Why the same skin care product can work differently for different user

Hearing so many opinions on results from the users of the same skin care product, it becomes apparent that we don’t get the same results, even within the same age group and usually, it’s explained on the basis of differences in skin physiology or body chemistry. Additionally, because skin is a dynamic system whose condition and properties depend on various factors, so its ability to absorb the skin care products and react, can vary greatly. Great example of that is the use of a perfume, that often smells entirely different on different people. However, there are products that are developed for all skin types and yet, still don’t work for some. Why is that so and can we try to bring our skin up to par for products to work better on it?

1. Are you cleaning your skin thoroughly?
This is the most basic in terms of skin care and yet, some of us are not doing it right. If you’re always using lots of makeup, then it’s important to ensure your face is thoroughly cleanse or even the most expensive skin care product is not going to work so well. So someone who takes time to carefully remove their makeup and cleanse their face thoroughly is definitely going to reap better benefits from using the same products vs one who is nonchalant about this basic step. As a thumb of rule, I really recommend everyone to double cleanse.

2. Are you having excessive dead skin buildup?
The dead cells on our skin are supposed to shed naturally over a period of time, but some people may find theirs harder to shed off completely and over time, these result in a buildup, causing one’s skin tone to look ashy and dull. In this case, skin care products may not work as well, especially if they contain active ingredients that are supposed to work beneath the epidermis. As such, those with excessive dead skin buildup will wonder why the cream works for others but not them. Even powder would not adhere that well and will look patchy or cakey. The answer could lie in the fact that they’ve not been exfoliating their skin well enough. Hence, it’s good to exfoliate our skin once a week so as to allow your skin to absorb moisture and for products to work more effectively.

3. Are you applying your product correctly?
I noticed that some products these days come with detailed application instructions or even a demo. Some toners are not meant to be wiped on by cotton wool but patted into the skin by hand. Then there are the face sculpting creams where you need to follow a certain method to ensure that you’ll get the desired V-shaped contour. You may also be wondering why the eye cream works better for your friend but perhaps you have not considered that your friend actually took the trouble to tap the cream into the eye area? Even results from a basic moisturizer will differ when you apply it on completely dry skin or slightly damp skin; the latter being encouraged because most ingredients penetrate better when they’re dissolved. And in the past, we might have just spritz on a face mist thinking that it will help to hydrate our skin? Well, that only refreshes but will eventually make your skin feel drier and perhaps secrete more oil and subsequently causing your makeup to streak. The trick is really to spritz and then use a tissue paper to pat off the water and not leave the water to evaporate from the skin.

4. Are you applying your products at the right time?
Apart from the moist factor, most skin care products also work better when the skin is warm so the best time to apply skin care products is really after a warm bath. If you’re using products with active ingredients such as vitamin C, then it’s very important to consider the time you’re applying the products. Some of these products may suggest that you can apply it both day and night but that is not true as the benefits of such active ingredients can get “cancelled out” by sun exposure. Hence, you might then start to wonder why the product is not working for you when everyone else is raving about it. Actually in the day, all you need is to apply a moisturizer with SPF. You can leave the serums and hydrating creams for night usage as skin cell renewal rates is really higher at night than during the day. So the mantra should be – protect your skin during the day and renew it during the night.

5. Are you skipping an important skin care routine?
One important factor that explains why products work better for others and not you could lie in the fact that you may not be protecting your skin well enough. Perhaps you are not protecting your skin effectively against free radical damage while your girlfriend is taking all the right precautions through her other skin care products as well as her diet? As a result, the product may have to take a longer while to work on your skin while it is already yielding fantastic results on your girlfriend.

Obviously, there are other reasons contributing to why products may work better on others and those will largely have to do with their lifestyle. However, if you have such a problem, then you may want to first start off by examining your own skin care routine based on the five I’ve listed and find out if you’re doing something wrong to sabotage your own efforts.

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Our wonderful contest for New Year - New You. Phat QR Solutions Anti Cellulite Collection GIVEAWAY! is now over. Thank you for participation.

and

Congratulations to Elena (elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com) for being a lucky winner.

We know that giveaways are a lot of fun. So to those who didn't win this time, please keep an eye on our blog, we will have many more contests and giveaways this year.

Happy New Year to you all!

New Year - New You. Phat QR Solutions Anti Cellulite Collection GIVEAWAY!

Every Year we give ourselves New Year resolutions, but who really sticks with them? Hardly anybody we know. So this is not something we are going to do here. We will make it more exciting. We offer one lucky reader to win out best selling Phat QR Solutions Anti Cellulite Collection and pamper herself without setting any resolutions.

Unfortunately cellulite affects 90 percent of women and 10 percent of men, mostly in industrial nations. As women start approaching menopause, estrogen starts decreasing. From 25 to 35 is when we start seeing the appearance of cellulite. Estrogen has an impact on the blood vessels. When estrogen starts to decrease, we lose receptors in blood vessels and thighs, so we have decreased circulation. With decreased circulation we get less oxygen and nutrition to that area, and with that we see a decrease in collagen production…. At that time fat cells start becoming larger, they begin protruding through the collagen and cellulite starts showing up. Also as we get older we tend to get less active and consume more of the "comfort foods" that usually is full of trans fats and sugars. Cellulite is a collection of stagnant fat cells underneath of skin that needs to be broken down by frequent massaging that improves circulation. Exercise and sensible diet is another "trick" that works, but not all of us like this "trick". We do like a short cut.

This collection contains everything you might need to assist you in never ending battle with cellulite. Phat QR Massager improves circulation, seaweed scrub helps to draw out toxins while polishing your skin and NuElle contains a cocktail of 25 well known flub busters that assist in weight loss and cellulite reduction, like caffeine, L'Carnitine, Butcher's Broom, Bladderwrack, Ivy and many others. Formulated to work both on the surface and in depth, this revolutionary treatment has multiple performance that can be seen with the naked eye within 3-4 weeks (results may vary). Firming on the surface, detoxifying on the inside, reducing water retention and fat cell clusters, while improving circulation and overall appearance of the skin.

Giveaway rules:

1. All the entrants have to visit our site www.skinqr.com and let us know what other product, not related to this collection, they would like to own. (this entry is mandatory)
2. Follow us on this Blog
3. Like us on Facebook
4. Follow us on Twitter
5. Blog about this giveaway and insert the link
6. Twit about this giveaway and post the link (can do this every day)
7. Post this giveaway on your Blog (and give us link)
8. Purchasing something from our site would give you 5 extra entries. (mention what it is)

Please don't forget to make a separate post for every activity you do.

This giveaway is open to US residents only. Winner will be chosen on December 30th, 2010 randomly through www.randon.org.
Winner has 24 hours to respond to our notification, otherwise a different winner will be chosen.

Good Luck

Food To Clear Acne

"How to clear acne" is widely searched term on internet and here you will find relevant information on it. Acne that we see on our face or other parts of our body is due to internal problem in our body. Liver is an organ which is responsible for proper working of our digestive system. If our body makes excessive toxins then our liver is not able to deal with it. Problem of excessive toxin leads to skin problems like acne, pimples, zits, blackheads or whiteheads. Having balanced diet or healthy food can to a great extent solve this problem. There are some specific foods that can help to clear and improve acne.

1) It is advised to have lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in diet. Try and have 4-5 servings of vegetables and one serving of fruit in a day.

2) Always take salad along with your food. Salad is a good source of fiber and keeps you away from constipation which could lead to excessive toxin release.

3) Addiction to tea or coffee is also not good for acne. Try and avoid them.

4) Refined sugar, carbohydrates and fried food. These foods give good platform for acne to flourish.

5) Avoid food that you are allergic to.

6) Avoid food items with Vitamin B12. Source of B12 is fish, milk and milk products, egg, and meat.

7) Try and drink 6 to 8 glasses of water everyday.

Taking some measures can help you to cure and prevent acne. This can also help you to have acne free skin. It is suggested to consult a specialist if you are facing severe acne like cystic. There is no need to worry as there are many treatments, medicine and products available in the market to cure acne or pimples. Consult your dermatologist if you have to , but keeping your skin clean is the best key for prevention. Keep your exfoliator handy...

Pamper yourselves for Holidays and always. Introducing Luxe Eternel Firming Body Creme.

Luxe Eternel Firming Luxury Body Creme, with Vitamins & Antioxidants

Have you ever been caressed with silky velvet Rose petals? That feeling of luxury cooling sensation of petals can not be forgotten. Now you can pamper yourself every day. Our new Luxe Eternel Luxury Body Creme offers that. And actually quite a bit more...

This rich, velvet and luxurious creme will, sure, be your ultimate favorite entire body treatment. It contains plethora of Vitamins, minerals and extracts to replenish moisture and elasticity. Luxury formula increases circulation, cell hydration, repairs and tones the skin. A light moisture-retaining film protects the skin against external effects such as UV radiation, the climate, dehydration and pollution. This creme is made up of a powerful blend of antioxidants such as vitamin C, quercetin and catechins that fight against skin damage and prevents loss of elasticity and firmness. It helps stimulate collagen fiber production within the dermis. Reishi Mushroom Extract, known in ancient Asia as a Mushroom of Eternal Youth, has the capability to increase cell turnover and collagen synthesis, improve firmness and hydration, and reduce appearance of fine lines and scars... The delicious light aroma of Rose and Sandalwood is uplifting, and would bring up sweet memories of first love, kiss and Valentine's Day... For more information visit skinqr.com.

Why exercising can help to clear our skin and defy aging.

Lifting weights, doing aerobic workouts, and stretching into a yoga pose all benefit your skin as well as your body.

Most of the time, exercise conjures up images of losing weight, building muscle, and trimming thighs. But now, doctors say, another body part may benefit from regular workouts -- your skin.

Indeed, from reducing acne breakouts to fighting the signs of aging, health experts say regular exercise can play a big role in how young and how healthy your skin looks and feels.

What it happens is increased circulation and delivery of nutrients to skin cells, whooshing away potentially damaging toxins. Another is giving skin the optimum conditions for making collagen, the support fibers that help keep wrinkles and lines at bay.

But perhaps the most dramatic effects of exercise are on acne-prone skin. Doctors say working out provides many benefits that can help clear the skin. How? Exercise mediates the production of testosterone-related hormones such as DHEA and DHT. There's a lot of indirect evidence that shows that when you exercise your level of stress diminishes. So your adrenal glands are producing less of these male-type hormones that are part of any acne flare-up. The proof? Try to remember any situation that increased your stress level -- meeting a deadline, receiving an unexpected bill that needs to be paid, disagreements in family -- and you're likely to recall a breakout. Almost everyone's skin flares when they are under stress but especially those who already is prone to acne. Exercise, can help control it. By reducing stress, it tends to quiet the adrenals. There is less hormone output which in turn helps control acne.

According to dermatologists, regular exercise also increases sweating, which in turn can unclog pores and have a positive effect on breakouts.

In the long run, people who exercise have a better complexion overall. If they have acne, it's better controlled, and if they have occasional breakouts they are definitely less severe, and clear quicker and easier.

This same hormone-reducing activity can also benefit your hair. Anything that controls the amount of male hormones your body produces can impact not only skin, but also androgenic hair loss. Anything you can do to reduce the production of these hormones is going to have beneficial results on both skin and hair.

While we don't often think of exercise has having any specific anti-aging effects on skin, experts say it most definitely does. One is by influencing the natural production of collagen, a kind of connective tissue that plumps your skin and gives your face the bloom of youth. Our fibroblasts, which are the collagen-producing cells in the skin, became fewer in number and they become lazy as we get older. Skin becomes less firm, drier, and even more wrinkled. However, add an exercise routine to your beauty regimen and you infuse skin cells with oxygen as well as other nutrients. Both set up ideal conditions for collagen production.

Beyond helping your muscles relax, doctors say most aerobic exercise, such as walking or bicycling, also offer a "cleansing" effect on skin. This helps remove toxins that assault the skin --like cigarette smoke, air pollution, even chemicals commonly found in grooming products such as hair spray, deodorant, and shower gels. The better your circulation, which is something aerobic exercise can improve, the more effectively toxins are removed. The better and healthier your skin will not only be, but also look.

What can help your skin even more: Hydrating your body before and after exercise.

If you are properly hydrating yourself during exercise you will get better blood flow to the skin, which in turn encourages the elimination of toxins that would otherwise accumulate in the skin cells. This is particularly true for those who overindulge in alcohol, drugs, or even junk food.

Proper fluid intake -- water in particular -- can increase skin blood flow, allowing the washing out of those toxins, which in turn will help skin not only look better but also be healthier.

Chemicals, are they always bad? How about natural killers?

If you look to the Internet for information about beauty products, you’ll quickly become overwhelmed with articles about how all-natural ingredients are superior and for your hair and skin and synthetic ingredients are sending you to an early grave. This has always bugged me because if people just thought about it, they’d soon realize that “natural” does not automatically mean “good”. Snake venom, viruses, and radiation are all natural.

In fact, some of the most toxic substances are “natural”.

So, the next time you hear someone droning on and on about how much better natural ingredients are than synthetics just remind them of these ten All-Natural Nasties.

Naturally Toxic Ingredients

10. Patulin: The patulin toxin produced by fungi found on rotting apples. It’s not especially dangerous but a few studies have shown it can cause DNA mutations.

Watch out if you’re making your own apple juice to put in your DIY personal care products

9. Aflatoxin: Another toxin naturally produced by our fungi friends. Aflatoxins make their way into food crops like corn and peanuts. The compound has been shown to cause liver cancer in lab animals and has been associated with live cancer in humans. Governments monitor and regulate food for acceptable amounts of aflatoxin.

Be careful about contaminated corn or peanut compounds in your cosmetics

8. Ergotamine: This is an alkaloid produced naturally by a food fungus that grows on rye and wheat plants. If not properly processed grains contaminated with ergotamine can end up in your bread and cause the disease ergotism. Not a problem if you don’t mind gangrenous infections of the limbs and hallucinations.

This natural material is also the starting point for making the drug LSD.

7. Mistletoe Lectin: People love mistletoe at Christmas but did you know this naturally growing plant is extremely toxic to humans? Any part of the plant can poison you and if ingested can cause vomiting, hallucinations, and blurred vision.

Avoid any product said to contain Mistletoe extract. Unless hallucinating and vomiting is your idea of a good time.

6. Saxitoxin: This is a toxic material naturally produced by a common algae found in oceans around the world. When conditions are right, the little microscopic organisms produce saxitoxin, or red tide. If enough of it is introduced into your body, it causes paralysis and death. On occasion, people can get exposed to the poison by eating contaminated shellfish.

Apparently algae extracts aren’t always advisable.

5. Batrachotoxin: Frogs are cute except for maybe the poison dart frog that makes one of the most toxic compounds known. Batrachotoxins are naturally produced by certain species of frogs, beetles and birds. If you get some of the compound in you, expect paralysis of your breathing muscles followed by death soon afterwards.

Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment to stop the nasty effects of this natural substance.

4. Ricin: With a natural sounding name like ricin it’s got to be good right? Wrong. Ricin is a protein toxin that comes from castor beans. Yeah, this is the same plant that gives us the beneficial castor oil. If you’re exposed to enough ricin, it’ll cause diarrhea and death.

Thankfully, man-made, synthetic purification processes can separate the good parts of the castor bean from the toxic ones.

3. Alpha-Amanitin: This is a simple, natural, toxic peptide produced by a mushroom. If you happen to eat some alpha-amanitin laced mushrooms you’ll feel cramps and diarrhea within 24 hours. Left untreated your kidneys and liver will be damaged beyond repair and you will die. This little natural molecule is considered one of the deadliest compounds known.

Synthetic chemicals have nothing on this natural killer.

2. Anthrax Toxin: This natural ingredient is one you’ve probably heard about. This toxin is a combination of three proteins produced by a bacterium (Bacillus anthracis). It most often kills domestic animals like sheep and cattle but it can kill humans too. And you only need to be exposed to it on your skin. Anthrax ultimately causes death by respiratory and cardiac failure.

And you thought protein was always good.

1. Botulinum Toxin: No list of natural toxins would be complete on a cosmetic site without the mention of this neurotoxic protein. While deadly, this compound can be used in small doses to remove wrinkles. Botox treatments are all the rage and are one of the most popular profitable forms of cosmetic surgery. If you ingest this toxin however, you can expect paralysis, blurred vision, vomiting, among other symptoms. Ultimately, this natural compound will lead to respiratory failure and death.

But in the hands of a good cosmetic surgeon, there’s not much to worry about. Yikes!

Remember…
Natural does not = good.
Synthetic does not = bad.

You have to look at each compound on an individual basis to make a judgment about them. And as millions of successful Botox injections demonstrate, there is a safe way to use “toxic” ingredients no matter where they come from.