Alcohol Derivatives has been a despised ingredient in skin care products for many years. They are notorious for drying the skin and cause irritations. However, not all alcohols are the same. There are certain alcohols that are good for the skin and have potential benefits.

Why are Alcohols Bad for the Skin?

Alcohols, by themselves can have severe impact on the skin. They dilate the blood vessels and interfere with the body’s ability to process Vitamin A. The reduced absorption of Vitamin A accelerates the process of premature aging and causes wrinkles and fine lines to appear on the skin. Alcohol consumption also results in increased flushing of the skin, decreased absorption and efficacy of vitamin A, and increased toxicity of vitamin A and ß-carotene.

Moisturizers that contain a low molecular weight of alcohol fail to be effective because they quickly evaporate from the skin surface. Some of the alcohols that you should completely avoid are ethanol, ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and SD alcohol. Denatured or ‘SD’ signifies that the alcohols are processed so they cannot be ingested.

Alcohols That Are Good

There are several cosmetic alcohols that are actually very beneficial for the skin. Also known as fatty alcohols, they help skin care formulations to act as efficient skin care products.

Here are some beneficial alcohols:

Cetyl Alcohol

Extracted from coconut oil, it is an emollient that is included in skin care products to stabilize the formulations. It is a prime ingredient in moisturizers because it helps the moisturizer lock the moisture in the skin and form a protective barrier through which water cannot penetrate. Moreover, cetyl alcohol is also added to skin care products to alter their consistencies or to increase their foaming capacity. It is often included in baby lotions, hand creams, foundation, lipsticks, shampoos, mascara, deodorants, nail polish removers etc.



Stearyl Alcohol

Like the former, stearyl alcohol is also derived from coconut oil. Because it is an emollient as well as an emulsifier, it can be substituted for cetyl alcohol to firm skin care formulations. It is mostly found in creams, lubricants, depilatories and conditioners.

Cetearyl Alcohol

Cetearyl alcohol is an emulsifying wax that is used to soften thick formulas like skin ointments. Derived from natural oils and fats, it is very efficient in stabilizing skin care formulationsbecause it imparts an emollient feel to the skin. It can be used in water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions and anhydrous formulations. Cetearyl alcohol is widely used in cleansers, permanent hair color, face creams, eye make-up and sunblocks.

Lanolin Alcohol

Lanolin alcohol is derived from the sebaceous glands of sheep’s wool. This is the reason why it is often believed to be an allergen and sensitizing agent. However, it is an excellent emollient and its lower concentrations result in lower sensitivity rates. It is used extensively in moisturizers, sunscreen, shaving creams and cosmetics.

It is absolutely safe to use alcohols that are listed safe to be used. In fact, lower concentrations of low molecular weight alcohols do not irritate the skin or cause irritations. All you need to do is to control alcohol consumption, especially so if you are using skin care products that contain Vitamin A.

Some Product Suggestions

Remergent Complete Cleanser

It is a superb skin cleanser that also provides pH correction ingredients which condition the skin and helps it achieve optimal treatment results. It not only deep cleans the skin but also tones it all the time taking care not to cause any dryness. Some of its essential benefits are:

It cleans the skin and tones it thoroughly

It removes all the dirt, debris, residue particles and make-up elements

It prepares the skin and helps it absorb active ingredients more efficiently

It balances the natural properties of the skin

It suits all skin types

It can be safely used two times a day, both in the morning and at night without causing skin dryness.

The product contains a list of ingredients comprising of alcohols like Decyl Oleate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol to name a few.

Obagi ELASTIderm Night Eye Cream

It’s an essential night eye cream that not only improves the skin elasticity but also makes the skin firmer, radiant and youthful. It works at night when the body rests and repairs itself naturally. With regular use, it diminishes wrinkles, fine lines and crow’s feet and replenishes the collagen and elastin fibers within the skin.

Elastiderm Night Cream contains both Stearyl and Cetyl alcohol.



By: Marilynn Syrett

About the Author:

“Serious skin care” is about maintaining a healthy and glowing skin all through your life. As you grow older, your body’s natural skin care mechanisms become weaker. So, “serious skin care” is about responding to the changing needs of your skin. Thus, “serious skin care” is about constantly evaluating, analysing and changing your skin care routines. Your skin care routine should change based on the environmental conditions, your age and changes in your skin type.

Skin care is also about awareness. With the technological advancements and research, more and more facts are being brought to light everyday. Also, the composition and nature of skin care products seems to be changing with time. So trying out the new products is also a part of this care. However, serious skin care advises using a new product over a small patch of skin (not ****** skin) first, just to see how your skin reacts to it.

Serious skin care also means knowing how to use your products. Good practices include things like applying the moisturizers while the skin is damp, using upward strokes for better *********** of skin care products, removing the make up before going to bed, cleansing before moisturising or applying make up, using the correct amount of products, etc. Thus, increasing the effectiveness of your skin care products is another focus area of care.

Some precautions, like avoiding contact with detergents, are also part of serious skin care. Serious skin care means being gentle with your skin. Things like over-exfoliation, use of low quality products, and application of strong-chemical based products, are all harmful to your skin. Some people have a wrong notion about this. For them serious skin care is – using large quantities of products as often as possible. However, this really isn’t serious skin care (and that’s why awareness is so important).

Serious skin care is also about visiting your dermatologist for treatment of skin disorders. Ignoring the skin disorders can be fatal for your skin and might lead to permanent damage. So, if the things don’t improve with over the counter medication, you should immediately visit a dermatologist. Self-surgery e.g. squeezing of acne/pimples is a big no (it can lead to permanent damage of your skin).

So, seriously serious skin care is more about precautions and preventive measures (than treatment). It is about being proactive as well as reactive. In fact, we can say that it is about being proactive about the needs of your skin so that the need for being reactive is reduced to a minimum.



By: Marc Carson

About the Author:

Content for WordPress

More Health And Beauty Tips

Although putting on make up is more a women as world there are some men that also apply it though they are in the minority. Men that use make up will do so more in the interests of skin care than for looking good. Many women use make up on a daily basis and this can be damaging to your skin in the long term. This will be even more so if the make up you are using is of poor quality. Saving a dollar or two may certainly be detrimental to your skin in the long run. Make up should only be used on healthy skin which is really self explanatory. There are a variety of excellent quality make up products on the market that are formulated using special moisturizers and added herbs that double as skin care in the make up itself. If you use make up regularly rather aim for these.

When using make up there are a few pointers that will help take care of your skin so that you will look good and your skin will not take a beating.

Here is a guide on make up and make up products that should help you maintain a beautiful skin:

1. When you buy make up products check out the ingredients they have and always but them with your skin care in mind. After all you will be applying them to your face and body so if they double as skin care then you know they will be worthwhile. If you buy make up that causes any sort of skin reaction or you see that you are allergic to it avoid it forever. Check for make up that has excessive alcohol content in it as these are a no-no. They will dry out all the natural oils you have in your skin.

2. Only use make up before the expiry date. If you have old cosmetics and make up on your dressing table or in your bathroom cabinet that are passed their ‘best by’ date dispose of them safely. Always Keep track of the expiry date on your skin care and make up products. It has been discovered that certain vitamin C products can expire well before the specified date so be careful if you prefer using these.

3. Cleansing your skin before applying make up is important. The same goes when removing make up at the end of the day. Naturally you have heard that it is not good for your skin to sleep with your make up on, so take time using a good make up cleanser followed by a quality moisturizer before bedtime which should be a good habit. You make up should also be in good condition. Keep lids tightly shut after you have used them and keep your eye liner pencils sharp and your lash enhancers sealed.

4. When applying makeup then tie your hair up or cover it with a towel especially if you are applying foundation. Naturally your hair care follows on to skin care so keep your hair clean is also part of the make up routine.

5. Take care of your nails properly and use quality nail varnish that has an ingredient in theta keeps your nails from chipping and splitting. Nail care beauticians like to apply a standard color and add a lacquer finish for extra sheen and strength. When you remove nail polish, always be sure to apply a good skin care moisturizer especially to your cuticle area. There are superb cuticle oils that you can find at the make up counter which contain aloe Vera and other herbal ingredients that are great for your hands.

6. When you use eye shadows use a light color if you have deep set eyes and rather use a liquid eye shadow rather than the pencil variety. This helps against smudging as well. If you pluck your eye brows rub in some skin moisturizer straight afterwards. If you are applying make up the following day try and pluck your eye brows the night before. Sometimes the area tends to become tender and swell. Make up may then cause a reaction with the area.

7. For people that suffer from blemishes and acne care needs to be taken with the choice of foundation products and make ups. Man made chemical types of make up can scar and cause even more damage to your skin. A beautician or qualified dermatologist can give you the right advice. There are products available for sensitive skins which can be used. Do not try and squeeze pimples because this can spread infection as well as cause scarring. There are hundreds of very effective products available for teenage acne and for adults that will solve the problem properly without hurting your skin the way squeezing will.

8. Purchase proper make up removers and complementing pads to clean off make up. Work over your entire ****** area to make sure every bit of make up is removed and then following with a ****** wash.

9. When using deodorants apply them by spraying at least 20cm away from your actual skin unless they are roll on. Do not apply deodorants and perfumes to the same part of your body where they may clash.

10. Take time to apply make up properly when you put it on. A slapdash job will look slapdash and may also be uncomfortable as well. Many women keep a small touch up make up purse in their handbags to repair little smudges and runs. Also keep a make up remover in the same bag as well ready for emergencies.

Make up and skin care goes hand in hand. The better you take care of your skin the longer you will enjoy a smooth elastic and young looking skin. That’s the secret to the film stars beautiful looking skin. Ensure you follow a proper skin care routine without exception with the best products available on the market.

More Beauty Tips



By: Richard

About the Author:

Website content

Avene is a product line created for individuals with sensitive skin who may have recently had a skin condition become reactive. It seems recently there have been more cases of skin issues than ever before, often leaving those affected being unable to treat themselves or use most products as they react to the products they attempt to use. Avene was created for individuals who are unable to use other products, focusing specifically on their needs in order for them to be able to care for their skin without having to sacrifice the products which could help them.

Avene skin care products can help an individual with sensitive skin by offering a wide range of available products which target multiple needs. For instance, anti-aging from Avene can help an individual remove signs of aging without the harmful chemicals which are so widely used today. Sunscreens are also important as they help protect skin from the harmful effects of the sun, which can advance signs of aging and create brown sun spots on the skin. These spots even have the ability to become much worse as you age but they can be treated or you can simply be prepared and make sure that these spots are something that you will not get or have to deal with as a part of your life and your skin.

Avene also has a great cosmetic line focusing on different needs including cleansers, make-up concealers, moisturizers, and make-up. Each of these products is aimed at sensitive skin and the needs of the body by meeting what each person needs without adding harmful chemicals. Avene cosmetics are especially important not only due to the amount of allergies and reactions which are transpiring, but also because of helping the way that you feel about yourself and your skin. Emotions are important for your health and when you skin is healthy and taken care of it can help you too become healthier and have an easier time taking care of yourself and feeling great about the way that you look at all times.

When a person feels self conscious about their skin they may also feel self conscious while around other people. This can cause a great deal of embarrassment and can make a person feel uncomfortable having company, or even worse, have them decide that they would rather give up a part of their social life. Nothing should get to stand in your way and Avene tries to make sure that nothing can not even sensitive skin. This means that when you go shopping for you skin care products, rather then roaming down the isles trying to find something you skin might be able to handle or trying product after product that you have a reaction to you can simply look for Avene. Feel the comfort of Avene and feel comfortable knowing that it will work and that you will not have to miss any social engagement due to the way that you feel about your skin or how it looks at the time.



By: Skin West

About the Author:

Content

‘Serious skin care’ is about maintaining a healthy and glowing skin all through your life. As you grow older, your body’s natural skin care mechanisms become weaker. So, ‘serious skin care’ is about responding to the changing needs of your skin. Thus, ‘serious skin care’ is about constantly evaluating, analysing and changing your skin care routines. Your skin care routine should change based on the environmental conditions, your age and changes in your skin type.

‘Serious skin care’ is also about awareness. With the technological advancements and research, more and more facts are being brought to light everyday. Also, the composition and nature of skin care products seems to be changing with time. So trying out the new products is also a part of serious skin care. However, ‘serious skin care’ advises using a new product over a small patch of skin (not ****** skin) first, just to see how your skin reacts to it.

‘Serious skin care’ also means knowing how to use your skin care products. Good practices include things like applying the moisturizers while the skin is damp, using upward strokes for better *********** of skin care products, removing the make up before going to bed, cleansing before moisturising or applying make up, using the correct amount of skin care products, etc. Thus, increasing the effectiveness of your skin care products is another focus area of serious skin care.

Some precautions, like avoiding contact with detergents, are also part of serious skin care. ‘Serious skin care’ means being gentle with your skin. Things like over-exfoliation, use of low quality products, and application of strong-chemical based products, are all harmful to your skin. Some people have a wrong notion about serious skin care. For them serious skin care is – using large quantities of products as often as possible. However, this really isn’t serious skin care (and that’s why awareness is so important).

‘Serious skin care’ is also about visiting your dermatologist for treatment of skin disorders. Ignoring the skin disorders can be fatal for your skin and might lead to permanent damage. So, if the things don’t improve with over the counter medication, you should immediately visit a dermatologist. Self-surgery e.g. squeezing of acne/pimples is a big no (it can lead to permanent damage of your skin).

So, seriously serious skin care is more about precautions and preventive measures (than treatment). Serious skin care is about being proactive as well as reactive. In fact, we can say that ‘serious skin care’ is about being proactive about the needs of your skin so that the need for being reactive is reduced to a minimum.



By: Nicholas Tan

About the Author:

Content