its ugly head and on those that have been subject to flare-ups in the past. Keep the substance on your skin for 2 to 3 minutes and rinse with cool water. The body wash should be used twice a day for optimum results. Wait 5-10 minutes after using the body wash before applying the protection cream. The purpose of the cream is to continue fighting the causes of acne and to protect from renewed attacks by bacteria.

The two products are supplemented by the herbal pills, which help the body suppress the activity of bacteria in pores before they can make themselves a home in your skin. Take two pills per day, at any time during the day, with a meal or a glass of water.

Get rid of acne within weeks

The full power of the 3-part ClearPores System will help you first bring acne under control and later to get rid of it for good. Moreover, the ClearPores products do not leave behind the unpleasant looking shiny skin that is a mark of too much oil, as some other products do. The system simply cleanses your skin and helps it look healthy and smooth. This is why we recommend it to all those who are still suffering from this condition. Aside from our recommendation, the ClearPores System is backed by the research of independent doctors, herbalists and websites. Don’t wait! Use this amazing opportunity to rid yourself from acne for good and start a new life.

Vanity is a natural human characteristic. It is innate in all of us. And although most people do not regard their skin as an organ, our skin is in fact the largest vital organ in our body. Skin that is clogged and unhealthy is not just a beauty problem. It can become a hindrance to your sense of vitality and wellness. Proper care of your skin is important not only to your personal sense of beauty but also to proper elimination, more graceful aging and overall health.

There are five major types of skin. Understanding your skin type is the best approach to your personal skin care.

• Normal skin—is the type of skin that we’d all love to have. This is the “healthy” type of skin. This type is the not too oily, not too dry type, characterized by few blemishes, generally firm and smooth with small pores. When you pull the skin away from the bony structure, it springs back to normal position. Lines and wrinkles are appropriate for age.
• Dry Skin—due to environmental exposure to harsh elements and very often lack of water skin may flake off and feel tight in your face. It may lack natural oils, may look rather flaky with small pores, blemishes and blackheads. Without adequate moisture, dry skin can easily become chapped. As dry skin ages, it’s more likely than other types to become wrinkly.
• Oily Skin—skin may look oily and coarse, may have recurring blackheads, acne and large pores. The texture of skin is thick; the touch is often sticky. This type is usually youthful- looking due to the presence of oil on the skin. Often, individuals with oily skin have a tendency to develop acne in their teen and middle years, and overgrown oil glands, or sebaceous hyperplasia, in the middle and late years.
• Combination Skin—varies according to your skin type. This is the Jekyll and Hyde type of skin, often with split personality. This type may be characterized as oily on the T-zone (the area that stretches from the forehead down to the nose and chin), and dry to normal on the cheeks and around the eye area.
• Sensitive Skin—people with sensitive skin are the most prone to allergies, rash, sting, and burns. This type of skin gets irritated easily and can go very red and blotchy. This type will have a lot more trouble to environmental factors and tends to be very sensitive to cosmetics.

Know your skin and take care of it. It is your glory to being healthy and beautiful.