Why do natural products break you out? {Skin Care}

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Have you started using a new product which has instantly led to breakouts on the skin? When you start using a new product, it is always advisable to do a patch test so as to know beforehand whether the product is going to suit your skin or not. Let us be frank and say that we often assume that the product is going to work and do not do this patch test. In over-the-counter products, not doing a patch test doesn't really make a difference because almost all the products contain same ingredients and do not affect the skin adversely. The problem starts when you either use an entirely natural product or a medicated drug prescribed by the dermatologist for anti-aging purposes or for addressing the problem of wrinkles or even acne. These are highly concentrated products. In such cases, a patch test done on the hand may not be effective so it is advised to do the patch test on the skin behind your ear.

  

Potency of the product and its effect on the Skin

The medicated products have high concentration of chemicals which are useful for the skin but in higher doses, these useful products may well become harmful. For example, retinoids are great for wrinkles but cause photo-sensitivity and can also make the skin sensitive if used too often and at wrong time. So, read the product literature properly and use the products only when advised. Such products are restoratives are usually supposed to be used at night and compliment with other products so that the concentration of the products is not too high. In case of medicated drugs, do not dilute the products. Just use less of the product to make your skin used to the product.

Similarly, if you have a natural products which is made up of original essential oils, your skin may react to the high concentration of EO's. In such cases, it is always best to go from a lower dose to a higher one. You can dilute the product with other complimentary product and use it on the skin. When your skin gets used to that concentration, you may increase the concentration to a higher level or continue using at the same level if you see benefits. 

Acceptance of Product by the Skin

When we keep on changing the products very often on our skin, our skin sometimes becomes really sensitive and stops accepting new products and reacts in the only possible way it can - by breaking out. Thus, if you skin is showing any such behavior, review all the products you have lately used and stick to ones which compliment each other. 

Also, if you are trying out a new product, do not change it as soon as it break you out. It might be just a phase of skin where skin is getting used to the change in the product so give your skin a little bit of time to get adjusted and decrease the amount of product you use as I have mentioned in the above case. Test out the product for a month at least before discarding it. Generally, a rest period of two to four weeks is required to determine if your skin is accepting the new product or not. If after that, there is no change, you should definitely discard the product.

And, also remember, consistently changing the product can also cause your skin to become sensitive and unreceptive to the new products you introduce to the skin. So, keep your skin care routine simple and minimal.

Did you face any such problems with any product you have changed? Pin It

When to remove Face Masks and Hair Packs?

Hey guys!! I am really sorry for not being at all particular with the posts. Kinda really busy these days so I'll probably even miss the first birthday of my blog which is on December 14. I can not believe a whole year has passed. I definitely have been very lazy in writing my posts many a days but I have tried to be as regular as possible. In case, I do miss the birthday of my blog, I shall do the festivities along with the Christmas and New Year or may be Pongal even. Gosh!! That will be really late but I am sure you will all forgive me. So, for today, I have a very simple tip to share with you all regarding the face packs and the hair packs. Now, I had shared the correct procedure for applying face masks. So, this is one additional procedure which should be followed stringently. 

Always remove the face masks and hair packs as soon as they are close to drying. When the face masks and hair packs dry completely, they start absorbing water from your skin or hair to compensate the loss of moisture in them due to the reverse osmosis process. And, this becomes very drying for your skin and hair in the long run. So, always remember to wash off as soon as the mask is close to drying. For hair, I have a tip that wash off your mask after an hour. One hour is enough to let your hair get the nutrients from your mask. If you are applying henna, always remove when the mask has dried otherwise you will find that your hair has become dry in nature. This is especially true for dry hair. Whenever you apply a hair mask, always put a shower cap on. This helps to hold the moisture inside. When you keep the hair packs and face masks beyond stipulated period, they can causing aging of your skin and drying of your hair. This holds true with the home remedies too. So, follow this tip and reap the benefits.

Do we apply the face masks correctly? {DIY}

So, how are the preparation for festivities going on????? Hope you are all having a gala time........Today, I wanted to talk about the face masks. Every lady uses face masks to rejuvenate her skin but do we all apply it correctly? Are there any ways to apply it correctly? Well, it is no rocket science. But, you just have to be careful not give any grounds for bacteria to breed or get any breakouts due to its incorrect usage.

• While using any mask, one should always prepare a fresh batch. Otherwise, the fresh ingredients used will turn stale and not give you the benefits you are expecting it to. On the other hand, it might even cause in outbreaks on the skin or any unwanted allergy. Keeping the face mask for a day in fridge is acceptable but make sure you keep it covered.

• Before applying the mask, make sure you have washed your face thoroughly and patted it dry. Do not allow it to be damp. The moisture may not allow the mask to work effectively.

• You might want to open your pores before using the mask. For that, you can take a wash cloth soaked in tolerable hot water and cover your face with it till it cools down. You might repeat this cycle for 5 minutes. Make sure you do not burn your skin. Allow the water to be as much hot as you can tolerate. After 5 minutes, your skin is ready for the treatment. Make sure the skin is dry.

• Take a paint brush or any make up brush thick enough to be able to spread the mask on your face. Try not to use the hands as it is unhygienic. Keep the brush solely for this purpose and wash it after every use thoroughly. Sterilize it once a week to prevent bacteria.

• In case you have to use hands, wash your hands with a disinfectant well. Dry your hands well and only then apply the mask to your face. Or, best, try to follow the facial right after a manicure. Your nail beds are clean at that time.

• Let the mask air dry. Do not use the blowers to dry it forcefully. Keep ample of time on hand to begin with the treatment. Relax in the mean time. Use tea bags for your eyes and lie down. Stay still. Do not try to pass time by reading or doing any other work. Minute movements can cause the mask to break, especially clay.

• While mixing the mask, you can use green tea (or any herbal tea), floral water, honey, glycerin or any vegetable oil which suits your skin instead of distilled water. It gives undoubtedly better results. Same goes with dry scrubs.

• After the mask has dried, do not use water to remove it. Take a water saturated cotton ball and gently wipe off the mask from the face. Be very gentle. Take your time. Do not hurry. The clay masks are little difficult to remove with this method. Try not to use wash cloths as you have the work of washing them and drying them carefully. You can use disposable paper napkins instead. Anything which is disposable and which is gentle on your skin is a good idea.

• After removing the mask, wash your face with water several times. You can follow with a green tea toner. Make sure your face is squeaky clean. Apply little moisturizer or better, 2-3 drops of oil. It will trap the moisture and keep the skin supple.

Some tips to remember:  

• Skin care treatments should be performed, preferably, in the evenings followed by a bath and sleep.  Sleep always helps the skin to rejuvenate with the extra nourishment you have just provided. Do take care that you have no appointments that evening and make sure you are not disturbed, even, by phone calls. You can keep your mobile on silent mode and return the calls next morning. Always keep in mind the effects of skin care prove best when you are completely at leisure and take your own sweet time for the whole process. 
  
• Sometimes, the treatments may be followed after the Oil Cleansing Method which I have already talked about.
  
• Complete the skin care routine before 9 P.M as body starts its detoxification process after that. Check out Face Good to know more about what time is best suitable for taking care of the skin.
• You can read a book or listen to music before going to bed. Going to bed after watching television or browsing internet is not definitely a good idea as it does not calm your mind and the sleep you get is disturbed. 
• One important thing to remember is to apply the face masks only for the time advised on the back of the packs or wait until they dry. Remove them as soon as they dry. For fruit masks, wipe them off after 15 minutes. Keeping the masks for longer time than specified is not a good idea.
• Apply a thick layer of the mask. Do not save on the mask (money to buy it) by applying a thin coat. The mask works by creating a barrier between your skin and the environment and provides its goodness to the skin. If the layer is not thick enough, the mask will not give the results expected.  
  

Have a happy basking with the mask.