Cosmetics For Mixed Race Skin

Mixed race skin types can make it a little difficult when choosing skin foundations, or pressed powders. Often when we do choose a colour, it can make our face look whiter than the rest of our body, or the other problem is the foundation can go orange. I'm sure some of you know exactly what I mean, it's frustrating. You spend more time than most women just trying out the testers from medium to dark. My skin tone is "medium white to olive." I think now I may have found the solution to this rather annoying problem.

I purchased a DIY "mineral makeup" kit. I can now make my own foundation and it's good for my skin. The kit comes with a "how-to" manual. Personally, I think this is the answer if you have mixed race skin, as usually, we fall somewhere in between the shades available in retail stores which are mostly the basic "light, medium and dark.

Because my skin will naturally darken very easily in the summer months, I need a darker shade and a lighter one for winter, usually two shades lighter than the one I use in summer. This is common for olive to dark skin tones. Mixed race skin types are exciting, lots of colour looks great especially in the summer when skin can look glowing and dewy.

I have found DIY mineral makeup kits exciting to play around with. There is less wastage and not as time consuming trying to make the standard colours available fit our unique skin colour and the minerals help with acne and many other skin issues especially if your skin is sensitive. You can purchase DIY mineral makeup kits online.

The cost of purchasing a DIY mineral makeup kit varies slightly from around $70 to 100+ depending on what the kit consists of. I still think this is a cost effective way to encompass with your skin care range. We pay more - often for the fancy packaging in pharmacies, and the quality of the contents are loaded with petrochemicals and sulphates not to mention the hideous animal testing in pharmaceutical testing laboratories.

If I can, I will always scan for the cruelty-free products and look out for labels where a white rabbit appears somewhere on the label, as this is all the proof you need to recognise that the product is completely free of any animal derivatives, animal testing, and nasty chemicals

4 Great Natural Anti Aging Products for the Face

We all get older, and although becoming more experienced and wiser is fantastic, many of us want to remain looking as youthful as possible for as long as possible. This is where anti-aging products for the face and body come in, and there is a multi-billion pound industry across the globe catering to these needs and wants.

Nowadays the demand for natural anti-aging products is very high too, largely due to a growing interest in safer and less toxic products, some of which have been linked with various serious illnesses. Thankfully, there are many great natural anti-aging products available that can be used as ingredients in a tailored skincare product or even neat on the skin.

The first product worth mentioning is hyaluronic acid, which has become a very popular ingredient in many face creams and serums in recent years. This naturally-derived substance has many benefits for the skin, including the fact that it retains an exceptional amount of moisture, which keeps the skin plump and youthful-looking.

Hyaluronic acid also provides the benefit of anti-oxidants which fight skin damage caused by free radicals, and is also naturally found in the skin anyway, which makes it easy to absorb and highly effective. If you are looking for a quality natural anti-aging ingredient, hyaluronic acid is well worth looking for so that you can start to use it in your skincare regime.

Another powerful product which can be incorporated into face creams and other skincare products is marine algae extract, which is available for purchase from top natural skin care retailers. Although the extract product you buy will vary depending on the source and the concentration, algae extracts are known by experts for their powerful anti wrinkle effects.

Studies have shown that marine algae extract can help stimulate cellular proliferation, which significantly increases collagen synthesis by almost 20% when applied to the skin. This can therefore help to dramatically improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and also restores natural suppleness and radiance to the skin.

These two products are widely used as ingredients that can be added to base creams and serums for a very targeted effect. However, there are a couple of natural anti-aging oils on the market too that can be used neat as moisturisers as well as having the capacity to be mixed with other extracts.

Rosehip oil is widely considered to be one of the best oils for anti-aging, as its unique blend of lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin E, essential omega fatty acids, beta-carotene and more all work in harmony to plump up fine lines, protect the skin from damage and improve the complexion. This combination of benefits is excellent for aging akin.

Rosehip oil can be used on its own, or can be mixed with other creams or face lotions to give them a boost. Many people use this rich oil at bedtime in order to repair their skin whilst they sleep. However, this can also be effectively used as a daytime moisturiser, as it is a non-greasy dry oil which is tolerated by all skin types.

Lastly, a fourth highly recommended product for anti-aging is argan oil, which has received a boost in popularity in recent years. Rich in anti-oxidants, this is excellent as a face moisturiser and anti-aging concentrate, and a few drops can be applied to the face and neck after cleansing to give a glow and deep, wrinkle-treating nourishment throughout the day or night.

From hyaluronic acid to argan oil, there are many great natural anti-aging skincare products on the market today. These can be used alone or by adding them to your favourite store bought products. However, you may decide to go one step further and make your own tailored face cream from scratch - this can provide optimal anti-aging benefits for your unique skin type

The Dangers in Chemical Based Cosmetics

Many cosmetics contain dangerous chemical ingredients that can cause damage much deeper than just skin level. The cosmetics industry adds synthetic chemicals to anything from shaving cream to body lotion to lipstick. Many of these ingredients are the same ones that can be found in products used to stabilize pesticides and clean industrial equipment. You may think that it would be illegal to include such dangerous ingredients in cosmetics that are sold to the public, but major loopholes in federal laws allows the practice to continue, despite these ingredients being linked to birth defects, infertility, and even cancer.

Many individuals do not thoroughly understand the dangers in chemical based cosmetics, and never give a second thought to what they may be applying to their skin. Remember, the skin is the largest bodily organ. Whatever is applied to it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The continuous use of chemical based cosmetics has been linked to numerous adverse health effects, yet most people continue to use them without realizing just how dangerous they really are.

Below, we will discuss a few of the most-used chemicals in cosmetics, and how they affect your health.

Lead

Lead has been found in over 650 various cosmetics, including lipstick, nail polish, bleaching toothpaste, foundation and sunscreen. Lead is a known neurotoxin that has been linked to behavioral problems, speech delays, and learning disabilities in children. It has been shown to delay puberty in girls and reduce the fertility of both men and women.

Ethylene Oxide

Ethylene oxide is a chemical substance that is traditionally used to sterilize surgical instruments. Because it has been shown to buffer the effects of sudsing agents, trace amounts of it can be found in body washes, shampoos and facial cleansers. According to the National Toxicology Program, is it also classified as a carcinogen?

Parabens

Parabens are one of the most commonly found chemicals in chemical-based cosmetics. They are used in deodorants, creams, lotions, and ointments as a type of preservative. They are very easily absorbed by the skin, making them one of the most dangerous chemical ingredients known. In fact, they have even been identified in samples of breast tumors.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals found in synthetic fragrances (such as scented body sprays) and nail polish which have been shown to disrupt the endocrine system. This can cause girls to experience puberty early, which increases their risk of developing breast cancer later in life.

Triclosan

Triclosan is a popular chemical used extensively in toothpastes, deodorants, and liquid antibacterial soaps to prevent the growth of mold. This chemical is technically classified as a pesticide. Studies have shown that using products that contain this chemical can disrupt thyroid function and hinder normal breast development. Many hand sanitizers also contain triclosan, and have been proven to contribute to bacterial resistance.

Although most cosmetics contain some form of chemical, there is something you can do to avoid using them. Make sure the cosmetics you use contain only natural ingredients, preferably harvested from organically grown and GMO-free sources. What you put IN your body is important for optimal health, but what you put ON your body is just as important.