Antioxidant is a popular term in all health care articles. We always encounter such a term whenever we read or browse health articles in the papers, books or magazines. Moreover, almost all advertisements and commercials of beauty and health products always mention antioxidants.

The question to ask ourselves to be able to understand the sudden hype about antioxidants is to know what it is and what can it do to our body.

Antioxidants are chemicals that prevent the oxidation of other chemicals. In biological systems, the normal processes of oxidation produce highly reactive free radicals that can readily react with and damage other molecules which may continue to damage even the body’s own cells. Antioxidants play the housekeeper’s role, “mopping up” free radicals before they get a chance to do harm in your body.

Although all the hype about antioxidants slowing down the signs of aging and promoting skin rejuvenation do not have a solid scientific basis, most skin experts are claiming that antioxidant vitamins and minerals can help in our overall well being by combating the free radicals in our body.

Here are several antioxidant nutrients which appear the most likely to produce benefits to your skin.

Vitamin A or Beta Carotene. It has been discovered that beta-carotene protects dark green, yellow and orange vegetables and fruits from solar radiation damage and it is thought that it plays a similar role in human body. Carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches and apricots are particularly rich sources of beta-carotene.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is a water-soluble compound that fulfills antioxidant role, among others, in living systems. Important sources include citrus fruits (like oranges, sweet lime etc.), green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, raw cabbage and tomatoes.

Vitamin E is a principal fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin in the body. It protects cellular membranes, lipoproteins and other “oily” structures. Skin is high in unsaturated fatty acids (”oily” molecules especially susceptible to free radical damage), and can benefit from vitamin E protection (both oral and topical). Sources include wheat germ, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and fish-liver oil.

Flavonoids are a diverse group of plant pigments with antioxidant properties that contain proanthocyanins and polyphenols that are good for the skin. These substances are responsible for color in many fruits, vegetables and flowers. In addition to providing color that attracts insects or animals, these pigments protect plants from environmental stress. In addition to being potent antioxidants, some flavonoids have antiallergic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activity. Over 4,000 flavonoids have been characterized and classified, but only a few have been researched.

Coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, cysteine and methionine are potent antioxidants.

Acne, most commonly known as pimples, is the bane of almost every face and the worst nightmare for those too unfortunate to suffer.

It is the most common skin disease today. In United States alone, nearly 60 million people are infected with acne, where 85 per cent of teenagers suffer from it.

Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders.

Contrary to the popular belief, acne is not just a teenager’s disease. It is a socially bane and can be upsetting and disfiguring in certain cases. It has a significant economic impact, as people spend a lot of money on non-prescription and prescription treatments and therapies.

Acne cases vary from mild to severely disfiguring. It ranges from comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) to nodules and cysts. Here are several acne terms that can help you better understand acne.

Comedo or Comedones are simply a plugged and enlarged hair follicle. When a comedo is open, it is usually called a blackhead. When it is closed or deep into the skin, it is usually called whitehead. The whitehead differs in color from the blackhead because the opening of the plugged sebaceous follicle to the skin’s surface is closed or very narrow, in contrast to the distended follicular opening of the blackhead. Neither blackheads nor whiteheads should be squeezed or picked open, unless extracted by a dermatologist under sterile conditions. Tissue injured by squeezing or picking can become infected by staphylococci, streptococci and other skin bacteria.

Papules are inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin and can be tender to the touch. A group of very small papules and microcomedones may be almost invisible but have a “sandpaper” feel to the touch. A papule is caused by localized cellular reaction to the process of acne.

Pustules are papules topped by pus-filled lesions that may be red at the base. A pustule that forms over a sebaceous follicle usually has a hair in the center. Acne pustules that heal without progressing to cystic form usually leave no scars.

Nodules are solid, dome-shaped or irregularly-shaped lesions. They are commonly characterized by inflammation, extend into deeper layers of the skin and may cause tissue destruction that results in scarring. A nodule may be very painful. Nodular acne is a severe form of acne that may not respond to therapies other than isotretinoin.

Cysts can appear similar to nodules but are pus-filled, very painful and can cause scarring. They are usually described as having a diameter of 5 mm or more.

In the tradition of the “fountain of youth,” and the more modern human growth hormones, another miracle cure for aging has been discovered. In this regard, we need to ask ourselves the big blunt question: “Why do we have to cure aging?” With the countless measures with which man has come up in the recent decades, one would think aging is some vile disease from which we have to protect ourselves. Indeed, upon reading about these anti-aging measures, I realized that through the years, man has steadily replaced the attitude of treating age as a source of wisdom, to treating it with discomfort and even fear. Of course, the flipside also offers some valid arguments. I mean, hey, who wouldn’t want to stay young and beautiful forever?

With man’s technological advancement, various cosmetic treatments have sprouted proclaiming to reverse the manifestations of aging. The most popular of these treatments are the surgical procedures. This latter method is probably the reason why Hollywood suddenly became replete with unrealistically beautiful people. Movies and television shows began to showcase a world of perfect, skinny, smooth-skinned “regular” people. The problem with this is the tiny fact that real “regular” people have to save years of paychecks in order to achieve such glorious transformations.

Because of surgery’s financial inaccessibility, new, more natural, and cheaper anti-aging measures have been developed. One such measure in anti-aging medicine’s vast collection is the Perricone System. This was instituted by Dr. Nicholas Perricone and contained in his book The Perricone Prescription. Basically, the Perricone program consists of a stringent dietary regimen that is guaranteed to remove the manifestations of aging, such as wrinkles, flabby body sections and sagging skin. According to the strict diet Dr. Perricone “recommended”, protein is the key ingredient in the body’s anti-aging arsenal. Protein, as we all know, is the source of our body’s cellular building blocks, which helps in the regeneration of damaged body tissues. Thus, it is easy to perceive its benefits to anti-aging.

The reason for the high-protein intake is the fact that all the hassles of aging are rooted to what Perricone calls “inflammation.” This phenomenon is brought by years of unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet, stress and artificial cosmetic treatments, and is actually the primary cause of undesirable aging. This implies, of course, that along with protein, a person under the Perricone regimen must also remove unhealthy habits, such as smoking, lethargy, alcohol and even the all-important coffee. I guess yuppies like me must now resort to other methods of inducing productivity in the wee hours of the morning.

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Women are not the only ones who have problems in maintaining the youthful glow of their skin. Although men will probably not admit it, but when they finally become concerned with their own facial features, primarily their skin, they will find that they have suddenly entered the world of skin care products and grooming.

While men have realized that grooming need not be tiresome work, with the proliferation of various men’s skin care products, it has nevertheless become confusing. Because of the sheer amount of skin care products, men agonizingly select the ones most appropriate for their purpose. After finding the right product, however, the next important concern comes along. This refers to the inevitable age problem. Each stage of aging poses a different concern for all men. During the teenage years, men face the embarrassing problem of acne and facial oils. When they finally enter the twenties and thirties, the decrease of collagen is the next concern. Collagen is important as it provides for the elasticity of the skin. Unfortunately, it is annually reduced by one percent, particularly in areas, which are often exposed to the sun.

To protect themselves against skin damage, men now have their own beauty secrets. These exist in the form of products like ClearPores Cleansing System. This product generally helps maintain a healthy-looking skin and prevents aging. Now women are not the only ones who have to undergo a beauty regimen at night. Men have finally realized the importance of maintaining healthy and radiant skin.

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Although it cannot be known for sure, there’s good reason to believe that none of the millions of people who have suffered or are suffering from acne has refrained from picking open or squeezing their pimples. In fact it seems to be one of the most common actions among those people whose faces or bodies are covered with unpleasant-looking red spots. It is also one of the worst possible ideas. Pimples should never be squeezed or picked open by you. This is a job for a doctor and to be performed only if he deems it necessary. The main reason is that a pimple that has been squeezed or picked open is practically an invitation to every bacteria around to enter your body and cause an infection through the tiny opening in your skin. If you think the danger is negligible, you’re wrong.

At the very least your action is a sure way of causing future pimples to emerge in the same spot. Most likely, by tampering with your pimples in less than sterile conditions will result in permanent scarring, as the damaged skin closes around the gaping hole formerly known as a pimple. While I may seem to joke about it, let me assure you that this issue is very important. I know that it’s very hard to resist the temptation to squeeze your pimples in an attempt to eliminate at least the worst of them, but you should try as hard as you can to resists.

Believe me, you don’t want to spend the rest of your life with the scars of past acne flare-ups crisscrossing your face. This is why it’s very important to deal with acne in a decisive manner and prevent the emergence of pimples. The best way of taking care of your problem is to use an acne treatment that can really help your body put an end to basic cause of acne: widespread clogging of pores. The best acne solution around is the ClearPores Skin Cleansing System, the three-part system that takes care of acne both from the inside and the outside and prevents future flare-ups. Try it and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

There’s a rather worn-out saying, which goes like this: you are what you eat. Not surprisingly, the cheap soundbite appearance serves as a mask for a deeper truth, since any skin care professional would tell you that diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin. Many skin conditions are caused by diets that actually starve the body instead of bringing in the much-needed vitamins and minerals.

Your skin cannot function properly without the daily supply of vitamins, among which the most important are Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B7, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Vitamin E.

Vitamin A is one of the building blocks of the body’s immune system. It plays a key role in the formation of intact epithelial tissues, which are the first barrier to infections, and also in keeping white cells healthy to fight bacteria. An insufficient supply of Vitamin A can lead to xerosis, which means “dry skin”. The best sources of Vitamin A are milk, eggs, carrots and spinach.

Vitamin B2 is involved in the regulation of human growth, including the health of skin, hair and nails. It can be found in milk, cheese, leafy vegetables and almonds. According to studies conducted by Doctor Hung Leung, deficiency of Vitamin B5 can cause acne. Doctor Leung has actually managed to prove through his studies that regular doses of Vitamin B5 have a positive impact on acne, with milder cases being solved in matter of weeks. This vitamin is common in whole grain cereals, legumes, eggs and meat. Vitamin B7 is used by the cosmetics and health industries in many skin and hair care products. It is also recommended by doctors for strengthening hair and nails. Common sources of B7 are liver and kidney, dairy products and some seafood.

The well-known Vitamin C is not used solely for preventing the loss of teeth, but also to keep skin flexible and strong at the same time. The vitamin is required for the production of collagen in the connective tissues. Collagen is responsible for keeping the connective tissue flexible, yet strong. The best sources of Vitamin C are fruits and vegetables, with the Billygoat Plum (also known as Gubinge or Kakadu Plum) being the undisputed leader of Vitamin C sources (60 times more Vitamin C than oranges).

The body synthesizes large quantities of Vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, which makes this vitamin one of the easiest to get. However, the end of summer means an end to large-scale Vitamin D synthesis and the body has to rely on reserves to get through the autumn and winter. Lack of Vitamin D is one of the causes behind skin cancer. Other sources of Vitamin D are fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) fish and beef liver and eggs.

Vitamin E is used in many skin creams and lotions. It is believed to play a role in promoting skin healing and reducing scarring after certain injuries. It can be found in vegetable oils, nuts, wheat and leafy vegetables.

Although smoking is best known for causing lung cancer, this habit is also among the biggest threats to your skin. Next to sun and chemicals, tobacco is one of the major accelerators of your skin’s natural ageing process and it’s thought to be one of the fastest acting threats. Young people start showing signs of early skin aging after as little as 10 years of smoking. If you think this is a long period of time, you should keep in mind that many young people start smoking in their teen years (16-19 year olds) and are still below 30 when the first signs appear.

Smoking causes the narrowing of blood vessels throughout your body, including those that supply the outermost layers of the skin with oxygen and nutrients. Thus, your skin is slowly starved of vital oxygen and other substances, such as immunity-boosting Vitamin A. Alcohol has a similar effect by destroying the body’s supply of Vitamin A. This will lower your skin’s role as the first line of defense against bacteria and infections.

The same Vitamin A is used in the skin turnover process to help generate the new cells that replace the dead ones. The vitamin provides a temporary boost in the production of collagen and can lend the skin a more youthful appearance for a while.

Over time, the lack of oxygen and nutrients would allow the formation of harmful free radicals that slowly damage the elastic fibers and collagen, which keep the skin strong and flexible. The result is usually the appearance of premature wrinkles. It is also thought likely that the repeated pursing of lips when inhaling smoke helps build wrinkles around the mouth, while the heat of the burning cigarette tip is also damaging the skin.

The bottom line is that every person who wants to enjoy healthy skin for as long as possible should refrain from alcohol and tobacco consumption and should also take the basic steps in skin protection. There’s no reason to harm yourself with unhealthy smoking and drinking and to damage your face with premature wrinkles. It’s so simple to stay healthy.

Dandelion (root)

Taraxacum offcinale

Dandelion is a common meadow herb of the Asteraceae or sunflower family that has general detoxifying qualities, making it effective in the treatment of skin blemishes. This common yard plant contains much that is beneficial to our bodies: bitter compounds, choline, inulin, minerals such as calcium, sodium, silicic acid, sulfur, and a high concentration of potassium and in the fresh leaves. In skin care and cosmetics, it helps clear up acne, eczema, and other skin eruptions.

Burdock (root)

Arctium lappa

Burdock is a thistled plant native to the Northern USA, Europe and Asia. The roots and leaves of this plant have been used for centuries as a remedy against skin cancer, acne, eczema, and other skin ailments and diseases. It is mildly antibiotic and can help restore smoothness to the skin.

Yellow Dock (root)

Rumex crispus

Yellow dock, a general systemic toner, when combined with sarsaparilla, provides a treatment for chronic skin disorders. Its active ingredients such as the astringent tannis and the antimicrobial properties of the purgative anthraquinones combine to make decoctions of the plant useful in treating skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema, as well as skin rashes.

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Dermatologists recommend washing the face with soap twice daily, the body once daily - and the hands as often as necessary to keep them sanitary. How do you know which soap is right for you? Soap used to have a bad reputation because of the inclusion of harsh detergents, which stripped oil from the skin. However, that is no longer the case with all soaps anymore.

Before we discuss what skincare routine to follow, you need to know your skin type. To do so, look at your face in a mirror in natural daylight (i.e., outside or near a window) and observe the various areas of your face. In general: Oily skin is shiny - especially along the T-zone (the forehead, nose and chin areas), where oil glands are most prevalent - and tends to break out with pimples. If you have large pores, these may also indicate oiliness. Dry skin feels tight and dehydrated and pores may be very fine. It may also look flaky, and has a rough, papery texture. Normal skin has a uniform texture and tone that only occasionally break out in spots. Combination skin has oily and dry patches: It may be shiny/blemished along the T-zone and scaly around the cheeks.

Once you have determined your skin type, you use this information to pay attention to your specific skincare needs.

If your skin is oily and/or acne-prone, select soaps that contain salicylic acid — a skin-sloughing beta hydroxy acid that keeps pores unclogged. Similarly, choose products with the pimple-drying ingredient benzoyl peroxide.

For dry skin, stick with gentle, super-fatted soaps, many of which contain up to one-third moisturizers. Pure glycerin soap will also help your skin retain moisture. However, avoid deodorant soaps, which can dry your skin even further.

Those with sensitive skin should opt for hypoallergenic soaps, and avoid perfumed, antibacterial and deodorant soaps, which can be irritating. Try to use very little soap, do not scrub too hard, and make sure to rinse well with cool water (warm or hot water can be drying).

People with normal skin have plenty of options: feed your skin with plant-based soaps, lather up with triple-milled soaps or use a gentle face bar soap that is non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores).

Those suffering from windburned, sunburned or chapped skin can calm it with soap rich in soothing glycerin and aloe vera. As much as possible, avoid bars with overpowering fragrances since they can irritate the skin further.

Even when you’re partying until the wee hours of the morning or pulling overtime at the office, it’s essential to cleanse your face thoroughly before you hit the sack. Ideally, you should wash your face twice a day, put on toner, and moisturize immediately after cleansing your face. By removing makeup and daily grime from your face daily, you can avoid clogged pores and breakouts. However, we don’t live in a perfect world and there will be times when you just want to slip into your bed and forget about your beauty ritual.

When you’re too tired or there isn’t that much time to conduct your full facial regimen, you can save time and effort by using a multipurpose cleanser that’ll strip away dirt, oil, and even hard-to-remove makeup like waterproof mascara all at once. You can also try using disposable cloths that you simply moisten (to activate the built-in cleanser) and smooth over your face to lift away the day’s dirt.

There are plenty of ways to protect and beautify your face, and establishing a regular beauty regimen is one of them. Start one today and your skin will thank you for it.

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Implicated in a wide range of conditions and illnesses, hormones also play a role in the development of acne - inflammation of the skin that causes blackheads, whiteheads, and red spots usually called “pimples” or “zits.” Androgens, hormones that are secreted in different amounts by both men and women, play a huge role in most cases of acne. Androgens stimulate the hormone-sensitive sebaceous glands, which produce oil known as sebum. Sebum, in turn, has been labeled as “the fuel that feeds the flame of acne.”

Teens are more likely to suffer from breakouts because at the onset of puberty, their bodies begin to produce androgens. These “male” hormones are a natural part of development for both boys and girls, but boys tend to produce more of them, resulting in more severe breakouts. After about age 20, sebum production begins to decrease but it can flare up again at any age.

Due to the presence of androgens, your oil glands go into overdrive. They produce extra oil, which block your follicles and clump together with the dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin. When this sticky mixture works its way into your pores, it acts just like a cork in a bottle — trapping oil and bacteria inside. Unfortunately, your oil glands cannot determine when to stop so they keep producing oil thus making the follicle swollen. Your body’s natural defense system — white blood cells — rush to the area to produce an enzyme that damages the wall of the follicle, allowing the contents of the follicle to enter the dermis. This process causes an inflammatory response that results in either red, painful bumps (papules); blackheads and whiteheads (comedones); pimples or acne. Contrary to common belief, this condition has nothing to do with what you eat, or how often you wash your face.

Dermatologists point out that dietary factors neither cause nor cure acne. In almost all cases, the food you eat has almost nothing to do with your acne, except for those containing iodine and muscle-enhancing steroids. If you ingest a large amount of iodine like mineral pills, your acne will likely flare up. Steroids have also been known to cause a type of acne referred to as steroid acne.

Hormones affect acne but having acne is not a sign of a hormonal imbalance. Changes in hormones, such as the specific point in your menstrual cycle (ovulation vs. having your period), pregnancy, or menopause all are normal, yet all can cause dramatic changes in your skin condition.

Female hormone levels change and vary throughout the monthly cycle. These fluctuations do cause acne to flare and diminish depending on the time of the month. The most effective way to treat menstrual cycle acne is to treat the acne itself by applying topical medications, oral antibiotics, or even changing or adjusting a birth control pill since the hormones found in these contraceptives are also related to flare-ups of acne.

Several symptoms can help your dermatologist identify hormonally-influenced acne: adult-onset acne, or breakouts that appear for the first time in adults; acne flare-ups preceding the menstrual cycle; a history of irregular menstrual cycles, increased facial oiliness; Hirsutism (excessive growth of hair, or hair in unusual places); and elevated levels of certain androgens in the blood stream.