Any time we hear the words “all natural,” we know that it is good for us. However, we also realize that there must be a reason why some of the same types of products do not contain all natural ingredients. Is it because they are better or because they are more cost-effective for the manufacturer to make? We have to take into consideration that there was a time in which our ancestors only had natural means to treat and prevent disease. Somewhere along the line we found more cost-effective ways to make products by creating man-made chemicals that got the job done. This happened with sunscreen lotion.

People love to sunbathe and with the continuing reports that the sun is becoming more and more dangerous, the sunscreen lotion market is booming. More people are protecting their children and themselves from the harmful rays that can cause skin cancer. No one wants to think of their children having to contend with such an awful disease, no matter how minor it may be if caught on time. But we love to go to the beach and we love to swim in our pools, so we have to take care of our skin in the process.

The truth is that you shouldn’t really have any more than 15 minutes of sun exposure each day in order to receive the necessary amount of Vitamin D. Any more than 15 minutes is what causes damage, so you need to use a sunscreen lotion. A good organic sunscreen lotion is going to be just as effective as a regular sunscreen lotion and without any of the man-made ingredients. All of the lotion ingredients are all natural, which means they are derived from plants. In other words, the lotion ingredients are extracted from the wonders of nature that actually work.

The main difference between an organic sunblock lotion and a regular sunblock lotion aside from their ingredients is that organic sunblock lotion will break down over time. However, if used consistently over the summer months, that shouldn’t matter because you’ll easily be able to use a majority of what is in the bottle if not all of it. However, when you look at the bottle of a regular sunscreen lotion, you will notice that there are both organic and inorganic ingredients, so eventually regular sunscreen lotion has to be disposed of anyway.

So if you want to spend more than 15 minutes in the sun, be sure to invest in a good organic sunscreen lotion and apply it to all skin areas that are exposed to the sunlight. That way, you can still receive the benefits of the sun while protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays. You are also not putting inorganic ingredients on your skin. Everything that is inside a bottle of organic sunscreen lotion is just as natural as you are.

While fatigue is commonly assumed to be the cause of dark under eye circles – surprisingly the correct culprit is nasal congestion. According to medical experts, when your nose is congested, veins that normally drain from your eyes into your nose become widened (dilated) and darker. Dark circles can also result from chronic skin conditions such as eczema or be hereditary.

Another cause of under eye circles is due to swelling while you sleep. When you lie down, gravity allows fluid to collect in your lower eyelids. Sometimes, this swelling may create the appearance of shadows below your eyes.

Over the counter products like natural lotion may help diminish dark circles under eyes. Look for skin lotion and cremes that contain vitamin C or K, alpha hydroxy acid or kinetin. If you suffer from chronic or severe under eye circles medical treatment may be required. Treatment will include examining the underlying causes and may involve bleaching agents or laser therapy.

Natural eye creams and lotions may include exotic herbs, plants, minerals and a variety of vitamins such as vitamins A and E to help protect, hydrate, repair and dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Under eye cream should deliver a boost of moisture to the delicate skin around the eyes and prevent future wrinkles or “crows feet”

Other lotion ingredients are equally cutting-edge. Some new eye creams contain peptides, which are basically complex molecules created in the laboratory. They are synthetic analogues of collagen, which, unlike the large collagen molecule itself, are small enough to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin. Once there, peptides stimulate the body to create new collagen and accelerate skin repair.

Whatever your choice, the options today are far-reaching. If using only natural, sustainable lotion products is important to you, try to find under eye cream comprised of herbal extracts, vitamins or other organic natural ingredients to reduce those wrinkles and remove the dark circles. Eye cream packed with antioxidants like vitamin E to fight skin-damaging free radicals and Vitamin A to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Unique herbal extracts help reduce the appearance of dark circles and reduce puffiness.

Overall Things You’ll Need
Hand or Wash Towels
Mild Facial Cleansers
Oil-free Facial Cleansers
Oil-free Moisturizers

Step One
Wash your face with a skin cleanser, then rinse and pat dry.

Step Two
Wait one hour.

Step Three
Note whether your skin feels “tight.”

Step Four
Press a separate piece of tissue onto each area of your face: chin, center of cheeks, outer cheeks, center of forehead, outer forehead and nose.

Step Five
Examine each tissue and look for oily residue or flaky skin residue.

Step Six
Interpret the results. Oil on each tissue indicates an oily skin type, while oil on only some tissues (specifically those on the T-zone, which is the center of forehead, nose, chin and center of cheeks) indicates a combination skin type. Flaky skin residue on all tissues – without oily residue – or a tight feeling in the skin indicates a dry skin type. No oil and no flaky residue on any parts of the tissue indicates a normal skin type.

Tips & Warnings
Pore size is another indication of skin type; small pores generally indicate dry skin, while large pores mean oily skin. Remember that there are many factors that affect your skin type, such as weather, emotions, hormones and stress, and this will cause your skin type to be in a constant state of fluctuation.

“Combination skin” products that claim to serve different functions on different parts of the face are suspicious. You’re better off using different lotion products on different areas.

Normal Skin
You have many mask options if your skin is normal. That is, if dryness or breakouts are of no real concern for you. You can use one that will give you radiance, one for deep cleaning or a gentle one for sensitive skin. Regardless of how “normal” your skin may be; you should see overall benefits of radiance and balance from using a weekly mask.

Oily or Combination Skin
Those with oily or combination skin do best with regular use of a clay mask. Clay is great for removing excess oil, deep cleaning your pores and preventing and clearing up blackheads. Natural clay is a great detoxifying treatment for your face without leaving your skin extra dry. Most clay masks work well with sensitive skin.

Dry Skin
Dry skin conditions require a mask for a very different reason than those with oily skin. You are not looking to reduce oil, but add moisture. Using a moisture mask will rejuvenate and rehydrate your skin. Many masks for dry skin require you leave them on longer than other masks for maximum effect. You leave the mask on your skin for up to 10 minute and then moisturize with a natural lotion slightly with it before wiping off the excess. You will notice smoother, softer skin immediately.

Dull Skin
For a boost of radiance, try an exfoliating mask, but be careful to make sure the grain is not too coarse or you could cause skin tissue damage. You could try a peel off mask, which are actually kind of fun – like peeling off glue – this will help exfoliate your skin by removing the dead layers of cells, but again, be careful not to pull too harshly and tear tissue. Many exfoliating masks use fruit extracts such as papaya or pumpkin to naturally exfoliate. These tend to have a slight acidic range to them and may sting your skin just a little when you apply them. The scents are always quite pleasing though. You should see noticeable results within a few applications.

Mature Skin
To firm up wrinkled or sagging skin on the face and neck, look for moisturizing masks meant for dry skin or a specified “firming” mask. A firming mask will boost your skins moisture content, which will reduce fine lines caused by dehydration. This will give the appearance of a more youthful, firmer face. Massage onto your face and leave for about 10 minutes before you rinse off.

The “tissue test” can help you determine if you have combination skin. Take a tissue and hold/press it against your face. If there’s oil on the tissue where it touched your T-zone, but no oil where the tissue touched your cheeks, you most likely have combination skin.

Causes
Many factors can cause combination skin, including hormones, age, genetics, the way in which lipids are organized in our skin and even the weather. Hormonal changes can lead to changes in skin’s oiliness or dryness. Teens and young adults tend to have oilier skin, especially in the T-zone, but with age, hormones change and the oil production may decrease (but unfortunately, acne is still an issue for many adults). Also, hormones change due to menstruation and the birth control pill, which can make skin oilier in certain areas. Lipids also play a role in combination skin: These proteins affect skin’s softness and feel. When lipids aren’t evenly spread throughout the skin, certain areas will feel drier and rougher, while other areas may feel soft but oily or greasy. The organization of lipids in skin is due to genetics and hormones. Finally, weather can exacerbate combination skin. Dry cold weather can cause skin to dry out and become irritated. Conversely, hot humid weather can increase oil production. This can affect your T-zone as well as your cheeks.

Care Plan
Combination skin requires special care to balance the oily and dry areas of the face. Proper cleansing, treatment, moisturizing with natural lotion and sun protection like organic sunscreen lotion are all necessary.
• Natural Cleansing: People with combination skin often have difficulty finding a natural cleanser that works for their unique skin needs. Formulas designed for oily skin may leave combination skin too dry, especially in the cheeks, while formulas designed for dry skin may leave combination skin greasy, especially in the T-zone. It’s best to avoid products that are either too drying or too rich. Instead, use a foaming or gel cleanser to get rid of dirt and oil without causing irritation or dryness. A natural cleanser to try is one that removes excess oil and impurities while still being gentle and not drying out skin.
You should also exfoliate your skin regularly to remove dry, dead, rough skin cells. These cells may be particularly prominent on your cheeks. They can flake off and block pores, causing blemishes and blackheads. Try a product that might include papaya and pineapple juice, olive derivatives and Ginkgo Bilbao.
• Lotion Treatments: Lotion Treatment products are another important skincare component, helping to balance your skin. One lotion treatment to try is one which moisturizes dry areas but prevents excess oil, especially in the T-zone. This product also contains antioxidants to prevent aging. Another type of treatment is a mask, and you’ll find an array of products for every skin type. Some experts advise using a hydrating/moisturizing mask on dry areas (cheeks) and a deep-cleaning clay mask on oily areas (T-zone). While using two different masks is certainly an option, you can also use a mask specifically designed for combination skin. If you suffer from breakouts, which may occur around the T-zone, use acne treatment products with salicylic acid. For problem skin, try a blemish serum or a spot treatment.
• Moisturize: Combination skin needs balance, and part of that balance means moisturizing your skin with natural lotion. Lotion moisturizing is especially important for drier areas of the face, but your entire face needs moisture. Some experts suggest using separate lotion moisturizers – a lightweight one for the T-zone and a deeper one for cheeks. You may choose to use separate moisturizers, but you can also use a single moisturizer designed for combination skin. Try a lotion which balances skin with witch hazel and aloe extract to help skin stay soft. Pay careful attention to dry areas, as they may require more frequent moisturizing than oily areas. Generally, experts recommend moisturizing dry areas twice a day and lotion moisturizing oily areas once a day. Keep in mind that your individual skin has unique needs, so you might want to adjust your lotion moisturizer – how often you use it, where you need it and how much you need.
• Sun Protection: Organic Sunscreen Lotion – Like all other skin types, combination skin needs protection from the sun. UVA and UVB rays can damage skin, so use oil-free sunblock lotion all over your face daily (and on any other exposed areas). Try an oil-free sun lotion or sunblock lotion because it protects your skin from UV rays and won’t make skin greasy.

Natural Treatments
Natural treatments such as aromatherapy oils, home-made exfoliants and masks may help treat your combination skin. For example, try mixing essential oils like chamomile, lavender and ylang ylang (just a few drops) together with your oil-free moisturizer. These ingredients have antibacterial properties and may help to rid skin of dirt or bacteria. However, if your skin is sensitive or easily irritated, or if you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t use these essential oils.

Exfoliating treatments can be made at home by mixing and grinding nuts, seeds or oatmeal along with water. These will slough off dead, dry skin cells – especially common around the cheeks. You can add citrus peels from fruit – like orange or grapefruit – to the mix and apply it to the oily T-zone.

To make a mask for dry areas, use ingredients like yogurt, mashed bananas or avocados to moisturize. On oilier areas, try pureed strawberries and apples.

Oil Production
The skin has many oil (sebaceous) glands, which secrete oil that contains wax esters, triglycerides, and squalene. These fats (or lipids) form a film that helps keep moisture in the skin. While increased sebum production results in oily skin, the opposite is not always the case, as dry skin can also arise from an impaired skin barrier. Oil production can be affected by diet, stress, and hormones-as well as genetics. In a study of twenty pairs each of identical and nonidentical same-sex twins, identical twins had virtually identical amounts of oil production, while the nonidentical twins had significantly different amounts.

Dryness and oiliness depend primarily on the condition of the skin barrier, the outer layer of skin which helps the skin retain moisture, and the oil (sebum) production itself. The barrier is like a brick wall, with each brick (or cell) held in place by mortar (fats called lipids). Harmful ingredients, cold, and dry weather can wear down these fats, eroding the mortar so that the “bricks” are not secured in their proper place. A variety of outside agents, including detergents, acetone, chlorine and other chemicals, and even prolonged water immersion can harm the barrier, or the barrier may be deficient for genetic reasons.

The barrier’s main components are ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol, all different kinds of lipids. These must be present in the right proportion to keep the skin watertight. An impaired barrier will tend toward both dryness and sensitivity. Dryness results when skin moisture evaporates. Sensitivity results when a deficient barrier permits the entry of outside irritants.
Repairing the skin barrier with the right skin care products like natural lotion will help treat a variety of skin conditions. Incorporating key dietary nutrients, such as essential fatty acids and cholesterol, provides the necessary building blocks. Nutrient deficiencies can weaken your skin’s ability to repair and rebuild, which is why people who take cholesterol-lowering drugs often have dry skin.

Try to understand your skin and use the right natural skincare product like body lotion, natural body wash, and herbal facial masks.

• Mineral Oil. This oil has been used in literally hundreds of products. Mineral oil may also go by the alternative names liquid paraffin, paraffin wax and petrolatum on the product label. Mineral oil is used pervasively in skin care products as a moisturizing agent due to its low cost. Mineral oil, once applied, is meant to ‘trap’ moisture in the skin, but once applied, actually prevents the skin from “breathing.” As such, it clogs pores, interferes with your skin’s natural ability to eliminate toxins, and can lead to acne flare ups. Also, it is irritating to the skin and if used for any length of time, your skin can become dependent on it, causing chapping and dryness. Lastly, it can lead to premature aging of the skin.

• Dioxane: (a synthetic derivative of coconut). This substance is widely used in skincare products. It often contains high concentrations of 1,4-dioxane, which is readily absorbed through the skin. In the State of California, 1,4-dioxane has been reported as “known to cause cancer.”

• Fragrances: No one wants to smell bad, but if you want to be on the safe side, you are better off choosing an organic essential oil or diluted cologne, hydrosol or even a bodyspray. Your skin care products typically contain chemically engineered fragrances to mask the unpleasant “chemical odor” of the foundational product itself. Many of these masking fragrances are produced from ingredients that are known to be toxic or carcinogenic.

• Parabens: methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl paraben. Many skin care products (and moisturizing products) will use parabens as a preservative so their products have a long shelf life. The reason is purely economical. However, studies suggest that they may cause cancer and interfere with the body’s endocrine system, as well as causing allergic reactions and skin rashes.

• Alcohols: ethanol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and SD alcohol. Not all alcohols have the same properties, but these, which are commonly found in skin care products, are very drying and irritating for the skin. Alcohols such as these strip away the skin’s natural acid mantle, making you more vulnerable to bacteria, molds and viruses. Its important to note some alcohols are used beneficially in acne treatments.

Try to use natural lotion as a regular skincare practice for healthy skin.