Skin Care Secrets - How to Shrink Your Pores

Do you have big pores? Many women (and sometimes men, too) will spend hours in front of their magnifying mirror fretting over them, and will often waste their money on the latest purported pore-reducing gizmo at the drug store. What are these tiny holes that can drive you nuts? Pores are tiny openings in your skin that allow the sweat glands and oil glands access to your skin's surface. At the bottom of the pore sits the oil gland. Then a microscopic "tunnel" rises to the surface of your skin. The opening of that "tunnel" is the visible part of the pore. Why can they look so big? Oil, sweat, dirt, makeup, dead skin, all can accumulate inside that tiny opening and essentially stretch it into a bigger opening.

How do you shrink them? Here are four suggestions:

1. Cleanse and Exfoliate - You need to keep your pores clean in order to keep them small. More specifically, you need to keep your pores "cleaned out". If you pores are getting bigger, then you are not effectively cleaning out the oil, sweat, dirt, makeup, and dead skin. Get this debris out of the "tunnel" and it will shrink back down to its normal size. In order to do this, you should use an effective cleanser and wash your face twice daily. Soap is too harsh. It will dry and irritate your skin. Use a gentle cleanser specifically designed for facial skin.

But using a cleanser alone generally isn't enough. You also need to regularly exfoliate your skin. Think of exfoliation as the second cleansing step, and the step that provides your pores with a deeper more penetrating cleaning. My preferred exfoliaters are the alpha and beta-hydroxy acids including salicylic, lactic, and glycolic acid. Acids are so-called because they dissolve things. Skin acids are safe to put on your skin, but they are very effective at "dissolving" the "stuff" in your pores that you don't want. Follow your cleansing step with a mild salicylic acid wash once a day. Or use a low concentration glycolic acid gel a few nights each week. These will give your pores the deep clean they currently aren't getting.

2. Home Devices? - There are a lot of devices for sale in department stores that purport to help shrink your pores. I believe most of them are a waste of your money. Follow the cleansing and exfoliating recommendations above and your pores will improve more effectively than they would by using most of these devices. The single exception is the Clarisonic Brush. Its sonic technology literally shakes some of the hard to get debris out of your pores, and many of my clients have found it very effective. Its available at many department stores or through various online merchandisers. And while not technically a "device", Biore Strips are also a useful and inexpensive method to help keep the pores clean in the nose area (where they are always the largest anyway).

3. Visit an Esthetician - I recommend that you visit an esthetician on a regular basis. An aestheticism will help you maintain your skin's health. Regular facials will help keep your pores clean, healthy, and smaller. Aestheticians can also perform more aggressive pore-reducing exfoliating treatments than you can perform yourself at home - including microdermabrasion and mild chemical peels. These will help maintain good pore health.

4. Get a Laser Treatment - Lasers are the most aggressive and the fastest method for reducing pore size. Laser treatments are performed at doctor's offices specializing in aesthetic medicine. Different lasers have different effects on the pores. Some offer aggressive exfoliation and cleansing, while others use their heat to actually shrink the wall of the pore. Fractionated CO2 lasers such as the Active FX laser treatment offer the greatest pore-reducing effect. Erbium and Yag lasers can also help. Your aesthetic medical doctor can help guide you towards the most effective laser treatment according to your own unique concerns

How to Fight Dark Under Eye Circles Safely and Effectively

If you want to get rid of dark under eye circles and other signs of eye problems, you need powerful ingredients that are both safe and effective. You want to make sure that you choose products which address all of the different eye problems since you don't really want to put more than one cream or lotion on this area if you can help it.

Dark under eye circles, swelling and puffiness are the main issues that many women and men hope to minimize with the choice of the right eye cream. There are a few key ingredients that can work effectively to get rid of these problems while not causing any eye irritation or damage. It is important to choose natural ingredients because these have proven to be safe and effective over years of testing and trials.

A few of the best ingredients are found in only a select few of the superior eye creams. Knowing which ingredients are the most effective can help you find those products which have been proven effective but which are not as well known. Many of these are superior to highly promoted brands but are actually lower in price despite the higher concentrations of active ingredients. Most of the cost of a highly promoted product goes to pay for advertising.

One of the best all around ingredients that can fight dark under eye circles is Haloxyl. It has an incredible ability to lessen the appearance of dark under eye circles. Although it is incredibly powerful, it can be made even more effective when coupled with Eyeliss, an ingredient that is known for reducing puffiness, bags and wrinkles around the eyes. The wonderful thing about these two ingredients is that they are both naturally sourced and will not irritate the delicate skin around your eyes.

One of the main reasons why eyes look aged is because of a breakdown in the structure of the skin which surrounds them. It is essential to make sure that you are also toning and moisturizing the skin as well. If you look for natural moisturizers such as babassu oil and skin firming ingredients such as CynergyTK you will be amazed at how much more youthful and smooth your skin looks.

Natural Hair Care Homemade Recipes - Stop Hair Loss, Increase Body and Shine

If you have priced the cost of high quality hair products then you know there are hundreds of dollars to be saved by Natural Hair Care Homemade Recipes. Its not just for the hardcore do it yourself folks. Many of the recipes are age old and still used today, even in ritzy salons. Lets look at some techniques for mixing, applying, and the recipes themselves.

Creative Mixing: Start out with simple recipes. Mix one main ingredient and then add a small amount of another. It is much easier to determine what does and does not work when your ingredients list is simple.

Create mixes and try them until you find one that works well for your hair. If its a recipe that gives you great results, make note of it and then retry the recipe with the same main ingredient but now alter the second ingredient to refine and alter the formula. You may find you need to reverse the amounts of ingredients used, switching the main ingredient with the secondary ingredient.

Tricks For Applying: Experiment with applying your natural hair care homemade recipe to your hair both wet and dry. Also experiment with leaving it in your hair over night. If you can eat it, it is most likely safe in your hair. Finer recipes can be spritzed on as a nutrient glaze for shine and body.

Recipes to increase body and shine:

1 medium ripe avocado - peeled and stoned

2 tablespoons soft honey


Mix together the ingredients in a small bowl.
Massage into hair.
Leave in for 20-30 minutes.
Wash hair as you normally do.

4 egg whites

1 bunch seaweed soaked over night

1 lemon squeezed for juice


Mix together the ingredients in a blender.
Massage into hair.
Leave in for 20-30 minutes.
Wash hair as you normally do.

4 Tablespoons Organic Coconut Oil melted at room temperature

4 drops of an essential oil of your choice such as peppermint or lavender


Mix together the ingredients in a small bowl.
Massage into hair.
Leave in for over night
Wash hair as you normally do.

Other suggested ingredients: Herbs can be applied from a tea - Comfrey Root, Calendula, Nettles, and Horsetail are excellent tonics on the hair and are readily available in most natural food stores. There are infinite possibilities in using Natural Hair Care Homemade Recipes. You may wish to also experiment with recipes for highlighting. Also, you can stop hair loss at home using these ingredients for gray hair natural remedies. In Addition to using these recipes be sure to brush your hair twice daily, both forward and backward. Have a good hair day and have fun with your mixes.

Fresh New Hairstyles For 2010

The New Year 2010 is here. I think you want to get a new fresh look for the coming new year. The change of hairstyles is the most important thing. One of the hottest hairs that remain strong for 2010 is long hair. For the past season short hair has remained in the spotlight. But with 1980s styles making a comeback, 1980s styles can be created with the use of hair spray. A big ponytail crinkles crimp and of course tight curls - no matter what, 2010 hairstyle videos say everything.

After all your hair is considered to be your crowning glory. The slightest change, which you can do to your hairstyle, can cause a lasting impact on how you totally look liked. Get to know 2010 hair trends and popular hairstyles for New Year; also do not forget to be inspired by celebrities for best 2010 hairstyles ideas.

We all know how important hair is, it our most noticeable feminine feature. If a woman's hair looks great she feels great. Beautiful hairstyles will surely make you feel great and they help you find more joy in your life. There will be cuts that look best on you no matter your face shape is. Here a quick guide of what to look for and what to avoid.

The favorites were their claim to the perfect haircut they right this is the most flattering haircut on almost every face type. An little shaggy and layered, how to get it? Here are some tips. Layer is the key - the best layers are left to the front and are meant to frame the face, but never go above the eye on short hair or above earlobes on long hair.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a short hair style if you think you would like short hairstyles you should bracket and also look at all of the very short hairstyles and medium hairstyles. I have always believed that the perfect style can only be achieved when you considered all the variables for instance your new short hair cut should match your personality lifestyle time constraints body shape face shape hair texture hair density eye color and skin tone.

It should create a sense of balance between your head face and body for those interested in getting a shorter haircut and being free of taking care of all that long hair these hairstyles might be exactly what you need most hairstyles will fit any age group and hair color is an easy adjustment do not let these be a tool to narrow your list of potential hairstyles or haircuts.

How to pick the perfect haircut when you are considering a new haircut and looking for a new haircut style? Here are some suggestions from professional stylists resources can be found everywhere you look. You can find so many different hair cut styles. Short to medium layered hairstyles are best suited for triangle shaped face layered hair with fullness at the crown would look best for pear shaped face for an oblong shaped face layered bobs and choppy cuts are best suited, and good luck in the coming year.

Diamond shaped face? Go for hairstyle that has width at the top and bottom and sleekness in the wider part of the face chin length haircut with temple to temple fringes is the best bet for a diamond shaped face. A pear shaped face the haircut should symmetry to the narrow forehead and wide cheeks and jaw line concentrate fullness at the temple and the fringe area make it sleek at the cheeks and jaw line. Searching a hairstylist for curly haircuts difficulties with naturally curly haircuts include getting the curls to grow in the right direction keeping the hair in good condition, which is why curly haired women should head straight for an expert in curly hair. And good luck for the New Year.

After all your hair is considered to be your crowning glory. The slightest change, which you can do to your hairstyle, can cause a lasting impact on how you totally look liked.

3 Things to Check Before Buying Facial Lotion Products

Are you just plain fed up? Do you keep on buying one new skin cream after the other and still fail to find one that really works? That's the problem with facial lotion products today - too many choices and too little good ones amongst them.

Here are three simple checks that will help you find the best facial lotion products out there -

1 - Check if the lotion has any chemicals inside
This is the number one reason why people are still stuck with a tired, damaged skin even after using the big brand name products. Most of these creams and lotions are loaded with harsh chemical ingredients.

These companies liberally use chemicals such as Mineral Oil, Fragrances and Parabens in their products to make them more attractive, last longer and also save money in manufacturing them.

Fact is - exposure to these chemicals over the long term can cause skin dryness, allergies, irritation, and even cancer.

So make sure to stay far away from any skin care products containing chemical ingredients.

2 - Check if it has effective natural ingredients
Just being natural is not enough. The ingredients in your lotion should be effective too.

Look for ingredients like Phytessence Wakame. This sea kelp from Japan is very beneficial for the skin. It nourishes the skin with vitamin B complex and minerals like iron, potassium and calcium. It also prevents the breakdown of hyraluronic acid in the skin which is responsible for keeping the skin firm and binds the Collagen fibers in it tightly.

Active Manuka Honey is another such ingredient. This unique honey stimulates the Collagen and Elastin production in the body and helps in keeping the skin firm and wrinkle free naturally. It also has special anti oxidant and anti bacterial properties that keep the skin healthy and damage free.

Natural plant based oils like Avocado and Macadamia are very effective at moisturizing the skin deeply and keeping it soft and supple. These oils maintain the moisture level in the skin without making it too oily or dry.

3 - Look for satisfied customers
If the merchant's website has testimonials from satisfied customers who have used their products and liked them, then this is the best indication of an effective, quality product. You can then safely use their facial lotion products with peace of mind.

So there you have it. Three simple checks to find the best facial lotion products for a fresh young skin. Visit my website to know about one such effective line of skin care products.

Revisiting the School Lunch Box - How to Pack a More Healthful Meal

In our fast paced society, the hand-packed school lunches complete with an apple and a note from Mom or Dad is largely becoming a thing of the past. It is being replaced with fast fixes such an overly processed snack set with low nutritional value. There are some quick fixes for parents who want their children to have balanced meals at school so that their kids have the energy to maximize learning from the moment they get off the bus in their uniform polo shirt to the time they walk in the door that afternoon.

One way that many parents are maximizing healthy school lunches is by cooking enough dinner the night before so that it can be taken the next day for lunch. For a family of four, it's easy to throw another chicken breast for everyone on the grill and then pair it with slices of low GI bread, vegetables and mustard the next day for chicken sandwich. The leftovers might be so delicious that parents will have to add a bib apron into the lunch box in case of emergencies.

Another way parents can encourage better school lunches when the lunch box from home is not an option it to speak to the cafeteria staff. These men and women are identifiable by work clothes, often resembling a housekeeper uniform, and are often willing to make dietary adjustments. Nutritional-related issues are also often the subjects of parent-teacher organizations.

Some grocery store chains are even offering pre-packed lunches made daily that are both healthy and delicious and offer children a wide variety of lunch choices from sushi to tuna wraps. Although this can be a more expensive option, there are still many low cost options available. Parents can plan school meals just as they would weekly meals, incorporating vegetables and fruit, lean meat, cheese and yogurt and whole grains as a staple. Try and avoid high sugar and sodium items such as potato chips, cakes, candy, jams and fatty meats. Preparation is also a good time to review with children the importance of portion control. Make lunch making time a fun time. Parents can turn on some music and join in the fun. Many older children can also assist younger children with preparation. And what should children wash down the lunches with? Many juice drinks advertised as healthful options have almost as much sugar as a can of soda. Water and milk are still the best choice.

Parents might have to give their children a bib apron to protect their school issued uniform polo shirt once they start devouring more healthful lunches. Or they may have to wear a housekeeper uniform to keep up with the laundry and dirty clothing after the children enjoy a school lunch that tastes good and is good for them.

Tips on How to Choose a Low-Fat, Low-Calorie Pizza

Pizza is a main staple in the United States. People eat pizza for lunch, dinner, and sometimes, for breakfast too. It is a common sight in households across the nation. But how do you still eat your favorite dish while watching your waistline? What about all the diets myths forcing consumers to cross out pizza from their new meal plan list? Well, there is a way to eat pizza while on a diet and the answer is in the choices and topping options.

Pizza has a bad reputation of being high in fat and calories. However, if you make smarter decisions when ordering pizza, then you will be able to have your cake pizza and eat it too. One place to start is with the crust.

There is a universal theory regarding eating pizza while remaining on the right track to losing weight. The theory states the thinner the crust, the healthier the pizza. Well, this is not always true. A better choice would be to order a pizza crust made from whole-wheat flour instead of white. Furthermore, find out if butter or olive oil was used in the dough. For olive oil would be the smarter option. These may seem like insignificant modifications, but the dough is the foundation of a pizza. And if you don't change the dough choices, your waistline may increase rather than decrease.

The most prominent part of the pizza, after the dough, is the cheese. The quality of cheese makes a drastic difference when it comes to calorie and nutrients count. There are many different cheese options when it comes to selecting a pizza. And if you are not able to choose from a home-made mozzarella on a pizza versus store bought processed cheese, then the nutrients may be lacking. This is something you have to research. Ask the restaurant. Inquire if goat cheese is available instead of the norm. Moreover, the amount of cheese will make a significant difference too.

Another option to be aware of are the toppings. Choosing vegetables instead of meat will contribute to it being a healthier pizza option. Vegetable options range from roasted fennel, tomatoes, mushrooms, roasted pepper and more. You may be as generous as you like with vegetable toppings. Pile it on and you will maintain the right track with your weight loss plan. In addition, the flavors fresh vegetables add to a pizza enhance the taste. Consequently, the richer the taste the more satisfying the meal is allowing you to feel fuller longer. If you must do meat, then opt for grilled chicken as a topping. For the seafood lovers, why not try grilled shrimp? These decisions will help you in the end.

Pizza is a great, tasty, satisfying meal to have anytime of the day. And even if you are no longer a teenager, you are still able to eat it at anytime. Just make better choices and smarter decisions and you will not have to sacrifice pizza in exchange for your diet. Instead, pizza and diet will exist cohesively in your new healthier lifestyle.

Healthy Snack Alternatives

There's something about putting food in our mouths all of the time that regularly leads to obesity. The truth is there are nibbles out there that are actually healthy for you, and will help you to shed pounds. Pretzel sticks come in a selection of sizes and even with some different flavors making them one of the finest break foods you can snack on during the day. They are low-cal and they also do not have a large amount of that additional sugar you will find in most other break foods. Pretzels are also a little salted that may help you curve your desire for taste.

If you eat a bag of pretzels a day then that would definitely not be healthy. If you're looking to break on something between meals to help curve your appetite then this can satisfy your appetite. Another good thing to notice about pretzels is the incontrovertible fact that they're crunchy. The pretzel sticks are low cal in the 1st place, but this can definitely help you burn one or two additional calories in the procedure. Next time you are looking to satisfy one of your appetite pains try reaching for a bag of pretzels rather than a bag of potato chips. Low cal nibbles are an enormous and if you're planning to lose pounds. A dietitian will recommendation you to have four or 5 tiny meals a day in the place of eating 2 or 3 heavy meals in a day.

Your fave fat-free break might be simply obtainable from your nearest food store. You can also learn how to make your favorite break in your kitchen only. You will utilize only little quantity to go easy on fat. You may feel full even without eating over 2 hundred to three hundred calories. For an evening fat-free break, you are able to add sliced carrots to your tomato soup. A good diet break is medium-sized apple eaten with a cheese wedge. Finger food puffs aren't only preferred by babies but also by folk watching their weight.

So, now you have a few more options the next time you're reaching for that unhealthy food. Think about pretzels or whipping up something healthy and quick in the kitchen. Remember, you might satisfy the craving for now but sooner or later, you are going to regret eating that oily snack when you're at the doctor's office! That's for sure.