Skin Care for Sunburn

Even though we all know just how important it is to use adequate sunscreen when we are out during the summer months or away on holiday, it is surprising how many of us still manage to get burnt. Sunburn is actually a radiation burn to your skin, so it really shouldn’t be taken as lightly as many people do. Using a good sun cream is the best way to prevent sunburn, but if you have managed to get burnt, then finding the right skin care cream to soothe your sunburn is important.

Your skin is going to be very red, hot and sore, so is going to need cooling, soothing and moisturising, preferably all in one go. Because your skin is incredibly sensitive when it is burnt, you will need to use a very gentle cream that is not going to aggravate your skin more or even worse cause an allergic reaction as your skin is so sensitive. Look for unperfumed creams or even better gels, as gel will be much more soothing on your skin and will soak in faster. One key ingredient to look for is Aloe Vera, as it is renowned for it’s soothing and healing properties, a tube of Aloe Vera gel kept in the fridge is the perfect thing for sunburn as it will be lovely and cool on your skin helping to take some of the heat out of your burn while it soothes and nourishes your skin.

If you have a large area of sunburn, then taking a very cool bath will help to take some of the heat out of your skin, and this can provide immense relief, just remember not to put any bubble bath in as this may irritate your skin making the situation worse. Once you have got over the initial heat and pain of your sunburn, which should generally be within 24-48 hours, then you will be able to apply a thicker, richer moisturiser to your skin to try and minimise any peeling. Unfortunately peeling is inevitable with most sunburns as the skin has been badly damaged so will dry and flake as part of the healing and regenerating process. However if you keep your skin well moisturised then the peeling won’t be so bad, and also won’t be so noticeable, nothing worse than realising you have large flakes of skin starting to peel off while you are out and about and not able to do anything about it.

Of course the best thing for your skin is to not over expose it to the sun so you can avoid sunburn altogether, but if you do find yourself suffering from sunburn, the best thing to do is to use a good skin care cream to give your skin the care it needs.

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Face Masks

No matter how much skin care cream you apply to your skin, if you are working with dead skin cells, or blocked pores then you are never going to achieve a glowing complexion. The key to getting the most out of your face cream is to make sure you are starting with a good, clean canvas for it to work it’s magic on, and a good way to do this is to do a weekly face mask.

Even if you have dry or sensitive skin, a weekly face pack will work wonders for you as there is a huge range of masks available for every skin type. Many people mistakenly believe that face masks, especially deep cleansing ones, are designed for skin that is oily or combination and prone to outbreaks, when in fact there are some superb masks that will moisturise and soothe even the driest of skins.  Facial masks can perform a whole range of wonders on your skin, so whether you want a good deep pore cleanse, a complexion brightener or pore tightener there is a mask for you.

Clay based masks are the best for people with oily or combination skin as they work deep down in your pores to remove excess oil and detoxify your skin. While they do a great job of cleansing and toning skin, most clay masks can be used on sensitive skin as clay does not tend to really dry the skin out. If you have sensitive skin but would still like to benefit from a deep cleanse for your skin, then using a clay mask either every two weeks or once a month, depending on how your skin reacts to it will keep your pores clean and your skin glowing.

If you suffer from dry skin, then you are going to want a very different kind of face mask as you will be looking to replace the moisture in your skin and help it to regenerate. Face packs for dry skin do sometimes contain clay or mud, but in different quantities that a deep cleansing mask. You are more likely to find they contain fruit extracts or vitamin complexes in order to give your skin a real boost. Face masks for dry skin will be much richer than other masks, and will also soak into the skin during the time they are left on, almost as if they are giving your skin a good long drink.

Then there are exfoliating masks, which will give your skin a glowing, radiant look and feel. If you have sensitive skin then you will need to be cautious of these types of masks as they can be to harsh for some. Exfoliating masks come either as a mask that you gently massage into your skin either when you first apply it, or before you rinse it, or as a peel off mask. The peel off variety is probably the best of the two types as it removes the top layer of dead skin cells, along with drawing out any blocked pores and impurities on the skins surface. Fruit extracts appear in exfoliating masks, sometimes in the form of AHA’s which is why sometimes they are too harsh for sensitive skin. As peel off face masks dry on your skin they can feel very tight, and peeling them off can feel very bizarre, almost as if you are peeling off an entire layer of skin. The end result is well worth it though as they leave your skin looking and feeling fresh, clean and glowing.

If you’re looking for a boost of radiance, exfoliating masks will certainly help you. Look for a peel off mask which will exfoliate your skin leaving it smooth and fresh. Many exfoliating masks use fruit extracts to naturally exfoliate and usually smell fantastic. When peeling off some exfoliating masks, your mind will wander back to peeling off Elmer’s glue in elementary school. But not all exfoliating mask are uncomfortable. You’ll be so glad you tried it when you see how happy you are with the noticeable results.

Whatever your skin type, there will be a face mask that will improve the look and feel of your skin no end, and by using a mask regularly you are giving your skin care cream the best surface to work on, allowing it to really penetrate your skin and give it the nourishment it needs.

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Body Lotion – The All Over Skin Care Cream

Most people associate skin care cream with face creams, as this is the most visible and exposed part of our bodies, meaning it needs the most attention. However, it is just as important to moisturise the rest of your body to keep your skin in top condition, looking and feeling silky soft and smooth. There are many different moisturisers on the market, so whether you need something for dry, flaky skin or for sensitive skin there is a body lotion out there for you. Here are just a few of the body lotions currently on the market.

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Vitamin Boost

vaseline sheer infusionThis body lotion is enriched with vitamins B5 and E to give your skin a boost, making it look and feel healthy at the first application. This lotion boasts what Vaseline call “Stratys-3 technology” which helps to infuse and suspend moisture throughout all the layers of your skin, so it not only gives the appearance of beautifully moisturised skin, it actually works to make sure that your skin is nourished from the top to the bottom, leaving your skin feeling supple and fresh. This lotion is perfect to use pre, during and post-holiday as using a moisturiser that penetrates deep into the lower levels of your skin, your tan will last longer as your skin won’t peel as quickly.

Dove Rich Body Nourishing Moisturiser

dove rich body nourish

This rich moisturiser comes with “24hr Nutri Serum” which gives you skin all day moisture. Ideal for dry skin that seems to drink any lotion that is applied straight away, this moisturiser will not only give you skin an initial boost, but will continue to nourish your skin throughout the day, getting deep into the skin, allowing it to absorb the essential nutrients contained in the moisturiser. It helps your skin hold onto this nourishment boost for 24 hours, so with regular use, dry skin will look and feel amazing.

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion

aveeno daily moisturiserAveeno use naturally active colloidal oatmeal in many of their products and this is no exception. This lovely rich daily moisturiser is clinically proven to help restore the skin’s natural barrier, so it not only moisturises, but helps rebuild your skin’s natural protection at the same time. In just 2 weeks even the driest skin will begin to look and feel softer and more supple, and continued use will make your skin feel as good as new. Even though it is incredibly rich, this moisturiser absorbs into the skin quickly and easily and leaves no greasy feeling behind, just soft, smooth, healthy skin.

Garnier Body Lotion Repair Milk

garnier body milkThis body lotion is perfect for using during the winter, when skin rarely sees the light of day and is subjected to hot baths and showers on a regular basis. It helps to repair the skin deep down, so it is left feeling soft and smooth. Of course this doesn’t have to just be used in winter, and if you have sunburn, or your skin is feeling tight from too much sun exposure, then smoothing this rich milk onto your skin will help soothe and replenish it’s natural moisture. Enriched with Vitamin E it protects you skin from free radicals, and smooths out even the roughest skin in just a few applications. Unlike many rich moisturisers, this repair milk is not greasy and will not leave your skin feeling clogged and heavy.

No matter what you want from a body lotion, the ranges are so extensive you are bound to find something that does the job. Making sure you keep your skin in good condition is so important, and while a moisturiser can really help keep your skin soft and smooth, don’t forget that you also need to hydrate you skin from the inside too by drinking lots of water. A skin care cream can only do so much for dry, dehydrated skin, so make sure you are giving your skin the best chance of looking and feeling great.

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