For years there has been some debate about whether or not there is such a thing as male menopause. The terminology menopause was designed just to describe the changes that happen, hormonally, metabolically and emotionally, in a woman’s body when she is no longer fertile. During this period in her life hormones fluctuate and cause significant changes in the way that she is able to cope with stress, her menstrual periods, her emotions and her basal metabolic rate.

However, men do undergo physical and emotional changes during their midlife, just as women do, but do not have a definable moment such as a menstrual period. Men finds that as they aged fertility decreases as does the level of testosterone after the age of 40. In terms of sexuality the greatest change occurs between the ages of 45 and 60. They find there is a decline in desire and the ability to get and maintain erections.  Read more...

With so many dangerous chemicals in mainstream cosmetics these days, more and more women are turning to the idea of natural beauty. Natural beauty is the practice of using only organic ingredients for skin and hair care. This avoids many of the health and allergy issues caused by commercial personal care products. Here are a few tips on how to choose natural beauty products.

If you are ready to get rid of those chemical-laden cosmetic products and enter the world of natural beauty, there are quite a few choices out there. You can often save money by making your own cosmetic products at home out of common kitchen goods. When you first begin a regimen of natural products, your body may go through a brief detoxifying period while it adjust to not being drenched with toxins on a daily basis.  Read more...

The right set of skin care products can show the world that you care about your appearance and what you use on your skin. After all, your face is the first thing people see when they meet you, so you want to look your best. Here are some things to look for when trying to protect your skin.

Simply washing your face with soap alone is not sufficient daily skin care. Soap may clean up some of the oil and dirt on your face and may even open up some pores, but it does nothing to moisturize or condition your skin. In addition to your normal daily routine of washing with soap, add in some quality skin care products to protect and soften your skin.

There are a number of facial care products on the market to choose from. Always use a facial cleanser instead of regular bar soap because body soap can dry out the face and will not give you any of the moisturizing properties of a good cleanser. Specially designed cleansers can be used for treating oily or dry skin, soothing sensitive skin, removing acne, or cleaning off cosmetics. Facial cleansers are available in different varieties, such as liquid, foam, cream, or gel.  Read more...

Healthy skin is really one of the most important ingredients for beauty-enhancement. This article on skin care tips is an effort to bring the 10 best skin care tips to you. The list of skin care tips has been restricted to 10 because anything more that that would not only be difficult to remember, but also shadow the more important skin care tips. So let’s see what these top ten skin care tips are:
* Knowing your skin type is one of the most important skin care tip. This is important because not every skin care product suits everyone. In fact, all the skin care products specify the type of skin they cater too.
* ‘Drink a lot of water’. This will not keep your skin moist but will help in overall upkeep of your health (and in turn your skin). It might seem a bit awkward to some, however, this is an important skin care tip.
* Cleanse your skin regularly (1-2 times everyday). A very effective skin care tip that helps in getting rid of the dirt and other harsh elements from your skin. Cleansing is especially important when you have been out of your house (and hence exposed to pollutants, dust etc). This skin care tip also advocates the use of Luke warm water for cleansing (hot and cold water, both, cause damage to your skin)
* Be gentle, after all it’s your skin. Don’t scrub/exfoliate too hard or too often. Similarly, don’t apply too much or too many skin care products. A must-to-follow skin care tip.
* Keep your skin moist at all times. This is one of the most important skin care tip. Don’t let your skin get dry. Dryness causes the outer layer of your skin to break, leading to a rough and unattractive appearance. Use moisturisers/ emollients. Moisturisers work best when applied while the skin is still damp.
* Avoid the use of soap on your face. Soap should only be used from below the neck. A small but important skin care tip.
* Use sunscreen to protect yourself from sun’s harmful UV radiations. You can use day-time moisturisers that have sunscreen built into them. Use them even when it’s cloudy. UV radiations are known to cause skin cancer, so follow this skin care tip without fail.
* A bit of exercise and good sleep are essential too, not just for skin care but for your health as a whole. Lack of sleep can lead to formation of wrinkles below your eyes and lack of exercise can cause your skin to slack. Moreover, exercise and sleep also help in beating stress. So besides being a skin care tip, this is also a health care tip.
* Treat skin dilemmas with care. This skin care tip is about not ignoring any skin dilemmas. Consult your dermatologist before you go on to use a skin care product (lest you do end up harming your skin even more).
* Beat the stress. The harmful effects of stress are known to everyone, however, sometimes stating the obvious is essential too (and hence this skin care tip found its place here). Yes, stress harms skin too. So, take a break or indulge in a warm bubble bath or just get good sleep.

Glycolic as it is the smallest alpha hydroxy acids known to man. It is colorless, odorless and highly soluble in water. Researchers have used it in a variety of skin care products but it’s original preparation was used in the manufacture of metals. Because of its excellent capability to penetrate the skin, dermatologists use it in skin care products and often as a chemical peel.

Dermatologists believe that it improves the skins appearance in texture and may reduce wrinkles, acne, scarring and hyperpigmentation. Once the chemical is applied to the skin it reacts with the upper layer of the epidermis and allows the outer skin to dissolve more easily revealing the new cells beneath.

Glycolic as it has also found uses in the textile industry as a dying and tanning agents for materials and as a flavoring agents and preservative in the food industry. It might be added to any ink and paint in order to improve flow properties or in part a gloss on the final product.  Read more...

Collagen is the most abundant protein molecule making up between 25% and 35% of the body’s protein content. Collagen is fiber is the nature and connects and support other body tissues such as skin, bone, tendons and cartilage. Interestingly, cartilages also found in the structure of tea and there are more than 25 different types that naturally occur in the body.

Important in the discussion of the aging process, collagen provides a strong support system for the skin. When that support system degenerates it results in sagging loose skin, contributing to the appearance of age. Some people refer to collagen as the glue that holds the bodies together because, without it, the body would quite literally fall apart.

Collagen, in combination with keratin provides the skin with strength, flexibility and resilience. In those individuals who want to fight the visible effects of aging skin care professionals are researching and developing ways in which to stimulate the production of collagen and they are for reduce the visible signs of aging.  Read more...

How does the body function? Well, it needs a variety of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals to keep you feeling good. One of those vitamins is vitamin E. This vitamin is good for your overall health but is especially mentioned in relation to the skin.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances in the body that fight the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are produced from the environment through pollution, smoking, the foods we eat, chemicals we ingest and the simple process of aging. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals before they can do damage. And, free radicals do wreak havoc on your body, playing a role in various conditions like heart disease and cancer.

You can get vitamin E in lotions and cream for direct contact with the skin. Supplements give you concentrated vitamin E to benefit the entire body. Vitamin E is also found in foods like nuts, seeds, wheat germ and vegetable oils. The best form of vitamin E to get is alpha-tocopherol in its alcohol form and not as acetate.  Read more...

The impact of diet and specific types of food groups on age associated degenerative diseases has been widely studied and recognized in recent years. When mom said, “eat your fruits and vegetables” she was speaking wisdom beyond her years.

Researchers have theorized that free radicals exist within the body which destroy cells and DNA replication leading to disease, illness and cancer. Doctors and researchers believe that anti-oxidants, other proteins molecules, will fight the effects of free radicals in the body. This understanding has led physicians to theorize that antioxidants will decrease oxidative stress and decrease dysregulation of cells function as well as aging. All of these factors together leading physicians to believe that antioxidants positively affect the aging process. In other words, those who eat their fruits and vegetables prevent premature aging and delay natural aging.  Read more...

Age spots, commonly called liver spots or brown spots, often plague individuals as they age. Unfortunately, individuals who spend any amount of time in the sun may expect to see these spots emerge after the age of 40. These spots are flats, gray or brown and sometimes black. They vary in size and usually will appear on the face, hands and shoulders-or those areas which are most exposed to the sun. Although they are most common after the age of 40 they can affect younger people as well.

True age spots are harmless but they can mimic cancerous growths. For this reason they should be evaluated by your primary care physician in order to ensure that they are not the early stages of skin cancer.

For cosmetic reasons, liver spots or age spots can be lightened with skin bleaching products or removed at your dermatologist’s office. But, the best way to treat age spots is to prevent them in the first place. This means to avoid the sun and using a high quality sunscreen to protect the skin.  Read more...

Wrinkles on the face, or laugh lines, appear on the face and sometimes even on the forehead. They show up as people grow older.

Nothing shows age more than facial wrinkles. For this reason, some people will try just about anything to make them disappear. Plastic surgery is the most extreme attempt at hiding the years through a procedure called a facelift. Getting a facelift is not a long term solution. Sure, it will make you look younger for a couple of years but sooner or later the wrinkles will reappear and a second or third facelift will be required. Aging and facial wrinkles are inevitible.

Plastic surgery is a procedure that is not at all good for our skin. It causes terrible damage to the tissues in the face. Botox injections are becoming increasingly popular but you should know that botox is one of the deadliest biochemicals known to man. Botox causes partial paralysis in the muscles of the face. You should do a lot of research before attempting either plastic surgery or botox injections.  Read more...

by: Paula Polman

Aromatherapy is a growing area of interest as North America continues its search for alternative and complimentary applications of natural medicines. The use of herbal Supplements in our daily lives is one excellent example of this.

Aromatherapy, however, is still in the realm of uncertainty. People are familiar with the term, most have heard of essential oils, but still few know how to use them in practical applications.

Heres a short list of some examples of ways to enhance your daily life with essential oils:  Read more...

Aromatherapy brings us the aromatic energy of living plants in the form of Essential Oils. These fragrances are a natural antidote to the emotionally debilitating effects of winter. Aromatherapy is supportive in the winter season of quiet regeneration. Winter Essential Oils cleanse and freshen air in homes closed tight against the cold weather.

Essential Oils for winter include woody, evergreen, citrus, spice and resin oils. Gingerbread and delicious spice cake come to mind with pungent Essential Oils such as Clove, Cinnamon, allspice, Ginger and Nutmeg. Fresh citrus oils including Bergamot, sweet Orange, Lemon and Tangerine recall memories of old fashioned citrus pomanders.

Warming oils include Orange, Black Pepper and Rosemary. Immune boosting oils are Tea-Tree, Lavender, Sandalwood and Bergamot. To ease congestion and fight infections use Tea-Tree, Pine, Eucalyptus and Lavender. Bergamot tea is useful for a Sore Throat and can be used as a gargle. Chamomile tea is very soothing and eases an upset stomach.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)Bergamot is uplifting sweet with a fruity fragrance. Helpful for Depression. Refreshes a room. Avoid sunbathing and sunbeds when using this oil.  Read more...

Bath and massage oils are made by adding Essential Oils to vegetable Carrier Oil bases. The ratio is one teaspoon of Essential Oil to 4 ounces of Carrier Oil. Use amber or cobalt Blue glass for your oils and keep out of direct light. Do not store in plastic bottles. It is best not to store in the bathroom because of the heat during showers.

Bath Oils

Using Essential Oils in the bath is one of the nicest ways to enjoy their therapeutic benefits. Adding them to a Carrier Oil help to disperse the Essential Oils throughout the water and onto to your body. Lighter oils disperse more readily in the water. To use bath oils, draw your bath first, close the door and then add about two teaspoons of bath oil to your water.

Heavier oils lie on the top of the bath water and will cling to your skin when leaving the bath.

Light oils suitable for bath oils that readily disperse include Sunflower oil and Grapeseed oil.  Read more...

What if you can escape the inescapability of time and just enjoy the pleasure of looking young? Quite difficult? Definitely not. Looking youthful and chirpy is just a matter of giving extra care for yourself and emphasizing your features, surely bringing out the best of what you got. So start defying your age now with some easy steps.

Stopping smoking

As early as 1800s, it was already observed that smoking has detrimental effects on the skin. Two centuries later, people became more aware of this because these effects are evident among chronic smokers. Some of these consequences include premature lines and folds stemming from the corner of the eyes to the zygomatic area (in the aging process, wrinkles are a natural element , but smoking speeds this up); dry and leathery appearance of the skin; grey-pallor complexion; a haggard appearance; and some more.  Read more...

Carrier Oils may be applied directly on the skin, and/or Essential Oils may be added for use as body, bath or massage oils. As most holistic aroma therapy treatments involve massage, it is important that Carrier Oils are pure, unadulterated and naturally extracted.

Vegetable oils are the most familiar Carrier Oils used in aromatherapy as they have many interesting properties & benefits. Store away from heat & strong light sources. (May be refrigerated to extend shelf life). External use only.

Sweet Almond ~ Prunus dulcis ~ amygdalus var. dulcis

The earliest use of Almond oil dates back to the Romans who used it extensively in Skincare preparations. Sweet Almond is a well tolerated, light, nonintrusive Base Oil for massage with a faint or no fragrance.

* Protects, nourishes & pampers the skin.

* Ideal for chapped or irritated skin.

* Has excellent penetrating properties.

* Beneficial regardless of skin type or age.

* Particularly good for dry, sensitive skin.

Apricot Kernel ~ Prunus armeniaca  Read more...

Suddenly, looking in the mirror is a burden. Suddenly, you dont go out that much. The sight of crows feet haunts you even if you dont have them. Face it, youre aging.

Technically, aging means a process that includes changes in the structure and elasticity of the skin over time. Usually, it starts as early as your late teenage years and may start as late as in your late twenties. Our skin does a lot of things. It analyzes sensations such as pressure, pain and touch. It also protects us from the environment, helps balance fluid and electrolytes and most of all, helps in the regulation of our body temperature. With that said, our skin is clearly overworked. The least we can do is protect it from further harm.

Aging is majorly caused by either of these two: normal physiological aging (no matter what we do, we will wrinkle in time) and UV exposure (accounts for 95% of the wrinkles that you might have now). The enemy that we have to combat is the UV exposure. How can we beat it?  Read more...

With the ubiquitous cosmetics designed for women, who says men dont need stuff like such? Covertly or not, men put some effort to make them look good. And staying young, too! As the common notion says, men become vainer as they get old. But a lot are hiding this need as this is not too manly for a man. However, the developments of this generation have helped lessen that masculinity notion.

In 2005, more than a million American men underwent skin treatments, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Adding to that is the 44% upsurge in the slightly invasive procedures in which men underwent from 2000 to 2005. Vanity has indeed taken its strike to more men.

But what are the exact things men should do and improve for the vanity of looking young to take effect?

Age-defying Skin Treatments

While diet can be very helpful for men to look young and well-rested, men can also do this by some skin treatments that do not require a needle and a knife.  Read more...

If you’re looking to prevent premature aging and look your absolute best, these skin care tips are for you. Of course, wrinkles are an inevitable part of getting older, but there are a few steps you can take to stay looking young as long as possible.

Keeping a healthy lifestyle is the best thing you can do for your skin. It starts with diet and nutrition as this is what fuels your body and provides nutrients to make essential oils and collagen for the skin. Fruits and vegetables are especially good for your body and skin because they contain fiber and antioxidants. Eat more healthy oils like olive oil and whole grains to provide nutrition without excess calories.

In addition to maintaining a proper food intake, drinking enough water is one of the most important skin care tips. Water will keep the skin moist and supply, while also clearing out toxins. Dry skin is extremely susceptible to wrinkles and fine lines, so you want to always stay hydrated. The standard recommendation is to drink six to eight glasses of water each day, whether or not you are trying to lose weight.  Read more...

We dont actually have to mention, but for many, staying young is almost an obsession. But who really cares? Well, these are the avenues where your obsession can best benefit you. And youd really love to care.

First Stop: Hair Salon

Alright, we all know that this establishment is a must-stop to look younger. But if it happens that you will go here, would you know what to instruct the stylist for you to look young?

Tell your favorite hair artist to give you a shorter do. A long hair for an experienced lady would more or less make her look like a witch. Trimming on the shoulder or shorter boosts up ones vitality. This takes the attention away from a sagging face. You may also have some bangs and layers. Bangs brushed on the side softens the wrinkles on the forehead. Layers make hair more lively and youthful.  Read more...

Wondering about all natural skin care products? There are a lot of choices on the market today and it can be confusing when you are trying to decide which products are best for you. Here are a few things to consider before shopping for a new skin care program.

Environmental pollution and sun exposure can increase production of free radicals in the body. The body already produces these skin-damaging free radicals on a continual basis during the process of metabolism. Free radicals can cause mutations in the skin cells that may lead to cancer or, at the very least, premature wrinkles. All good skin care programs should include some form of sun protection.

Most all natural skin care products do contain sunscreen, so check the label for the level of SPF protection. Be careful if you are using sunblock every time you are in the sun because this may cause a vitamin D deficiency. To be safe, supplement your nutritional intake with a daily multivitamin. Lack of vitamin D has been connected to osteoporosis, so older women should be extra careful to replace their vitamin intake.  Read more...