Best Natural Skin Care

Best Anti Aging Cream for Sagging Skin – 3 Ways to Find the Best Natural Firming Product

Henri — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:52:59 +0000

Finding the best anti aging cream for sagging skin is no walk in the park. Many men and women are looking for a natural firming product that doesn’t cause any side-effects in the long-term.

There are many companies that promise you the world, but when you start looking for the proof, there is none to be found.

The skin care companies know that you are desperate for a solution, so they will promise you almost anything to get you to buy their products.

Let me ask you this: how often have you fallen for their advertising? How often have you gotten the results you were looking for? If you’re like me, it isn’t often, if ever, which is why you’re reading this.

1. Ingredients

The best anti aging cream for sagging skin contains natural and proven effective ingredients, such as Cynergy TK and Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10. These both are proven to naturally help your body produce more collagen and elastin in your skin.

Collagen and elastin are two skin proteins that practically determine how you look now and in the future. Unfortunately, when you age, your collagen and elastin levels start to drop, fast.

2. Chemicals

Chemicals are everywhere today. They prolong the shelf-life of creams, make them look and smell better, but scientists are finding that these chemicals aren’t as harmless as skin care companies are making you believe.

Many of them have been proven to cause irritation, allergies, rashes and even cancer in the long-run. Look for a the best natural skin care product that is 100% free from chemicals if you want your skin to look good in the future.

3. Clinical Trials

You also want to look at are clinical trials, which are when the ingredients are put under pressure. Clinical trials are when the ingredient either wins or loses.

For example, I personally use Cynergy TK, which has been touted to be close to a miracle ingredient in the natural skin care industry. It has been proven over and over again to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and make you years younger.

4 Anti Aging Health Tips You Shouldn’t Live Without

Henri — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:46:06 +0000

Anti aging health tips are all the rage in this society where high value is placed on beauty. Everyone can use anti aging health tips every now and then to help them keep up with the latest things they can try out to keep their skin and their body looking and feeling young.

Here are 4 anti aging health tips that you shouldn’t live without as these are truly beneficial for the skin and the body. With these anti aging health tips, you can be sure that the signs of aging are kept at bay.

1) HOT AND COLD SHOWERS

The temperature of the water you use for taking a bath actually plays a role in keeping aging at bay. Cold showers have been used for a long time for its overall benefits to the health.

For one thing, it improves peripheral circulation by causing dilation of the capillaries near the skin’s surface to dilate. This in turn draws blood out from the deeper body parts going to the extremities to warm the extremities.

After a certain length of time, the capillaries will contract and blood will again flow to the deeper parts of the body. Cold showers increase blood circulation to help remove toxins in the body.

It also encourages growth and repair of the circulatory system by stimulating capillary beds that are often left stagnated with blood. It also effectively invigorates and stimulates the skin, making it a great way to start the day.

Hot showers, per se, are not good for the body as it strips the skin of natural oils. Warm water is more appropriate as it helps open up the pores to cleanse the skin of toxins and dirt.

Warm showers also enable skin care products to be more readily absorbed into the skin and increases benefits of body scrubs. Steam from hot showers increase blood circulation so that your skin will get more nutrients and oxygen it needs.

2) BLUEBERRIES

If you want a fruit that is packed with antioxidants, go for blueberries. Not only are they delicious, but they also contain the highest concentration of antioxidants when compared to other fruits.

Blueberries contain high amounts of antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins that fight off free radicals that damage the collagen matrix of cells. Loss of collagen results to the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Blueberries are low in calories so you won’t have to worry about losing your shape either. Munching on blueberries has got to be one of the anti aging health tips you should make a habit out of.

3) WEIGHT BEARING EXERCISE

Exercise has got to be one of the best anti aging tools that we have. It is not only good for the skin but for the body as well. Exercise maintains muscle tone and prevents skin sagging when we get older.

Weight-bearing exercises are also important aside from the regular ones we usually do to prevent excessive loss of bone mass in the future. Exercising regularly ensures not only muscle tone but it also prevents high cholesterol and triglycerides, elevated blood pressure, and keeps weight in check.

4) PARABEN-FREE SKIN CREAMS

The skin is the largest organ of the body. It easily absorbs what is applied to it so we should take care to avoid using skin care products that contain parabens. Parabens are used as a preservative in skin creams and other products.

Studies suggest that it can interrupt the endocrine system, cause cancer, and cause allergic reactions as well. It is best to stay away from something that can cause you to get sick like parabens.

I personally use natural skin care products from Xtend-Life, which have been proven to work amazingly well on my skin.

5 Simple, Yet Effective Natural Cures for Oily Skin Revealed

Henri — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:11:53 +0000

Oily skin causes different problems. It is more prone to acne formation, blackheads, and the pores can look bigger too.

It gives skin a greasy shine that is unflattering and unattractive. If you want to get rid of oily skin, you might want to try out some natural cures for oily skin.

Natural cures for oily skin are safer, more effective, and cheaper than creams made with chemicals and synthetic ingredients.

I’m not saying that creams are bad, just that you have to find natural products that work. I personally have had a lot of success using natural skin care creams.

Here are 5 simple natural cures for oily skin that you can try out at home and see just how effective each one can be.

#1 – YOGURT

Yogurt is not only for better digestion. It is good for the skin too. It has lactic acid that gently strips away dead skin cells that clog the pores.

It may also lighten dark spots and blemishes left by past acne.For oily skin, it is better to use yogurt from non-fat based milk.

Yogurt masks make good facial cleansers and moisturizers. To use yogurt for oily skin, wash your face and pat dry. Apply yogurt then leave on for about 20 minutes before rinsing off. You can also mix yogurt with lemon before applying on your face.

#2 – EGG WHITE

Egg white is another one of the natural cures for oily skin you can use. It tightens the skin, tones the pores, and soaks up the oil from your skin. Egg white contains lysozyme which attacks bacterial cell walls.

To use egg white for your skin, separate the white from the yolk of the egg then beat lightly with a fork. Apply it on your face after cleaning and drying it well.

When the egg white mask dries, it tends to tighten and contract and this action results in impurities being pulled out from the pores of the skin. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes and let it dry before washing it off.

#3 – CUCUMBER

You can also use cucumber for oily skin. The acids in cucumber actually remove oil from the skin while retaining much-needed moisture so you won’t have to worry about dryness or rebound oiliness.

Cucumber is also a natural cleanser that will help rid your skin of dirt and grime that may contribute to the formation of acne.

#4 – HONEY

Honey is not only good to eat but it is also good when applied on the skin. Active manuka honey especially has antimicrobial properties to help combat the cause of acne. Honey is also rich in antioxidants.

Antioxidants are important in protecting the skin and repairing damage caused by free radicals. Honey is also naturally sticky, making it effective in removing dead skin cells from the skin and clearing the pores.

Its waxy property also makes a good skin moisturizer that effectively softens the skin without adding unneeded oil. Apply the honey to clean skin then wait for 20 minutes before washing off with warm water.

#5 – TOMATO PASTE

Tomatoes are a rich source of antioxidants. By fighting off free radicals, you can actually fight off the signs of aging effectively. Tomatoes also help maintain levels of moisture in the body.

For oily skin, tomato paste may be used to absorb excess oil on the face. Tomato paste is better than pureed tomatoes or tomato juice because it has a higher lycopene content. Apply the paste on your face and leave on for 20 minutes before washing off.

Discover the Real Causes of Under Eye Puffiness

Henri — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:11:27 +0000

What are the different causes of under eye puffiness? Eye puffiness may be caused by several factors and regardless of the cause, no one wants them.

When you wake up in the morning with puffy eyes, you just want to get rid of them because they can add years to your face and make you look tired.

The 6 Causes of Under Eye Puffiness

Below are some of the causes of under eye puffiness that you should know about so you can avoid them and get rid of them if you already have them.

1. CRYING. You may have noticed that after crying, your eyes get really puffy. Cheer up and wipe the tears off your face. Your tears from crying actually contain salt that causes the body to retain water. This makes the skin over-hydrated and puffy looking. The salt is eventually washed away in the blood stream and the puffiness will gradually go down.

2. HORMONES. Fluctuating hormone levels cause fluid retention in the body, which can easily show in the skin around the eyes. Hormone levels can be disrupted by a lot of different factors, such as unnatural skin creams, food and so on.

3. SALTY DIET. Eating foods rich in salt is one of the most likely causes of under eye puffiness. Salt causes more water to be retained in the body. Junk food, fast food and processed food all have a high salt content and should be avoided as much as possible as these are not good for the body.

4. ALLERGIES. Allergies may cause the area around the eye to swell. In cases such as this, medications may be needed to control puffing of the eyes and severe symptoms may warrant the need for medical help.

5. ALCOHOL. Drinking alcohol is also one of the causes of under eye puffiness and swelling. It causes water retention under the eyes and in different parts of the body as well.

6. LACK OF SLEEP. Getting not enough hours of sleep in a day can also cause your eyes to puff up. This can also cause the body to retain water.

4 Effective Ways to Reduce Under Eye Puffiness

These are some of the common causes of under eye puffiness. Now that you know what causes them, how do you get rid of them? Here are some of the ways you can reduce eye puffiness.

1. WATER. Use cold water to wash the face. This gets the circulation moving and will help reduce puffiness. Wash your face without harsh soaps because it can further irritate your skin and cause other problems in addition to puffy eyes.

2. CUCUMBER. Place two slices of cool cucumber on your closed eyes for several minutes. Cucumber effectively soothes and rejuvenates your skin, which helps get your eyes back to looking normal quickly.

3. TEA BAGS. Moisten two tea bags with water and place them over your eyes for about 15 minutes. The coolness reduces swelling while tannin in tea helps make the skin taut to reduce puffiness.

4. SKIN CREAMS. Use eye creams that contain ingredients known to help reduce swelling. Eyeliss and Haloxyl are two ingredients that have been proven safe and effective. I personally use Eyeliss and Haloxyl in a daily basis in a skin care line by Xtend-Life, so I know they work, at least on my skin .

Ensuring the puffiness under your eyes is not caused by any underlying medical conditions is also a good idea. Combine some of the above ideas and you’ll be on your way to a beautiful face, minus the puffy eyes.

Information on Anti Aging – How Do We Age and Can We Stop It?

Ingela — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:36:58 +0000

Aging is an inevitable part of life. We all age sooner or later but many fear this process for various reasons. Information on anti aging is considered very precious by a lot of people so that they can prevent the different signs from appearing on their skin.

Let’s face it, you’ve probably just started researching anti aging and are wondering if all of these tips, creams and treatments work.

I’ve been there and done that. There are a lot of bad information out there, but when you keep searching and find the things that work, it will all be worth it.

Let us take a closer look on the aging process, what causes it, information on anti aging options, and which one will probably work best for you.

Why Does Aging Happen?

Aging is brought about by normal wear and tear of the body. Many factors are involved in this complex process and how we treat each system of our body and the kind of environment we live in directly affects the aging process.

Aging is not merely a product of chronological time but of what we do in that time, including our genes and surroundings. You can speed up aging, or you can slow it down, the choice is yours.

What Causes Aging?

A common problem when we get older is that we tend to forget to take care of ourselves. We tend to let our guard down and fail to notice what we do to our body. Aging happens naturally but the process happens earlier in people who don’t take good care of themselves.

Basically, body processes and physiological functions slow down as we get older. However, poor diet and nutrition, smoking, stress, alcohol, and sedentary lifestyle are among the factors that can speed up one’s aging.

What Can Be Done To Slow Down Aging?

If you want to slow down the aging process, you better start taking care of your body as early as possible. Don’t wait until the signs of aging appear on your body and you start to feel the difference for yourself.

One of the most useful pieces of information on anti aging is to start fighting it while you are still young. One thing you can do is to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Skip the greasy, high cholesterol, salty, and sugary foods. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Make sure to drink plenty of water as well. Don’t forget that rest and sleep are important too. Stay away from nasty habits like smoking and drinking alcohol as much as possible.

Protect yourself from excessive sun exposure. The sun is not harmful unless you overdo it. Don’t forget to exercise to keep your muscles toned and your bones strong.

Using Natural Creams

When it comes to information on anti aging, probably the thing most people are looking for are easy solutions like creams and gels they can apply on their skin. Yes, creams certainly are helpful but only if you use the right kind.

In addition, creams are best used as early as possible and should be tried first before resorting to drastic measures such as surgery.

Natural creams are preferred over the conventional chemical-laden creams available on today’s market. Natural anti aging ingredients are safer and even more effective and beneficial to the skin.

I personally use a skin care product line from Xtend-Life. It works very well for my skin, if you want to, you can read my Xtend-Life review.

Uncover the Best Treatment for Dry Skin

Ingela — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:45:31 +0000

Finding the best treatment for dry skin is tricky. There are so many options available today that it is downright confusing. You simply don’t know where to go.

All you know is that you want to get rid of your dry skin, and while I can’t guarantee results, I can help you increase your chances of getting your skin looking beautiful and moisturized again.

If you want to know the best treatment for dry skin, you should first be aware of the different causes of dry skin. Only then can you come up with the best treatment for dry skin that is sure to keep your skin happy and moisturized from then on.

What Is Dry Skin?

Dry skin may come in different forms. From a dry look of the skin, to some minor flaking, and to something as bad as severe itching, cracking, and bleeding of the skin, these can be signs that you have dry skin.

Generally, the drier the skin, the less elastic it will be. The increase in the skin’s tightness can cause other skin problems like wrinkle formation and stretch marks.

What Causes Dry Skin?

As I’ve mentioned earlier, you can only choose the best treatment for dry skin once you know the different causes. Here are some of the common causes of dry skin.

CLIMATE. The climate or the environment you live in affects the dryness of your skin. Usually, dry skin is common in the winter due to the lack of humidity or moisture in the air. Living in dry areas like in the desert can also rob your skin of moisture.

SUN EXPOSURE. The sun can also take a toll on your skin by causing excessive skin dryness even when you wear sun protection like sunscreen. Get to know your skin and its limits. Sunshine is essential to our health, but anything in excessive amounts can be harmful.

DIET. Poor nutrition and diet can cause skin dryness too. Lack of hydration by not drinking enough water will also lead to dry skin and dehydration. Eating a healthy diet and ample amounts of water is important not only for the skin but for the rest of the body too.

SKIN PRODUCTS. You might be unknowingly putting skin care products that contain harsh chemicals on your skin. Chemicals usually used in skin care ingredients like alcohols, fragrances, dioxanes, and parabens can be irritating to the skin and contribute to skin dryness. I personally only use natural skin care products.

What Is The Best Treatment For Dry Skin?

To be able to address dry skin effectively, you need to address the root cause of the problem. If the cold winter weather causes your skin to get dry, you can take warm showers then moisturize afterwards to maximize skin hydration. Make sure you tap, not rub dry, with a towel after bathing.

If sun exposure is the problem, then make sure that you drink plenty of water before and while out in the sun. Avoid the midday sun when the sun is usually harshest and just stay out of the sun whenever possible. Moisturizers can also help keep dryness away.

In terms of diet and nutrition, make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Eat a lot of fresh foods instead of processed, sugary, and greasy foods. Avoid intake of caffeine and alcohol as these can also strip the skin of its moisture.

Be more aware of what you apply on your skin. Natural creams and lotions with ingredients from nature are far safer and more effective than any chemical or synthetic ingredient.

Among the best natural moisturizers are avocado oil, shea butter, active manuka honey, Cynergy TK, nano-lipobelle H-EQ10, grapeseed oil, and macadamia oil.

These are sure to give your skin not only moisture but nutrients and antioxidants as well. How do I know? Because I use them every day on my own skin. You can learn more about the natural skin care line I use by clicking here.

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Ingela — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:58:09 +0000

Do you feel embarrassed to wear your bathing suit because of stretch marks? Do you wish you knew how to get rid of stretch marks?

It is possible both prevent and fade them simply by moisturizing with the right things.

Stretch marks are dreaded especially when the sunny season is arriving and you want to wear lighter clothes, and for once get to use those shorts or that pretty bathing suit.

Most women get stretch marks at some point in their life, some at a young age and others not until older.

Many of us accept them as permanent scars, when there actually are many things that have proven to reduce stretch marks.

Before learning how to get rid of stretch marks let’s look at what they really are . . .

What Are Stretch Marks?

They appear as lines that are pink to purple in color and can turn into light colored scars. The discoloration is small blood vessels that have ruptured, and they mostly appear on places where fat is stored like breasts, belly, thighs, buttocks and also upper arms.

To be honest, stretch marks can be very ugly and destroy your self-esteem if you don’t take care of them. I personally like to prevent them as best as possible by eating healthy and using this natural skin care product line.

What Causes Them?

The most commonly known cause is weight gain or rapid body change of some sort, for example pregnancy or muscle building. Your skin tissue simply can’t keep up with the fast change.

But there are also some other underlying causes which can make you more susceptible for getting stretch marks and scarring:

Skin depleted of collagen and elastin (Can be caused by aging)
Hormone imbalances (Caused by puberty, pregnancy, depression or drugs)
Poor nutrition leading to weaker cell walls

So, think about if you may have some of these underlying issues, and address them to get better long-term improvement and for preventing stretch marks.

3 Tips for How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Getting rid of stretch marks does not happen over night, not through natural treatments nor unnatural ones. Surgery or laser therapy is an option, but natural treatments are surely better for healthy, beautiful skin and long term improvement.

One thing to think about though is that the earlier you start treating them the faster will they fade away, so it is better to do it before they become deep scars. You succeed in reducing them later too, it will just take a bit longer.

It took a while for them to form and it may take several months or more to get rid of stretch marks, but it is really quite simple.

#1. NATURAL SUBSTANCES

There are plenty of things that you can apply to your skin that have shown to fade stretch marks effectively, due to their high content of fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients.

For example Jojoba oil, Grapeseed oil, active Manuka honey and Shea butter can help reduce scars and marks, and also have moisturizing and anti-aging effects.

#2. ACTIVE BODY LOTION

Using a completely natural, yet advanced body lotion with active ingredients is another simple way to get rid of stretch marks. It absorbs deeply within minutes, so you can go on with your day straight after.

With a scientifically formulated body lotion you are using the right quantities of numerous effectively repairing ingredients, which work in synergy to heal even faster. It should be rich in healing vitamins and ingredients that increase the collagen and elastin in your skin, and have at least 50% active ingredients.

#3. NUTRIENTS

You will definitely facilitate the healing process the stretch scars by upping your stores of vital nutrients and making sure you don’t have any deficiencies. Foods rich in silica and zink are important for optimal collagen growth. Vitamins essential for repairing and skin health are vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin D, and vitamin A to mention a few.

It is also important to remember the fats. You strengthen your cell walls by eating healthy fats from natural foods and supplements like omega-3 fish oil capsules.

5 Quick Beauty Tips That Will Supercharge Your Skin

Henri — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:02:21 +0000

Let’s face it, we don’t have unlimited time, which is why you’re looking for some simple and quick beauty tips that will help your skin look good naturally.

Becoming and staying beautiful is not as difficult as you think. In fact, you can easily do a number of things that will help your skin be more glowing and healthy through these quick beauty tips I have for you.

These 5 quick beauty tips are sure to rejuvenate and breathe life into your skin.

#1 – FACIAL MASKS

Facial masks are applied on the face for cleansing, absorbing oil, moisturizing, or smoothing out the face. It may also be applied just to give a refreshed feeling to the skin. It is usually left to dry on the face.

Different masks are available depending on the skin problem you have and the effects you want to achieve. Make sure you spread the mask evenly and avoid being too rough in applying it on the face. When washing it off, don’t pull on the skin and only pat dry with a towel.

#2 – AVOID MAKEUP WITH CHEMICALS

Chemicals will never do your skin any good. Most cosmetic companies use chemicals and synthetic ingredients in their products so they can cut down on costs, which should not be the case. Of course, as consumers, we think the safety of the customer should always be given the highest priority, not money.

Chemicals like dioxanes, parabens, fragrances, and alcohols will only irritate your skin and cause dryness and allergic reactions, and some of these can even increase your risk for cancer. Mineral oil is another ingredient in makeup that should be avoided.

It actually blocks the pores, ridding the skin of its natural means of breathing and eliminating toxins and dirt. Pay more attention to the label and be sure that you avoid chemical-laden products as much as possible.

#3 – EAT NATURALLY

What you put in your body reflects on your skin. If you eat oily, high cholesterol foods like fries, chicken, burgers, and pizza all the time, your skin will become oilier as well.

Instead of eating greasy, salty, and sugary foods that are high in additives, coloring, and preservatives, choose fresher options like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like fish, tofu, and nuts.

These foods will provide your body with much-needed nutrients and keep your skin healthy and glowing as well. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help the skin maintain and restore its self.

#4 – RELAX

One of the best beauty tips I can share with you is to take some time to relax using meditation, yoga, or massage. Meditation helps rejuvenate the different glands in the body that are believed to be directly linked to aging due to the hormones produced by these glands. It is also said to activate the body’s own healing anti aging ability.

Yoga helps relax the body too and promotes spine flexibility, skin firming, correct posture, muscle tone, and increases one’s vitality.

Massage is another form of relaxation. It helps with the anti aging process by helping exfoliate the skin, improving blood circulation, and increases suppleness of the skin.

#5 – ENJOY

The last of the quick beauty tips I have to share with you is don’t forget that you should enjoy life every single day. Don’t stress over trivial things and always look for a reason to smile in every situation.

Be grateful for the company of good family and friends. Keep the frown off your face and wrinkles are sure to stay away too.

Anti Aging Nutrition – 4 Foods That Promote Beautiful and Soft Skin

Ingela — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:20:58 +0000

When it comes to anti aging, nutrition may play a bigger role than you think.

It is true that you are what you eat and your skin will definitely show what you are eating.

When it comes to anti aging nutrition, there are certain foods that you need to increase your intake of to be able to provide your skin with the nutrients it needs in order to maintain and repair its self.

For example, I think you already know that junk food won’t do you any good, but what exactly should you eat instead?

In this article we’ll go through simple anti aging nutrition and what foods you can eat more of if you want to stay young and wrinkle-free.

Here are four anti aging nutrition foods that are sure to help you glow radiantly even at an old age.

1. ORANGES

Juicy and sweet, oranges are highly known for their high vitamin C content. Oranges are popular all over the world and are pretty much available around the year depending on variety. It is a versatile ingredient for recipes that can add certain tanginess to dishes and is great even when eaten on its own or squeezed to make juice.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps fight off free radicals that cause skin damage. Vitamin C is also important for the production of collagen in the skin. Collagen is an essential protein needed to keep skin firm and smooth.

Vitamin C also helps with wound healing and helps boost the immune system. Eating oranges and other rich sources of vitamin C will help provide your skin with anti aging nutrition.

2. KALE

Green leafy vegetables are an important part of our diet. One such vegetable that gives a number of benefits to the body and helps with the anti aging process is kale. Kale is part of the Brassica family together with broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

It is packed with different vitamins like A, C, E, K, and B-complex which are all important in maintaining good skin. These vitamins each play a role in keeping skin healthy and vitamins A, C, and E powerful antioxidants that help prevent free radicals from wreaking much havoc in the skin and the body.

Studies also suggest that kale may be effective in preventing cancer due to its high sulfur-based phytonutrients. Those watching their weight need not worry about kale as it is actually one of the most calorie-light vegetables.

3. RED GRAPES

The vibrant color of red grapes should tell you the health benefits it has to offer. Flavonoids, which are very potent antioxidants, give grapes their red color. Antioxidants are important to help fight free radicals in the body.

Reservatrol is another substance found in red grapes. It protects the heart from developing diseases by preventing platelets from clumping together and forming blood clots that can block the arteries of the heart and by preventing oxidation of LDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol, when oxidized, gives rise to damaging effects to the arteries.

4. STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries are also rich in vitamin C needed for collagen production. Aside from high vitamin C content, strawberries are also beneficial in keeping the heart healthy through its high potassium, and low sodium content. Strawberries also contain phenols, which are known to prevent cancer. If you are pregnant, you may also benefit from strawberries due to their high folate content.

It really is easy and simple to eat your way to healthy skin. These foods are delicious and nutritious at the same time so you get full benefits without any effort.

Image by Justin Knol

How to Prevent and Reduce Dark Under Eye Circles

Ingela — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:11:24 +0000

Nothing makes me feel more tired (and even old!) than seeing dark under eye circles in the mirror in the morning.

Fortunately I know of some sure-fire ways to both prevent and get rid of dark under eye circles.

Although the only instant solution is to cover them up with make up, but that won’t help you in the long-term.

I used to have a bit darker skin underneath my eyes, but it has gotten lighter since I addressed some underlying issues as well as started using this natural eye serum.

Let’s look into what those circles really are and what may be causing them for you.

What Are Dark Under Eye Circles?

I am of course talking about those dark half circles under the eyes, which some even call “panda eyes “. Most people have them to some degree and they mostly come with bags or puffiness under the eyes too. For some people the skin under the eyes has blue-red pigmentation as well.

Dark under eye circles are capillaries – tiny blood vessels – which show through the skin and sometimes get darker than normal.

6 Causes of Dark Circles Under Eyes

There are quite a lot of different things that can cause dark under eye circles, maybe that’s why so many of us have them. Some of the things have directly to do with getting older while others can happen to people of any age.

1. Poor Blood Circulation. When your blood is circulating slower than usual capillaries get darker because of accumulated hemoglobin. This slower circulation can be caused by for example fatigue from sleeping too little or caused by aging.

2. Leaking Capillaries. The circles and blue-red pigmentation can also be caused by leaking of those tiny blood vessels, which mostly is because of rubbing the area and aging.

3. Nutrient Deficiency. Dark circles can also be a sign that there is something wrong in your body, like a nutrient deficiency. A common nutrient to be deficient in especially for women is iron.

4. Loss of Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic acid is a substance in the skin that keeps it youthful, but when you get older this acid is slowly broken down. Without enough hyaluronic acid dark circles can form.

5. Thinning Skin. Another thing caused by aging is the thinning of the skin. When there is less fat plumping up the skin it may get darker and larger blood vessels can start showin.

6. Genetics. Finally your genetics may be the thing messing it up for you if it is common in your family to have very thin skin under the eyes, the skin may appear darker.

3 Tips for Prevention

The best way of avoiding dark under eye circles is of course to prevent them. I try to make sure I do all of these things so that my eye skin stays light throughout my life. Several of the remedies further down can also be used as prevention.

1. Avoid Rubbing. Any touch that is too harsh for the delicate skin around your eyes can cause rupture in the small capillaries which causes leakage of hemoglobin. Avoid rubbing the skin altogether; when drying the skin only dab it gently with the towel and when applying something do so gently with your finger, avoiding touching it with nails or rough skin.

2. Sleep Enough. When sleeping there is a regeneration of sorts going on in your body which keeps up your blood circulation. It is important to get enough deep sleep because that is when the most repairing is happening. I know that sometimes I have a hard time getting to bed in time myself; there is always something more to do. But I make sure to get 7-9 hours of sleep most of the time to avoid getting a tired appearance.

3. Eat Healthy. To avoid deficiencies that easily could cause eye circles and premature aging signs it is vital to have a varied, nutritious diet with lots of vegetables and fruits. Also remember to drink lots of water and reduce salt intake to avoid puffy eyes.

4 Ways to Get Rid of Dark Under Eye Circles

Now we are getting to the exciting part; how to reduce dark under eye circles. As I mentioned, getting rid of the dark under eye circles won’t happen over night.

Treat the skin consistently for at least a few months and you’ll start seeing the wonders of natural skin care.

1. Home Remedies

There are plenty of simple home remedies for reducing dark circles, with various degrees of efficacy. Here are a few examples:

Almond oil, rich in vitamin E and has anti-aging benefits.
Cold tea bags, like chamomile tea. The tannins in the tea remove discoloration.
Cucumber slices, it is very refreshing and hydrating, and cucumber does have a lightening effect.
Slices of avocado, which also is rich in vitamin E.

All of these things can just be put under your eyes, and be removed after at least 15 minutes. I haven’t tried all of them myself so I can’t say if they will work, but it is always worth a try; at the very least you will get some relaxation.

2. Eye Serum

If you find the right eye contour serum you can get rid of dark under eye circles pretty quickly, with the best eye creams it can take about four to eight weeks. It should be a completely natural product; you don’t want any chemicals on your delicate eye skin.

Make sure you look for one with ingredients that are proven effective in reducing dark circles. Especially peptides, which are fragments of proteins, are effective as they help boost blood circulation, thicken the skin and strengthen the capillaries.

It is good to use an eye contour serum just for prevention too, at least that is what I do, and it keeps my eye skin moisturized, smooth and light.

3. Multivitamins

Sometimes a nutrient deficiency can cause dark circles, puffiness and other aging signs to happen around your eyes. A natural multivitamin will help your body get back to normal fairly quickly.

I personally take this multivitamin supplement every single day. It gives me more energy, increases my sense of well-being and keeps me healthy.

It has been shown that even men and women who eat an extremely healthy diet are usually lacking in a few nutrients. The reason is because the nutrients in our food today are extremely depleted.

4. Exercise

An effective way of increasing the blood circulation in your whole body is simply to exercise and get that blood pumping. When your blood flow is increased there won’t be dark hemoglobin accumulating under your eyes and you can get rid of those under eye circles.

Make sure you pick an exercise form that you like, because the key here is to exercise consistently. If you exercise once a month, it won’t do much for you. Try dancing, yoga, rock climbing, swimming or whatever strikes your fancy!