The 4 Basic Step in Skincare Regime 

Feel beautiful and stay beautiful as always

Step 1: Cleansing

You can find a good cleanser at the drugstore. Avoid bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. According to Rona Berg, in her book, "Beauty," a French cosmetics executive once told her, "Soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down." I agree. Choose a creamy cleanser if you have dry skin or a clear cleanser if you have oily skin.

Be careful not to cleanse too often, you risk over-cleansing skin. You really only need to wash your face at night to remove makeup and sunscreen, which can clog pores. If you have dry skin, consider cold cream like Ponds, which many of use use nowadays. Simply apply cream, then wipe off, no water needed (if you have hard water, it can be especially harsh on skin). Most women prefer the water method: Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. Make sure to remove eye makeup with a proper makeup remover. The area around the eye is delicate so don't pull or rub too hard.

In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need (I find it's great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both can cause broken capillaries).

Step 2: Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. According to Berg, one of the reasons men's skin looks more youthful than women's is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave. 

Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion. We find exfoliating skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing year-round. Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good.

Retinoids (such as Retin-A or the more moisturizing Renova) also work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells while also generating collagen in the skin. "Collagen is the skin's structural fiber," dermatologist Dennis Gross said in O Magazine. "As we get older, it breaks down, creating lines and large pores." Skincare experts disagree on all sorts of things, but most of them consider retinoids to be a miracle skin saver. 

Step 3: Moisturize

A basic rule of beauty is that if you have dry skin, you should invest in a basic moisturizer. So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to over-moisturize -- this can clog pores.

Some beauty experts strongly recommend eye creams. Why? The skin around the eye contains no fatty tissue and is therefore very thin and susceptible to wrinkles. Special eye creams are formulated to "thicken" this area. Yet other experts claim your daily lotion works around the eyes just as well.

Step 4: Apply Sunscreen

The #1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF from your early years on even on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase two moisturizers: One for night and one for day that includes UV protection. Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 and can aggravate skin. 

When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains Mexoryl (found in my favorite sunscreen La-Roche Posay) or Helioplex, found in Neutrogena products. 

Source: http://beauty.about.com/od/skinflaws/a/basicskincare.htm

Mineral Oil or Coconut Oil for Hair?

Of all the curly hair secrets, oil application has to be the most tried and true. And, of all the oils, mineral and coconut oil have had the curly-haired community talking for years!

If you haven’t caught the detangling and frizz reducing fever that is natural oil, then not only are you missing out, but you have a tough choice to make!

Of course, by simply knowing the benefits of using mineral and coconut oil for hair care and which hair fix you are looking for, you can easily determine which oil is best for your specific head of hair. So, read on and try it out. We promise, you won’t regret it!

 

 

Are Natural Oils Safe For Hair?

First of all, we have to touch on the topic: are natural oils good for your hair? The truth is, scientists have continuously researched the notion that these oils are unsafe; however, there has not been any substantial proof to support the claim.

While these oils are often used in conjunction with petroleum, organic oils for your hair can be found easily. The organic versions of these oils contain no ingredients that would cause damage to your tresses. Because of this, you need not be fearful in using them for a home remedy to frizz or other hair damage.

As always, simply pay attention to the ingredients.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is a popular ingredient found in many personal care and cosmetic products. It is a great lubricant and is non-greasy. Because it is a lubricant, it is great for detangling curly hair.

It works by sitting on the surface of your hair, forming a barrier that protects the hair’s cuticle. This creates a smooth and fly-away free look.

Besides the frizz fighting agent, mineral oil has also been proven to decrease the damage done to hair from chemical relaxers, making it perfect for those transitioning their locks.

For curly hair, mineral oil is great for forming and defining your ringlets. The oil acts as a sort of magnet for hair, attracting the fibers to one another. Ultimately, this creates a more defined look.

If you choose to use mineral oil, be sure that you also use a sulfate-free shampoo, such as Carol’s Daughter Moisturizing Shampoo.

While mineral oil can offer a lot of great benefits from less frizz to more defined kinks, it can often create a bit of buildup. Therefore, it is important to wash your hair a couple times a week to rid the hair of oil and dirt buildup.

Coconut Oil

For thousands of years, coconut oil for hair care has been used all over the world. It is best known for providing both shine and strength to locks, making it extremely popular for curly hair care enthusiasts.

Coconut oil has proven to be a great leave-in conditioner for curly hair, especially thick tresses. Plus, the curlier your hair, the more oil you can use! This is due to the texture that super curly or kinky hair has. As naturally produced oils have a difficult time sliding down the curls, using an abundant amount of coconut oil will not make the hair look greasy.

Apply the oil to clean, dry hair by rubbing it into your scalp and ends. For those with dry-scalp, coconut oil can also hydrate your hair.

Ultimately, coconut oil prevents the lifting of the hair’s cuticle, which contributes to a frizzy look. A research study done in 1999 by the Nature Care Division of Marico Industries, found that coconut oil is the only oil known to “reduce the protein loss remarkably for both undamaged and damaged hair when used as a pre-wash and post-wash grooming product.”

In comparison to mineral oil, coconut oil is less effective at preventing frizz  and fly away hair. However, coconut oil for hair is great for someone who needs more absorption, while mineral oil is better for exterior or surface-level hair problems.

Whichever oil you choose, including coconut or mineral oil in your hair care routine will definitely spruce up your locks and keep them healthy, longer.

Source: http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/mineral-oil-or-coconut-oil-for-hair