Like many of the health care products available at drugstores and supermarkets today, the sheer number of skin care lotions, wipes, creams and the like can make selection a lengthy, difficult, sometimes overwhelming process. It’s actually a known fact of psychology that the more options we are presented with the harder it is to make a decision. Therefore, it is helpful to arm yourself with the knowledge of exactly what you need, why you need, and in what quantity prior to approaching the task. This article outlines a handful of specific ingredients to look care in your next skin care product or products as well as exploring the scientific basis for the value of each one. Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Showing up in skin care goods since as early as the 1980s, this is a chemical exfoliant design to peel off the surface layer of dead skin cells and expose the new, healthy skin hidden beneath. This is an excellent choice for obliterating fine wrinkles and lines, and freshening up your skin tone overall. Stimulating cell growth and collagen production is another beneficial effect of hydroxides. As the name implies, AHA is a form of acid, so this is pretty powerful stuff. It can be used in a range of different concentrations depending on where you get it and who is applying it. Over-the-counter varieties utilize glycolic acid and dilute it in a solution that contains as much as 10 percent. A licensed cosmetologist or other beautician can use products with up to 30 percent AHA, which is strong enough to be comparable to microdermabrasion. And lastly, a dermatologist can use anywhere from a 50 to 70 percent concentration, but this is really only for extreme cases since it results in pain, redness and oozing for up to a month. Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) With a common name of salicylic acid, this is another typical kind of exfoliant. The difference from the previous chemical is that BHA is oil-based, whereas AHA is water-based. This oleaginous property makes it superior at penetrating and unblocking the white and blackheads inside of clogged pores. Because of this it is the ideal choice for oily or acne-prone skin, and most products targeting that type of skin contain this ingredient. Alpha-Lipoic Acid: ALA just about does it all. Serving the dual function of acid and antioxidant (meaning it helps prevent cell damage via oxidation) it also acts as an anti-inflammatory (seen as products that are advertised to “reduce the appearance of red, blotchy skin”) and is useful for removing several toxic metals from the body. Dimethylaminoethanol Not as important for general skin care, DMAE is a topical agent that stabilizes the cell-membrane and produces a firming affect on the skin. This is less beneficial for young persons but an absolute god-send for people getting on in age. Vitamin A (tretinoin) We all know the importance of vitamins in maintaining health, and the same is true for your skin. Vitamin A pretty much stimulates everything that has to do with skin cell regrowth, synthesis and protection. It stops enzymes from breaking down skin-firming collagen and elastin, a process which becomes more problematic with age. Research has provided solid proof that tretinoin reduces skin roughness and fine wrinkles, stimulates collagen production, as well as several other benefits. A common acne-treatment product, Retin-A, is a very widely recognized form of tretinoin. It is, however, prescription only. Vitamin C Another highly beneficial ingredient with wide application in the skin care field, it applies mostly to skin rejuvenation and reducing wrinkles. Like some of the other ingredients, it is also vital for collagen synthesis and is an antioxidant. Now that you’ve got a good grasp on the really important ingredients to look for you in your skin care products, finding the one perfectly suited to your individual needs should be a total breeze. To simplify the process even further, try looking up reviews of products that contain some or all of the specified ingredients prior to hitting your local drugstore.

The use of essential oils goes back as far as 6000 years when Egyptian physician, Imhotep, the then God of Medicine and Healing recommended fragrant oils for bathing and massaging. In 4,500 B.C. Egyptians used myrrh and cedar wood oils for a embalming their dead and 6,500 years later the preserved mummies prove the fact discovered by the modern researchers that the cedar wood contains natural fixative and strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties. From that time forward there has been numerous instances recorded on the use of essential oils in healing.

Today, research has proved the valuable and multiple uses of essential oils. Medical research in the recent years has uncovered that the odors we smell have a significant impact on the way we feel. Smells act directly on the brain like a drug according to scientific research. For instance smelling lavender increases alpha wave frequency in the back of the head and this state is associated with relaxation. Additionally, essential oils have now become popular in skin care products for their valuable properties.

Essential oils in the home:

Diffusers are generally made of ceramic or clay. The diffuser has a cave-like opening to house small candles are earthen oil lamps and the top is shaped like a curved cup to hold a little water and few drops of aroma oil. Fill the top cup with water, add a few drops of essential oils depending on the oil chosen then light the candle or the lamp. For the oil lamp to last for a long duration, add castor oil to the earthen lamp because castor oil burns for a very long time as compared to the other oils used to light a lamp. Once the water and oil heat up, evaporation takes place and the whole atmosphere is filled with the aromatic scent

Vaporization - Consider placing a few drops into a vaporizer to add a moist, subtle hint of fragrance to any room. You can also add a couple of drops to a pan of water to gently steam over the kitchen stove or radiator.

Potpourri as the name suggests is a mixture of dried flowers, herbs, and grass and seed pods. Add a few drops to the potpourri mixture and place in a closed container overnight. This allows the oils to absorb into the potpourri. The following morning open the box and the aroma will fill the room. A few drops of essential oil added to the potpourri and kept in a bowl would keep giving out aromatic fragrance for 4-6 weeks.

Room Sprays - As we become more environment conscious, aerosols are being discouraged due to their ozone depleting properties. Essential oils are natural and hence they could be used liberally to deodorize a room, freshen and scent your bathroom, living-room, bedroom, dining-room, office cabin, etc. Merely add 10-12 drops of aroma oil to half a liter of water and spray the mixture with the help of a spray bottle. Oils like lavender, lemon, peppermint, pine and rosemary are best for this application.

Essential oils in the home are the best air filtration system. They purify by removing metallic particles and toxins, increase atmospheric oxygen, increase ozone and negative ions which inhibit bacteria growth, destroys mold, cigarette and animal odors and finally they will fill the air with a fresh scent. On top of all of that, they are environmentally safe!

Below are the benefits from some of the more common essential oils and fragrance oils used in the home:

Chamomile offers a fruity, apple like fragrance which eases anxiety, tension, anger and fear and promotes relaxation, gives patience, peace minimizes worry.

Grapefruit is a sweet, sharp and refreshing scent which has an overall uplifting effect. It has a reputation for balancing manic depression.

Jasmine is a sweet, flowery-exotic and slightly heady scent which is calming to the nerves and warms emotions. Produces positive feelings of confidence

Lavender fights depression, promotes sleep, lowers blood pressure and has an overall calming effect.

Eucalyptus a clear and sharp scent which has a cooling effect on the emotions. Known to clear the head, help with concentration and strengthens the nervous system.

Please note that I have only listed the properties of these common essential oils and their effect on the mind, they also have therapeutic values to the body and to the skin. Spa treatments such as body wraps, facial steams and massages use essential oils for their therapeutic values and more and more skin care products are using wonderful essential oils such as jojoba oil, aloe Vera, neroli, and rose for example.

Essential oils are potent and care should be used when working with them. However, understanding the properties and the benefits that essential oils can bring to your home is well worth the learning experience.

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For easy exfoliates, facial masks, facial peels and spa treatments you can easily make at home, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

• Helps prevent breakouts, reducing the risk of acne scars
• Gentle dual exfoliator stimulates skin renewal
• Soothes and reduces overall skin redness
• Improves the appearance of scars
• Glass roll on .33 floz (10 ml)

Product Description
This organic essential oils composition has been carefully mixed in the correct proportion and diluted in a vegetal macadamia 100% organic nut oil to acquire the maximum strength to fight against the acne scars.

The basic oil used is macadamia nut oil, which contains more than 80% monounsatured fatty acid which can help reduce overall cholesterol levels. It possesses physical properties similar to human sebum and does not leave any trace of grease on the skin after… More >>

Acne Scar Treatment - Organic Essential Oils