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Skin Care for Sunburn

  • Posted on August 4, 2010 at 3:31 pm

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.

Coconut Oil Skin Care

  • Posted on July 7, 2010 at 9:11 pm

While having a skin care cream that you regularly use is a good idea, as is having a good skin care regime, there are times when you skin needs a little extra something. There are so many different factors that can wreak havoc with our skin that no matter how hard you try to keep your skin in top condition, sometimes it just isn’t enough. Whether you are suffering from sunburn, dry skin from central heating or air conditioning or perhaps your skin has lost it’s sparkle after a bout of illness, coconut oil is a true magic worker when it comes to giving your skin that little something extra to help it on it’s road to recovery.

The problem with most skin care creams is that they consist mainly of water. This makes them easily absorbed into the skin, and will give an almost instant plumping effect as the water engorges the skin cells, making it look and feel smoother and healthier. However, once the water evaporates, this effect is lost and your skin returns to it’s original state, which is why most creams recommend you apply them at least twice a day. Even when products contain some form of oil, it is normally a refined oil which will have lost nearly all of it’s protective anti-oxidants which are so beneficial to skin. We all know that when you are looking for a skin cream, you want something that is going to not only moisturise your skin but also protect it and promote younger, healthier skin, and coconut oil ticks all of these boxes. Pure virgin coconut oil inhibits the formation of free-radicals and offers protection against them. It can also help prevent the development of liver spots and other age and sun damage related blemishes. As an added bonus, coconut oil soaks into the skin and the connective tissues helping to keep them supple and strong, and by nourishing the deep tissue layers of the skin, wrinkles are less likely to develop.

While many people think that oil will be too heavy for their skin, coconut oil soaks into the skin quickly and easily and does not leave a greasy feel or look behind like some skin oils do. It can be used on the most delicate, sensitive skin and can ease inflamed and irritated skin in a matter of days, making it perfect to use on skin that is suffering from over-exposure of any kind, whether to sun, snow or wind. It is also safe to use on broken skin, and can help heal wounds and rashes, and can also soothe the itching and discomfort cause by eczema. As an alternative to skin care cream, coconut oil is an excellent choice, and can be used by all the family for almost any skin complaint, safely and effectively every time.

Tinted Moisturisers – The Skin Care Cream Shortcut

  • Posted on June 14, 2010 at 8:37 pm

Our skin care regime changes with the seasons, and while it is important to always use a good skin care cream, when the days are hot and long, applying cream and then foundation feels wrong. This is where tinted moisturisers step in, and their increase in popularity is testament to the excellent inbetween they provide.

More often than not skin care shortcuts are only effective for a short space of time, and should only be used as a last resort but tinted moisturiser is the exception to this rule. Providing just the right amount of moisture to keep your skin soft and supple, while adding a lovely sheer base to your skin, and of course offering at least SPF 15, they are the perfect summer skin care cream.

Bobbi Brown SPF15 Tinted Moisturiser

Bobbi Brown Tinted MoisturiserThis is a lovely cream, and unlike some tinted moisturisers comes in a range of 8 different shades catering for even the palest of complexions. This is actually a bit heavier on the coverage than many moisturisers, but still feels light and fresh on your skin, so is perfect for those that need a little extra help with their complexion, or even as a summer evening foundation. It has a very slight hint of red pigmentation which gives skin a lovely summery glow without looking too sunkissed making it perfect for creating the illusion of spending the day on the beach when you have really been stuck indoors!

Nivea Visage Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Tinted Day Cream

Nivea Visage Tinted Day CreamNow Nivea have been making skincare products for longer than any of us care to admit remembering and this is another fantastic addition to their range. While this tinted day cream only comes in one shade, it is sheer enough to blend into even the fairest skins without leaving any telltale lines. The bonus factor with this is not only does it have an SPF15 but also co-enzyme Q10 which packs a fantastic anti-aging boost, meaning this not only a tinted moisturiser but also a very good skin cream. It has a soft, sheer finish and goes on smoothly, making it the perfect choice for anyone who can’t bring themselves to veer too far away from their regular skin care routine.

Tesco Skin Wisdom Visibly Radiant Tinted Moisturiser

tesco skin wisdomTesco’s Skin Wisdom range is one of the best supermarket skincare ranges around. With all the products created exclusively for Tesco by Bharti Vyas you will find some truly unique and really effective products here. Their tinted moisturiser is one of these and gives a lovely healthy glow to skin. It glides on smoothly and give a fantastically smooth coverage, and with the added benefit of Acerola Cherry and Vitamin C it also energises your skin. As with many tinted day creams there is only one shade available, and it may be a little too dark for very fair skin, but it does blend very well, and can even be mixed in with a touch of Skin Wisdom’s Oil Free Moisturiser to make it a bit more sheer.

When you are choosing a tinted moisturiser, it is always advisable to test the colour if you have particularly fair or pale skin, just as you would with a standard foundation, although you can dilute them with a bit of your regular skin care cream if you find a tinted cream you really like but is just a shade too dark.