How to Choose Your Sunscreen →
SOURCE: This informative video has been sourced from the Tedtalk YouTube account - Presented by Mary Poffenroth
What's Clay got to do with it
Destiny connect.com article by Dr. Nomphelo Gantsho on the low-down on why you should pop on a face mask tonight:
Link: http://www.destinyconnect.com/2017/03/17/whats-clay-got/
A-Z Skin Conditions & Topics →
The skin is extraordinary. Spanning an area of up to two metres squared. Our skin is the largest organ in the body. Not only does it serve to protect its us and our vital and precious organs, it is also a living organism of our body and it is responsive to its surrounding environment.
There are numerous conditions that may arise from the skin and the link below has been added to the website to give some details on the long list of conditions and topics related to the skin. You may click on this link for further details: A-Z Skin Conditions
The source of the A-Z Skin Condition Link is the Australasian College of Dermatologists website (www.dermcoll.edu.au)
Kindly Remember: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS LINKED WEBSITE IS FOR GENERAL HEALTH INFORMATION PURPOSE ONLY, AND IT IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT BY A QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
MAKE WINTER WORK FOR YOUR SKIN →
My contribution Published in the Destiny, True Love and Bona Magazine for May 2015, in their Clicks Be Beautiful Autumn / Winter Supplement. (Click on the title above to see the publication)
Radio Tygerberg Interview extract with Dr. Nomphelo Gantsho
The audio extract of Dr. Nomphelo Gantsho's interview with Radio Tygerberg 104 FM Denise Williams, talking about dermatological matters (27 August 2014 at 20H15 for 0:37:42 min).
TIPS ON DRY WINTER SKIN
Dry skin is common during the winter and can lead to flaking, itching, cracking and even bleeding. But you can prevent and treat dry skin.
1. Skin is scaly:
One culprit: a steamy hot shower.
It's tempting, especially in cold weather, to take long, hot showers. But being in the water for a long time and using hot water can be extremely drying to the skin. Hot water drains skin's moisture barrier. Keep your baths and showers short and make sure you use warm, not hot, water.
2. Itching:
Switching to a mild cleanser can also help reduce itching. Be sure to gently pat the skin dry after your bath or shower, as rubbing the skin can be irritating.
Applying moisturizer after getting out of the bath or shower is recommended. Ointments and creams tend to be more effective than lotions. Dab on a cream with ceramides, hydrating lipids that dry air depletes,
3. Sensitive skin:
Wear soft fabrics that breathe, such as 100 % cotton. With wool or other rough fabrics, wear a soft fabric underneath.
Be sure to check the ingredients in skin-care products, because deodorant soaps, alcohol-based toners and products that contain fragrance can irritate dry, sensitive skin.
4. Hands feel like sandpaper:
Skin on hands has few oil glands, so there's less natural defence against cold, dry air.
It's a good idea to apply hand cream after each hand-washing. If the skin on your hands needs more help, dab petroleum jelly on them before bed. If your hands are frequently immersed in water, wear waterproof gloves.
If these measures don't relieve your dry skin, you may require a prescription ointment or cream. Dry skin can be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as eczema. Go and see your dermatologist.
SKIN TYPES AND TREATMENTS
There are four general skin types: dry, oily, normal and combination. In addition, it is possible to have sensitive skin along with one of the four general types.
Below are the tips on how to treat your skin type?
Dry Skin:
If your skin has a strong tendency toward dehydration, lacks oil, and has few breakouts if any at all, it is considered dry. In more extreme cases, dry skin lacks elasticity and can be extremely sensitive to the sun, wind, and cold temperatures. Wash your face once a day with a rich, creamy cleanser and warm water.
Treatment: Rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry. Use toner to help with that tight and flaky feeling of dehydration. Avoid toners and makeup that contain alcohol as alcohol-based products have a drying effect on skin. Use a cream-based lotion to hydrate your skin and keep it rejuvenated.
Oily Skin:
If your skin is oily, it usually has a lot of shine to it very soon after cleansing and the pores are generally slightly enlarged. It is more prone to pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads than other skin types and is coarser in texture.
Treatment: Your skin tends to attract more dirt than dry skin, so wash your face twice a day with a gentle non-foaming cleanser and warm water. Rinse with warm water. Use an alcohol-free, hydrating toner to help remove additional residue. Oil blotting sheets through out the day can help control shine, and it takes as little as 3 minutes after lunch. Although your skin's oily, you still must moisturize it with a light moisturizer daily, or your skin will become dry underneath and overcompensate by producing more oil.
Normal Skin:
Some consider normal skin to be combination skin, but it is not. If your skin is oily in the "T zone" and your nose while dry and taut on the cheeks, it is considered normal. It's also considered normal if it changes with seasons (dryer in winter, oilier in summer). Normal skins can also be 'Normal-To's' as in normal to oily or normal to dry.
Treatment: Wash your face with cleansers that are designed for your normal/normal-to skin type. Wipe an alcohol free, hydrating toner all over the face. Apply moisturizer more frequently to dry skin.
Combination Skin:
Combination skin is comprised of two extreme skin types on one face. These situations occur when there is acne and a lot of oil in one area when the rest of the skin is generally dry (no oil).
Two common examples are dry skin with papular and pustular acne on the cheeks or a normal skin with inflamed papular and pustular acne in the chin and mouth area.
Treatment: Tend to each area appropriately as described above. If the acne is severe, consult a dermatologist or esthetician.
Sensitive Skin:
Please note that you may have sensitive skin and normal, oily, or dry. If your skin has allergic reactions to beauty products and is usually sensitive to the sun, wind, and cold weather, it is sensitive. Sensitivity can show up in rash, redness, inflammation, acne, and dilated capillaries.
Treatment: Look for cleansers, toners, makeup, and moisturizers that are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Cleanse, tone and moisturize with gentle products everyday. The idea for your skin is to always choose products with a soothing benefit. Some common ingredients to look for are: chamomile, azulene, bisabolol, allantoin, lavender, camphor, calamine, rosemary, thyme, aloe vera, coconut oil etc.
How to Look After Your Skin and Hair in Winter
Cold winter air can create havoc for your poor skin and hair. Here are some tips for looking after yourself during the coldest season of the year. This will not only keep you looking good now, but will prevent your skin from ageing prematurely.
1. Wrap up from head to toe.
Invest in a warm pair of gloves to protect your hands and prevent the skin on them from becoming dry and flaky. Don't forget to wear a hat as they help protect your hair from drying out and they keep your head nice and warm. Too much exposure to cold, harsh weather can leave hair brittle and dry making it more susceptible to damage.
2. At home, keep warm but not hot.
If the temperature inside is much hotter than outside it can irritate your skin and can even cause broken capillaries from the temperature shock when you get home or when you go out. While walking around at home wear slippers or warm socks to prevent getting cold feet which can cause chilblains, which cause your toes to swell, the skin to become sore and sometimes causes permanent disfigurement.
3. Your skin care routine should be adjusted.
Skin becomes drier in cold weather, especially if it's windy, because the moisture off the skin is evaporated more quickly by the wind, and the skin doesn't produce as much oil. Try using a slightly heavier moisturizer than you use in the summer, although still make sure that it's suitable for your skin type. Make sure you moisturize every morning, especially if you are going outside, to prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky. Then at night, before going to bed, wash your face to remove make up and pollutants which could irritate your skin, and apply moisturizer to treat your skin while you sleep. A couple of times a week you should use a gentle exfoliater to scrub away dry skin which can become an issue in cold weather.
Tip: MOISTURIZE WITH THE BATHROOM DOOR CLOSED. It maintains the humidity. "Any humectants in your cream can help pull that moisture into your skin".
4. Prevent sun damage.
Sunscreen is the real fountain of youth. Get into the habit of applying sunscreen or a lotion with minimum SPF 15 (for dark skin) to 30 (for fair skin) protection daily. Remember that the sun's rays can still be damaging in winter months as it reflects off snow. If you don't like taking the time to put on both moisturizer and sunscreen, buy a moisturizer with sunscreen.
5. Give your lips extra attention to avoid them becoming chapped and splitting.
Apply a moisturizing lip balm when you are doing the rest of your skin care, make it part of your routine. As well as this, before you go outside apply some Vaseline/petroleum jelly to your lips as this creates a protective barrier between the cold air and your lips, locking in moisture (remember that Vaseline isn't actually moisturizing, it's only protective, so use another lip balm along side it).