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Natural Skin Care - The Secret to Looking & Feeling Like New From the Inside Out

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Do you know the secret to healthier looking skin? With all the millions of skin care products in the market today, and many of them being of very good quality too, I still believe it all comes down to our daily habits and how well we are treating ourselves and our bodies. You see, I truly believe that skin care really is holistic. If you really want to start having healthier skin and looking and feeling better about yourself, it all starts with becoming aware of what you are doing and what you are putting into your body everyday.

So below I've put together a quick list for you of a few of what I feel to be the top most important things, the "secret" if you will, to improving how you look and feel from the inside out. Really take a look at them and honestly ask yourself what areas of your own life could improve a little or maybe even a lot, and then start with just the first step.

1: Healthy Diet + Water + Exercise:
How is your diet? Are you eating a healthy, high fiber diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables? The truth is how healthy our skin is and how healthy we feel physically really comes down to how well we are treating our bodies by the food we put into it. If your daily diet contains a high level of sugar, fat or chemical additives, then what you're doing is polluting your body as well as your skin with excess toxins that it may not be able to get rid of properly. Diseases such as cancer thrive on excess levels of sugar and fat in the body. On the other hand, fresh fruits and vegetables containing high levels of nutrients and antioxidants can prevent disease and some experts would even argue, cure disease. However, eating a regular diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, fiber, good proteins and carbohydrates, as well as essential fatty acids, will significantly help the body improve its detoxification and a clean body means cleaner organs, blood and also skin.

In addition, be sure to also drink plenty of water. The body needs plenty of water for proper functioning of the organs and also in maintaining proper hydration of the skin. And don't forget regular exercise too. Exercise is not only good for healthy weight management, it is also important for the body's overall circulation and oxygenation. Exercise gets the "body's juices going" and you just feel healthier and better overall after you're done. So the first important secret to looking and feeling good from the inside out is having a healthier diet, drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly.


2: Take Natural Herbal Vitamin Supplements:
Are you taking any vitamins or supplements everyday? The next secret to looking and feeling good from the inside out is to take a good natural herbal vitamin supplement. With our busy and hectic schedules everyday, it really is very difficult to get all the recommended amounts of vitamins and nutrients our bodies need on a daily basis so taking a good natural herbal vitamin supplement in combination to a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water and regular exercise, I feel is also essential. Look for a complete "whole food" concentrated vitamin supplement that is rich in vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, fiber, antioxidants, good probiotic bacteria, digestive enzymes, and essential fatty acids.

These herbal supplements are excellent for increasing energy and vitality, promoting good circulation and bowel regularity, strengthening the body's immunity and also reducing free radical damage. These herbal vitamin supplements can be found in a pill or capsule or also as a powder to combine with water. I prefer using the powder form with water because it also helps me increase my body's fluid level. Whichever form you prefer, both will be very effective. So the second secret to looking and feeling good from the inside out is to take a good natural herbal vitamin supplement daily.

3: Have Good Skin Care Habits:
How are your skin care habits? Do you have good habits? Another secret to looking & feeling good from the inside out I thought important enough to add to this list is the importance of having good skin care hygiene and habits. For healthier skin, gently cleansing at least 1X-2X daily of all dirt, oil and impurities is essential. Also equally important is to exfoliate your skin at least 1X a week or more depending on your skin. Exfoliation is important because it helps unclog pores by extracting old dead skin cells from the skin's outer layer surface. Exfoliation also helps control oil and improves the skin's tone and texture leaving it looking newer and fresher in appearance.

Lastly, I recommend also using a good toner because no matter how well you have cleansed or exfoliated your skin, there is always some dirt, oil or debris remaining. However with a gentle, oil-free, natural toner, any remaining dirt, oil or impurities are removed, and the skin is left looking and feeling clean, fresh and naturally hydrated.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Halik

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How much water do you need a day?

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Water is an important structural component of skin cartilage, tissues and organs. For human beings, every part of the body is dependent on water. Our body comprises about 75% water: the brain has 85%, blood is 90%, muscles are 75%, kidney is 82% and bones are 22% water. The functions of our glands and organs will eventually deteriorate if they are not nourished with good, clean water.

The average adult loses about 2.5 litres water daily through perspiration, breathing and elimination. Symptoms of the body's deterioration begins to appear when the body loses 5% of its total water volume. In a healthy adult, this is seen as fatigue and general discomfort, whereas for an infant, it can be dehydrating. In an elderly person, a 5% water loss causes the body chemistry to become abnormal, especially if the percentage of electrolytes is overbalanced with sodium. One can usually see symptoms of aging, such as wrinkles, lethargy and even disorientation. Continuous water loss over time will speed up aging as well as increase risks of diseases.


If your body is not sufficiently hydrated, the cells will draw water from your bloodstream, which will make your heart work harder. At the same time, the kidneys cannot purify blood effectively. When this happens, some of the kidney's workload is passed on to the liver and other organs, which may cause them to be severely stressed. Additionally, you may develop a number of minor health conditions such as constipation, dry and itchy skin, acne, nosebleeds, urinary tract infection, coughs, sneezing, sinus pressure, and headaches.

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7 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

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The steady stream of good news about green tea is getting so hard to ignore that even java junkies are beginning to sip mugs of the deceptively delicate brew. You'd think the daily dose of disease-fighting, inflammation-squelching antioxidants - long linked with heart protection - would be enough incentive, but wait, there's more! Lots more.

CUT YOUR CANCER RISK
Several polyphenols - the potent antioxidants green tea's famous for - seem to help keep cancer cells from gaining a foothold in the body, by discouraging their growth and then squelching the creation of new blood vessels that tumors need to thrive. Study after study has found that people who regularly drink green tea reduce their risk of breast, stomach, esophagus, colon, and/or prostate cancer.

SOOTHE YOUR SKIN
Got a cut, scrape, or bite, and a little leftover green tea? Soak a cotton pad in it. The tea is a natural antiseptic that relieves itching and swelling. Try it on inflamed breakouts and blemishes, sunburns, even puffy eyelids. And that's not all. In the lab, green tea helps block sun-triggered skin cancer, whether you drink it or apply it directly to the skin - which is why you're seeing green tea in more and more sunscreens and moisturizers.

STEADY YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
Having healthy blood pressure - meaning below 120/80 - is one thing. Keeping it that way is quite another. But people who sip just half a cup a day are almost 50 percent less likely to wind up with hypertension than non-drinkers. Credit goes to the polyphenols again (especially one known as ECGC). They help keep blood vessels from contracting and raising blood pressure.

PROTECT YOUR MEMORY, OR YOUR MOM'S
Green tea may also keep the brain from turning fuzzy. Getting-up-there adults who drink at least two cups a day are half as likely to develop cognitive problems as those who drink less. Why? It appears that the tea's big dose of antioxidants fights the free-radical damage to brain nerves seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.


STAY YOUNG
The younger and healthier your arteries are, the younger and healthier you are. So fight plaque build-up in your blood vessels, which ups the risk of heart disease and stroke, adds years to your biological age (or RealAge), and saps your energy too. How much green tea does this vital job take? About 10 ounces a day, which also deters your body from absorbing artery-clogging fat and cholesterol.

LOSE WEIGHT (I love this part!)
Oh yeah, one more thing. Turns out that green tea speeds up your body's calorie-burning process. In the every-little-bit-counts department, this is good news!

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Natural Skin Care | Vitamin C | L Ascorbic Acid | Natural Skin Care Products

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The natural skin care ingredient, vitamin C should be in the form of L-ascorbic acid to be useful and effective to the skin and body. Studies reveal that vitamin C can stay in the skin for up to seventy-two hours, if it is applied on the skin once.

Vitamin C and Melanogenesis
The natural skin care ingredient vitamin C helps in the decrease of melanin formation. Actually, melanin is the one, which is responsible for the skin’s dark pigmentation.

Studies have clearly shown that vitamin C helps in skin lightening. A preparation can be used to clarify and even out the skin tone as it lightens dark spots and skin blemishes.

Vitamin C As A Sun Protection Ingredient
The natural skin care ingredient vitamin C helps in neutralizing the free radicals, cell membranes, the exceedingly reactive molecules created by the sunlight and other components of skin tissue’s interaction.

Vitamin C is not capable of absorbing the sunlight, thus it should not be used as supplement to sunscreen. It is however good applying it alongside a sunscreen product.

Vitamin C AS A Collagen Synthesizer
The natural skin care ingredient vitamin C is the only antioxidant proven to increase collagen synthesis. This natural skin care ingredient helps in healing of minor cuts and wounds.

As collagen decreases with age, photo aging further speed up the decrease. L-ascorbic acid in vitamin C acts as a signal and sends message to the collagen genes to manufacture more collagen. This natural skin care ingredient is also a cofactor for enzymes vital in collagen synthesis.

Vitamin C As A Antioxidant
The production of collagen is affected when the skin is exposed to reactive oxygen species, known as free radicals. These free radicals result in wrinkles and premature skin sagging transpire. Free radicals are produced due to over UV radiation exposure.

As UV radiation penetrates deep inside the skin create free radicals as well as other reactive agents that hit and damage the skin’s lipids. The natural skin care ingredient vitamin C helps the body in neutralizing these free radicals.


Functions of The Natural Skin Care Ingredient Vitamin C:

* Naturalizes pollutants.
* Maintains healthy skin
* Increase the rate of healing.
* Helps in the production of anti bodies.
* Fights off foreign invaders in the body.
* Increases collagen production in the skin.
* Is a natural antihistamine, can reduce allergic reactions.

Guidelines In Evaluating Natural Skin Care Products Containing Vitamin C:

* Check if the preparation is stable of the natural skin care products.
* L-ascorbic acid should be at a low ph level, to effectively penetrate the skin.
* The natural skin care product to look for is that which contains stable L-ascorbic acid, low ph and high concentration.
* Do remember that when a label says “vitamin C” on the natural skin care products does not mean that it contains L-ascorbic acid.
* Ask if the natural skin care product contain L-ascorbic acid. There are certain natural skin care products containing L-ascorbic acid within a vitamin c complex. Know what form of vitamin c is used.

L-ascorbic Skin Care Products:

Action C
Action C delivers L-ascorbic acid in concentrated form, without losing effectiveness to improve the appearance of blemished or sun damaged skin. It hydrates the skin resulting to a vibrant skin immediately upon the first application. It also shields the skin from the sun’s rays to minimize the effect of premature skin aging.

C Factor TM
High in L-ascorbic acid, this natural skin care product promotes cell renewal and protects the skin from future damage.

The Benefits C Factor TM include:

* Pores are unclogged.
* Improves skin tones.
* Has a moisturizing formula.
* Perks up sun-damaged skin.
* Sustains the elasticity of the skin.
* Help in the production of collagen.
* Can be used under daily make up.
* Decreases the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
* UV Aging is inhibited to achieve younger looking skin.

Cellex-C
Uses L-ascorbic acid as its primary ingredient, combined with zinc sulphate and L-tyrosine, making the skin firmer, and decreases deep lines, which gives the skin a more youthful appearance.

This formulation is applied to the face once a day and results can be attained within eight to twelve weeks.

HydraXtract “C”
Vitamin C combined with vitamin E, aloe vera, panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), a-bisobolol, tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E), allantoin, and chamomile extract work to a more youthful and even skin tone.

In spite of all the benefits the natural skin care ingredient vitamin C provides, one should note that it is important not to get stuck on just one antioxidant alone.

Even though vitamin c is evidently very effective in reducing skin aging, it is very complicated, researchers suggest that it is best to fight against the factors, which are increasing skin aging using multiple antioxidants, and but not just relying on a few that has greater publicity.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles

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The benefits of GINGER

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What is Ginger
Ginger is a strengthening food that has long been used to maintain health. Ginger has a long history of both culinary and medicinal use in Chinese, Japanese and Indian medicines. In ancient China, ginger was regarded as a healing gift from God and was commonly used to cleanse and warm the body.
Qualities of Ginger

The major active ingredients in ginger are terpenes and oleoresin called ginger oil. These two, and other active ingredients in ginger, provide antiseptic, lymph-cleansing, circulation, and constipation relief qualities.


--> Ginger is good for the respiratory system
--> It is good to fight against colds and flu
--> Ginger offers substantial protection from stroke and heart attack because of its ability to prevent blood clotting
--> Ginger, a multifaceted herb, is crucial in the battle against cardiovascular disease
--> Relieves headaches and pains
--> Helps to clear sore throats
--> Good for upset stomach and indigestion
--> It is very effective as a cleansing agent through the bowels and kidneys and also through the skin

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Some of the problems cured by Ginger

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Colds/Flu ---> Kills influenza virus by improving immune system's ability to fight infections. Ginger also relieves headaches.

Increases Circulation--> Increases the muscular contractions of the heart atria, there by increase in overall circulation. Ginger has been proven to prevent internal blood clots and lowers blood pressure. Ginger Root stimulates the central nervous system controlling the heart and respiratory centers. Ginger helps reduce serum cholesterol, which can slow down circulation.

Ginger Relieves Motion/Morning Sickness--> Ginger is one of the most effective herbal remedies to get rid of Motion/ Morning Sickness.

Digestive Aid - Indigestion, Stomach Ache--> Ginger Root increases production of saliva in the mouth and dramatically increases digestive enzyme amylase in the saliva to additionally aid digestion. Ginger Root also contains a very effective digestive enzyme zingibain.

Women's Health--> Ginger Root is good for the uterus as well as the intestinal tract and may ease menstrual cramps

Skin Very cleansing--> Reduces pus in infected wounds as well as boils. Clears spots caused by chicken pox and shingles. Useful for burns, sores, sunburn, ringworm, warts, herpes, athletes foot and even for dandruff.

Ginger is sometimes recommended as an alternative to aspirin for people who can not take aspirin because of its irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
Ginger cures following ailments


Asthma - Adults
Athlete's Foot
Acne
Boils/ Blisters
Cold Sores
Cuts
Cold
Flu
Gingivitis
Glandular Fever
Gum Infections
Head Lice
Infections
Insect Bites / Stings
Mosquito Bites
Mouth Ulcers
Mumps
Ringworm (tinea)
Skin Conditions - Antiseptic
Sore Throat
Warts

With all the benefits to the average person, ginger should be included in the diet every day. Especially for a person who are suffering from heart problems, cold/flu, stress problem, motion sickness a daily dose of ginger combined with other herbs to enhance their effectiveness is part of a sensible, healthy diet.

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7 DON'T after a meal

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1. Don't smoke- Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).

2. Don't eat fruits immediately - Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruit 1-2 hr after meal or 1hr before meal.

3. Don't drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the Protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.

4. Don't loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted & blocked.


5. Don't bathe - Bathing after meal will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease. This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.

6. Don't walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.
7. Don't sleep immediately - The food we intake will not be able to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric & infection in our intestine

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Skin Cancer & You : Learning How to Self-Screen

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YOU are your own first line of defense.

Most of the spots on your skin — freckles, birthmarks, moles — are normal, but some may be more susceptible to skin cancers. There are three main types of skin cancers:

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Melanoma
Melanoma is the third most common form of skin cancer and the most deadly. Fortunately, each of these can usually be discovered at an early stage when they are readily curable. If you ever spot any freckles, birthmarks, moles or other suspicious or changing growths, see your dermatologist promptly.

The A, B, C, D & E's of Skin Cancer

Learning how to check yourself for signs of skin cancer is the easiest and most important step in reducing your skin cancer risks.

Stand in front of a mirror and check your entire body for moles, freckles, birthmarks or other unusual spots. Use a hand mirror to check any hard-to-see places. Examine each one, and if you notice any showing any signs of the symptoms described below, contact your dermatologist and schedule a skin exam immediately.

Asymmetrical : Most early melanomas are asymmetrical, meaning a line through the middle would not create matching halves. Common moles are round and symmetrical.

Borders : The borders of early melanomas are often uneven and may have scalloped, notched and fuzzy edges. Common moles have smoother, more even borders.

Colors : Common moles usually are a single shade of brown. Varied shades of brown, tan or black can be the first sign of melanoma, and may progress to the colors red, white and blue.

Diameter : Early melanomas usually grow larger than common moles — generally to at least the size of a pencil eraser (about 6mm or ¼" in diameter).

Evolving : When a mole is evolving (changing), see a doctor. Be alert for any change — in size, shape, color, elevation, bleeding, itching, crusting or any other trait — in an existing mole.


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Simple healthy tips to prevent cancer

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1. Don't Smoke
Smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. If you smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes, or use "smokeless" tobacco, stop now. (Avoid second-hand smoke as if your life depended on it. It may.)

2. Wear a Hat
Exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. Use SPF15 sunscreen,
wear a hat and cover up. Avoid tanning booths, too!

3. Watch What You Drink
Alcohol is not recommended, but if you do drink, the USDA suggests you do so in moderation.
If you must drink, make water your only choice.

4. Cut the Fat
Your daily consumption of fats should be 30% or less of your total calorie intake.
High fat diets contribute to several forms of cancer, including breast and colon cancer.

5. Eat Your Vegetables
Fruits/vegetables at least 5 servings a day will help provide Vitamins A, C, E and other substances that contain known anti-cancer agents. Especially good for you are deep green and yellow/orange vegetables.


6. Rough It
Roughage and fiber help prevent cancer of the colon; eat 6 servings daily (20-30 grams)
of fiber filled beans, whole grains and vegetables.


7. Stay In Shape
Overweight people are at greater risk for cancer and heart disease.
Get in the habit of exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet.

8. Learn to Relax
Stress weakens the immune system, which reduces your ability to fight cancer and other disease. Work out, walk, garden, meditate, etc. Find a method that works for you.

9. Keep a Healthy Home
Eliminate toxic chemicals and cleaners around your home. Switch to environmentally safe
cleaning and yard products.

10. Take Control of Your Health
Next to prevention, your best defense against cancer is early detection.
Make it a habit to get screening tests for cancer, such as a mammogram, PAP test and prostate exam.

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Natural Skin Care - The Simplest Remedy is Hydration

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If you feel fatigued and your skin is dry and wrinkled, it may not be old age creeping up on you. You just might be dehydrated. The simplest natural skin care remedy is staying hydrated. Hydration results in better health and gorgeous skin.

Well-moisturized skin glows and is soft and supple to the touch. Staying hydrated as part of your natural skin care helps slow the signs of aging. It also protects you from dry skin, cracking, itching, chapping, and pain while helping your skin's ability to heal.

Even the symptoms of mild dehydration are noticeable in your body. Dehydration can occur after only a two percent loss or shortage of water in your body. This is why staying hydrated is an important aspect in natural skin care. Typical symptoms experienced with mild dehydration include thirst, fatigue, dry mouth, weakness, decreased urination, loss of appetite, and dry skin.

Dehydration can happen for several reasons other than not drinking enough water. Temperature, climate, medications, illness, and activity level can all lead to dehydration and dry skin. Natural skin care experts estimate that people lose a good amount of water just by breathing, urinating, sweating, and generally going about daily activities. With a high level of activity and a hot temperature, your body looses water quickly.

The first step in natural skin care is to hydrate your body from the inside out by drinking plenty of water. By sipping water throughout your day, you will help your skin maintain a balance of moisture. When you stay hydrated, your skin cells plump up, protecting your skin from dryness and moisture loss. Most natural skin care experts recommend drinking six to eight glasses of water per day, but this may vary depending on the amount of water your body loses, as some days you may need to replenish your body with more water than on other days.

The best amount of water to drink for natural skin care is the amount that feels right to you. Everyone is different and no set amount is perfect for every person. Never force yourself to drink water, as drinking too much water is dangerous. Do not gulp water, either. Leisurely sipping throughout your day is ideal.

Water acts as a natural skin care diuretic, assisting your kidneys in releasing toxins from your body. This can only happen if your body has enough water.


Drinking water as part of natural skin care allows you to hydrate the inside of your body, but there are also natural skin care remedies for the outside that you can apply directly to your skin.

Moisturizers - Slather on a natural skin care moisturizer made from natural ingredients as a healthy way to seal in your body's natural moisture, especially after a bath or shower. Natural skin care moisturizers offer a nourishing treat for your skin that also helps to fight aging.

Facial Mists - Consider mixing up a natural skin care facial mist from natural ingredients that contain beneficial antioxidants. Facial mists feel great on hot summer days while warm facial mists are a treat on cold winter days. Carry a small misting bottle containing your favorite natural skin care facial mist with you for a quick spritz throughout your day. Facial mists offer another great way to fight moisture loss from the outside.

Natural skin care, and in particular facial rejuvenation natural recipes you mix up yourself at home, offer ingredients that hydrate, heal, renew, and protect. Natural skin care's simplest remedy is stay hydrated and stay beautiful.

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Natural Skin Care Products - How Do You Choose?

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There are so many natural skin care products out there, all of them promising to help make your skin look younger and healthier. But with so many options and choices out there, how can you really choose the product that will provide you with the most effective skincare? Well, it's actually not that difficult. Once you realize exactly what your skin needs to look its best, the next step is choosing products that contain that contain the right ingredients. And here are five things your skin needs to keep it looking young and healthy.

Moisturizer
A good moisturizer is one of the key ingredients in a good skin care routine. If you're skin is dry, it is more vulnerable to things like age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, as well as other kinds of damage. Keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated is one way to keep it looking its best. But not all moisturizers are created equally. Synthetic moisturizers can clog your pores and keep your skin from breathing. Natural moisturizers, on the other hand, give your skin the moisture it needs without clogging the pores and causing breakouts or other skin problems.

Protection from the Sun
Too much sun exposure is one of the major causes of the visible signs of aging, including wrinkles, age spots, and dark circles around your eyes. Exposure to harmful UV rays can also cause other kinds of damage that make your skin look older. That's why it's important to use products that contain ingredients, like CoenzymeQ10, that can protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

Antioxidants to Fight Free Radicals
As we now know, free radicals can cause all kinds of damage to your body, and is responsible for many health problems. And your skin is no exception. Fortunately, beauty products that contain antioxidants can protect your skin from the damage free radicals can cause. Not only that, but free radicals can actually reverse some of the skin damage you might have already experienced. Ingredients

That Stimulate New Skin Cell Rejuvenation
One of the keys to youthful looking skin is the production of new skin cells. When new skin cells are produced to replace old, worn out ones, the result is younger looking skin. Unfortunately, as we get older, our body's production of new skin cells begins to slow down. But all is not lost. There are some skincare ingredients that can stimulate the production of new skin cells. CynergyTK is one good example. This ingredient has been clinically proven to dramatically increase skin cell production by as much as 160%.


Ingredients That Stimulate Collagen and Elastin Production
As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin. This is unfortunate because, without them, our skin can begin to lose firmness and elasticity, as well as developing fine lines and wrinkles. Fortunately, the right skin care product can help to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, resulting in thicker, firmer, more elastic skin. Finding the right natural skin care products isn't as difficult as you might think, especially when you know which ingredients will give you the results you want.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles

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