Home Remedies to Cure a Yeast Infection

Yeast infection is sometimes referred to as Candida, a fungal infection which manifests itself in an individual as oral thrush, vaginitis or other forms which may be life threatening. This therefore means that there are a number of cures that can be used in alleviating this infection including yeast infection home remedies. These remedies refer to natural foods and other herbs that can be prepared and used at home in an effort to cure yeast and they include:-

Garlic; this is one of the most common yeast infection natural remedies that can be used in treating this at home. Garlic has very strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which make it an effective home remedy not only to yeast but other disorders. This can be utilized directly by chewing fresh garlic two to three times a day or it can be applied on the affected areas directly for example inserting it in the vagina overnight. By chewing garlic, in some cases you may chew garlic clove which is not pleasant hence in avoiding this, remove the skins of garlic, mince them with a knife then you can mix the extract with water or juice before taking it.

Tea Tree Oil; as one of the yeast infection home remedies, tea tree oil is very effective in curing Candida. This yellowish oil is rich in anti-microbial/anti-fungal properties which make it very effective when used in treating the infection. Once the oil has been extracted, it can be applied directly on the areas that are infected by yeast and in case of vaginal infection some of the oil can be put in lukewarm water and used in taking sitz bath, but this may cause some irritations to some women hence use should be stopped if irritations are observed.

Yogurt can be used as one of the home remedies for curing this infection. This is because yogurt is rich in good bacteria mostly the lactobacillus acidophilus which is used as a culture in yogurt manufacture. This will help in restoring the micro-organisms balance in the body which when imbalanced will give room for yeast infection to take place. It is therefore recommended that after yeast infection has set in, the patient should take at least a cup of yogurt in every breakfast for one week as this will clear the symptoms of yeast effectively.

Water; as one of the yeast infection home remedies, it not only hydrates the system but it also helps in flushing toxins and sugars which may be present in the body. These sugars and toxins are known in promoting the multiplication of yeast once in the body since they provide them with nutrients.

Five Harmful Ingredients in Cheap Skin Care Products You Want to Avoid

If you're like most people, you're overwhelmed by the number of skin care products on the market. And, you've heard that the most expensive products are often least effective. So, should you opt, instead, for cheap skin care products? After all, they could be just as effective as the expensive ones and cost you far less, right?

Well, there are higher levels of harmful ingredients in cheap skin care products than in higher quality ones and they can make your skin worse over time. What are at least five ingredients you should avoid in skin care products? Here are the most commonly found and their potential effect on your skin.

1. Alcohols. Because it's cheap and readily available, it's commonly used as a preservative in body care products. It also shows up on product labels as ethanol, methanol, isopropyl, alcohol, benzyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol and SD alcohol. Most of us know it's drying to your skin. But did you know it can also strip your skin's natural acid mantle increasing the likelihood of viruses, bacteria and mold entering your body through your damaged skin?

2. Parabens. Another inexpensive preservative, you'll know the cheap skin care product you're buying contain them when you see this ingredient's other names ethyl paraben, propyl, butyl, and methyl. These harmful chemicals are a cheap way for manufacturers to increase the shelf life of skin care and body moisturizing products. Yet, research shows they may be cancer-causing additives that increase skin rashes and allergic reactions to the products.

3. Mineral Oil. This inexpensive product is one of the most commonly found in hair and skin products. In fact, it's the one most often found in cheap skin care products. If you seepetrolatum, paraffin wax or liquid paraffin on the label, you're seeing mineral oil. But, this product clogs your pores and keeps your skin from breathing. This likely skin irritant can increase acne flare ups and keep your skin from eliminating toxins. Worse, over time, you skin may come to depend on your using it! A primary culprit in chapping and drying, the product can accelerate aging.

4. Fragrances. If you're like me, you love fragrances and you buy products that have nice scents to them. But, you need to limit fragrances to colognes and perfumes you dab on certain areas of your body and avoid it in products you slather all over your face and body. Otherwise, you may be literally feeding your skin toxins that studies show can cause cancer.

5. Dioxane. Widely used in skin care products as 1,4-dioxane, this derivative of coconut oil is so toxic that the State of California, which has some of the most protective consumer laws in the country, warns that this chemical causes cancer. Do you really want to be paying to rub carcinogens into your skin?

How Choosing the Best Skin Firming Lotion?

Choosing the best skin firming lotion can be a bit tricky. First, there are several products and brands that claim to be the best... and, the ingredients that make them effective can vary widely. Here's a quick explanation of what we think are the best ingredients and formulations you should consider.

What Should a Skin Firming Lotion Do?

Let's talk first about overall application and what you want out of a firming lotion. For most folks, there are two primary goals; one, firm or tighten loose, sagging or wrinkled skin. Given there are plenty of options for wrinkle serums for the face and skin tightening cream, a lotion is primarily used on the body - arms, legs, waist, stomach, chest, thighs, etc. Two, skin firming lotions should provide moisture and hydration to relieve dryness and to improve the smoothness and flexibility of the skin. Note: This added hydration cuts-down on the wrinkled, sagging appearance of the skin, too - a little added bonus.

So, what should we look for? In our opinion (and granted we manufacture hundreds of products), there are several key ingredients you need to make sure you get...the remainder are fluff, add-ons or ingredients that provide some specific incremental benefit.

Look For...

    Matrixyl® 3000 - While there are several ingredients that provide control of wrinkled skin, Matrixyl® 3000 continues to be our favorite. Matrixyl 3000 is a polypeptide with Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, and Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 in a patented formula. The benefits of Matrixyl 3000 are that it is one of the most effective and widely used firming agents for skin care products. You'll find it used in popular brands ranging from Skin Tight® Body Firming Lotion to Nuetrogena® and others.

    Hyaluronic Acid - We in the skin care industry continue to cringe at the name, but it is what it is. Hyaluronic Acid is naturally produced by our bodies and help us retain, increase and improve moisture in our skin tissue. It is (what we think) is a key ingredient in any skin firming lotion where you want/need maximum hydration.

    Emu Oil - While not too popular (yet) in the U.S., Emu Oil is a staple for skin care in Australia and New Zealand. Once considered a "miracle oil" with little scientific support, Emu Oil has been the subject of numerous clinical studies that have proved its long list of benefits - anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, deep moisturizing, and improved tissue health.

    Green Tea - There are few natural ingredients that perform antioxidant protection as well as Green Tea extract. Why is this important? Antioxidants provide protection from (and in some cases) repair to damage caused by free-radical oxidization. Well, so what? Well...many scientists and researchers agree free-radical damage - or I should say the accumulation of such damage - is the primary cause of aging skin. Free-radicals damage and degenerate the cell membranes of bones, tendons, skin cells, muscle, and organs. For topical applications, Green Tea is a key for lotion protection.

Making Natural Skin Whitening A Useful Part Of Your Life

Natural skin whitening is a solution that more and more people uncomfortable with the pigment of their skin are moving to. With naturally based products, you can rest assured that they will be safe to the skin and, most of the time, without any kind of critical drawbacks, irritations or inflammations. More painful treatments for skin depigmentation, such as the chemical peel, are going the way of the dodo because they cannot achieve the same results without battering the skin and making the patient feel more like a victim. Even so, you must be careful whenever you are purchasing a natural skin whitening solution because the industry is not regulated, and that can open the door for some questionable companies to get in the mix because of dollar signs instead of a genuine concern for your skin. Here's how you can successfully make natural skin whitening a useful part of your life and never again become the victim of a peel or a shoddily made product.

1. Check the ingredients.

If you are going to be using a product on your skin that can affect pigmentation, then you definitely need to be aware of what is in it. With the Internet such an accessible tool these days, there is no good excuse for using a product and suffering consequences as a result of oversight or ignorance. You are able to google ingredients in minutes and know instantly whether they are compatible for human skin care treatment. If you find any preservatives or additives in the ingredient pile, just remember that the product is no longer what one could consider "natural." Avoid these products at all costs, even if they may sometimes be priced more cheaply.

2. Look for doctor involvement.

Many natural skin whitening products follow a generic formula. They are cooked up at a manufacturing facility and shipped to various locations throughout the world. The only thing that often changes is the label itself. Companies that partake of this large pot of natural skin whitening product care nothing about truly helping you achieve the results you are looking for. Instead they are more concerned with making money, even if it is at your expense. Don't do business with these types of people. Instead, choose factories that can actually be pinpointed in location as a unique carrier of the brand sigil. Trust in these facilities because they are often overseen by a doctor and not an assembly line worker. Adding the touch of a dermatologist is also enormous peace of mind.

Healthy Habits For Beautiful Skin

Lifestyles do influence the way our skin looks. Although many might think their skin can handle the daily wear and tear, the truth of the matter is it's delicate and needs tender loving care from the inside out.

Our skin protects us from the outdoor elements and harsh environments, so it needs to renew itself with better daily habits.

Here are some tips to get better looking skin that everyone will envy.

Skin Care Routine:

It's so important to have a daily skin care regimen which includes at least a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. For those serious about keeping their skin youthful, it's important to find the right skin care products for a particular skin type. Whether it's anti-aging, acne fighting, dry skin, combination or normal skin, do find the right product line for the best results.

Teaming up with a skin care professional is another great pathway, too.

Wear Sunscreen Daily:

Before stepping outside, be sure to wear sunscreen. In fact, apply it about 15 to 20 minutes beforehand.

UVA and UVB rays cause rapid premature skin aging, and even worse, skin cancer. Be it a bright sunny afternoon or an overcast day harmful rays will penetrate through and do its damage. This is why wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen every day is so important.

When purchasing a broad spectrum sunscreen, important ingredients to look for are:

    Ecamsule
    Avobenzone
    Oxybenzone
    Sulisobenzone
    Titanium dioxide
    Zinc oxide

Literally, sunscreen is one of the top defenders in any anti-aging skin care regimen.

Stop Smoking:

While much research has touted the negative health issues of smoking, another area it can wreak havoc on is the skin.

Smoking can fast forward fine lines and wrinkles, paleness, and grayish facial coloring.

Cigarette smoke changes the blood vessels in the skin causing them to shrink and slow down the blood flow. Ultimately, this leads to less oxygen. And nutrients such as vitamins A and C are unable to reach the upper skin layer. A breakdown in the skin will eventually happen sooner than later.

Another reason to kick the habit is the damage to an enzyme which destroys collagen and elastin. Cigarette smoke will cause the skin to sag.

Eat A Balanced Diet:

Foods rich with antioxidants such as berries, tomatoes, and carrots are wonderful for the skin. Other great antioxidants to add into a diet can also include:

    Artichoke hearts
    Dark chocolate
    Pecans
    Kidney, pinto and red beans

Limit alcohol and coffee intake since caffeine can dehydrate the skin which spurs fine lines and wrinkles. Water is good for the skin so keep track of those eight glasses a day.