How to Choose the Best Facial Mask for Your Skin Type

There are many types of facials out there in the market. Not everyone can use everything. Hence, how would you sift through these and find the right match for your skin? The type of mask your face requires depends upon a lot of factors. Your choice of facial mask will depend on your skin type as well as your age. Skin types are many and can be classified into these few; oily, normal, combination and dry.

Oily skin has a lot of limitations. This is so especially because oily skin is prone to breakouts and clogging of pores. Lack of radiance is another limitation associated with oily skin if not taken care of properly. Therefore, oily skin a lot of pampering. And what best way than a clay based face mask! Clay mask helps in unclogging pores by going deep into the pores. Applying clay face mask once a while would give oily skin a boost in terms of exfoliation, deep cleansing and radiance. The mineral properties of clay is well suited for oily skin.

Combination skin is a little tricky. Users with combination skin would need to try out different masks to suit their needs. Also, users would need to know what to apply on which part of the face. The best facial mask for this skin type is also clay based face mask. If oily skin can be safe with clay based facial mask, combination skin could not go wrong there. However, if the clay based facial mask does not suit the user, the user would need to change and experiment with different facial masks.

Normal skin type is a blessing. This skin type has very little problems associated with it if there is any. Therefore, mostly many masks type would suit this skin type. A good boost in radiance would add much value to a face with normal skin. Hence, normal skin type users should go for the radiance boosting and firming facial masks available in the market.The facial mask normal skin user can use can come in the form of gel, cream, peel-off or even wraps.

Then there are user with dry skin type. These users need a boost in moisture. Therefore, users with dry skin need to find facial masks that has moisturizing properties. Also, uses with dry skin should stay away from the exfoliating type of facial masks. This would make their skin more prone to dryness and would cause peeling.

Age type is another factor I mentioned that needs to be taken care of. No matter what you skin type, if you are above the age 30, you would need to go for the facial masks that has firming properties. This is especially so because, as you age, your skin starts to sag. This could be prevented if you give your face regular face lifts and take care of your face.

Learn more about this author, Wahidabi Sulaiman.

Skin Care: The Importance Of Exfoliation

Achieving great looking skin isn't necessarily that hard. You do have to know what to do (and what not to do) for good skin care. While most people understand the importance of hydration, sunscreen and cleansing, they often overlook exfoliation in their skin care regimen. Exfoliation can help bring out a fresh, youthful look to your skin and will help prevent blemishes. The key is to perform the exfoliation properly.

The very outer layer of your skin is actually dead skin cells. Your skin creates new cells underneath and the old ones on the surface slough off on their own. This occurs each and every day, whether you notice it or not. Sometimes this dead layer will build up on the surface of your skin and you will notice your skin has a dull look to it. You may also find you are more prone to blemishes, if the dead skin cells clog your pores. Getting rid of these skin cells will promote healthy skin. To exfoliate, you can choose one of these methods: chemical or abrasive. Chemical exfoliants usually contain some form of mild acid, such as alpha hydroxy or salicylic acid. The acids work to slough off the dead skin cells. These actually come in different strengths and can be applied on their own, or in conjunction with an abrasive exfoliant.

Abrasive exfoliants are creams or liquid cleansers that contain particulate matter, such as ground botanicals, jojoba beads or groundnuts. The use of the abrasive will physically remove the dead skin cells. The particulate matter can come in many different sizes and the type you choose will depend upon the application. You don't want to use the same abrasive on your face that you would use to exfoliate your feet.

Start your exfoliation with clean skin. Wet the skin with warm water and apply the exfoliant. Rub gently in circles with your fingers or a facial sponge, avoiding the under eye area, as this skin is too delicate for exfoliation. Rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry. Apply a toner to help balance the pH of your newly exposed skin cells. Follow this with a moisturizer. Your skin may tingle for fifteen minutes or so after the application, especially for your first couple of times. After that, your skin will become used to it. With the chemical exfoliants, discontinue their use if your skin burns too much after application. Exfoliation only needs to be done once or twice a week. Since you have exposed new skin cells to the surface, it is very important that you use a sunscreen if you will be outdoors.

You can choose to purchase an exfoliant, or you can make your own. Some great home products for exfoliation include ground oats, cornmeal, yogurt, honey or buttermilk. A mixture of ground oats and yogurt would be a combination of an abrasive and chemical (oats for the abrasive and the lactic acid in the yogurt is the chemical).

Whichever product you choose, consistent use of your exfoliant product will result in youthful skin with a healthy glow.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://skin-care-guides.com/]Skin Care
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Skin-Care:-The-Importance-Of-Exfoliation&id=373775

Skin Changes During Pregnancy - Hyperpigmentation

During pregnancy, the female body undergoes multiple changes that affect almost every organ system. The skin being the largest organ of the body is well worth talking about as many pregnant women find it hard to differentiate normal pregnancy skin changes from abnormal ones.

There are 3 general categories of skin conditions that are associated with pregnancy:


1- Benign skin conditions related to normal hormonal changes
2- Pre-existing skin conditions that change during pregnancy
3- Pregnancy-specific Skin disorders.

Benign skin changes which are induced by the normal hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy include; striae gravidarum (Stretch marks) which occur in up to 90% of women.

Hyperpigmentation which is more pronounced in darker skinned women, scars and nevi also may darken. The linea nigra is the line that often forms when the abdominal linea alba darkens during pregnancy and this appears as a midline dark line starting above the ubilicus and extending to the pubic bone. Also, Melasma (The mask of pregnancy) which occurs in up to 70% of pregnant women mainly in sun exposed areas like the cheeks and face.

Hair, nail, and vascular changes as either an increase or decrease in growth and production of hair is common during pregnancy, blood vessels can prolifirate and become congested and little Spider telangiectasias may appear in the neck, face and arms. Vascular changes include varicosities which occur in about 40 % of pregnant women.

Pre-existing skin conditions: Such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, candidal and other fungal infections, cutaneous tumors including molluscum fibrosum gravidarum and malignant melanoma may change during pregnancy. Skin problems like atopic dermatitis & psoriasis can worsen or improve during pregnancy.

Finally, Pregnancy-Specific Dermatologic Disorders:

This is just a list that includes a simple description of these skin disorders, if you suspect you may have one please contact your doctor as some may have a negative outcome on the baby.

Prurigo of pregnancy: This occures in 1 : 300 pregnancies, the cause may be related to gall stones but may not be. This appears as reddish nodules on the extensor surfaces of arms and legs.

Pimiphigoid Gestationis: This skin disorder has been found to be associated with some auto-immune disorders. It appears as vesicles or plaques that start around the umbalicus and spread sparing the face and mucous membranes.

Impetigo herpetiformis : This is a form of pustular psoriasis that occurs in the 2nd trimester, medical attention is always required due to infections and increase fetal risk.

Puppp: Pruritic Urticalial Papules Of Pregnancy is the most common pregnancy-specific skin disorder, occurring in one out of 130 to 300 pregnancies.These are itchy papules that usually begin on the abdomen along stria and frequently invlove extremeties while sparing the face.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: These are excoriations that result from gallbladder disease. Medical attention is a must in this case.

Pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy: This occurs in the second and third trimesters and presents as erythematous follicular papules and sterile pustules. Its causes are unkown and there are no negative fetal outcomes associated with it.(AFP Volume 75, Number 2, January 15, 2007 )

Learn more about this author, Iman Ashour.