Many people think of acne as something suffered solely by hormone laden teenagers, but many adults can attest that that’s simply not the case! At least eighty percent of adults suffer from acne at some point after leaving their teens, and many adults suffer recurring bouts of acne well into their thirties and even forties.

Not only can acne be disfiguring and embarrassing, but most acne medications were created with young skin in mind, and simply don’t suit the skin of older people (many acne treatments are too drying, as they treat “oily” skin; although many acne sufferers actually have so-called normal or even dry skin).

So what is a mature acne sufferer to do? One excellent place to start is by looking at natural acne remedies. Many are just as effective as their over the counter or prescription counterparts, but are often much more gentle and far less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

There are several products which work effectively against acne, many of which are plant based, or herbal in nature. It’s possible to buy many herbal based acne products online or even from your local pharmacy or health food store. For many people, this is a convenient way of treating their acne naturally. However, other people prefer to make their own completely natural acne treatment.

One natural herbal remedy involves the use of strawberries or strawberry leaves. The use of moistened strawberry leaves as a treatment for acne actually dates back to Egyptian times. You can replicate the treatment of the ancient Egyptians quite simply, by moistening strawberry leaves with a little water, and then leaving them on your face for ten to fifteen minutes as you rest. Alternatively, you can try using mashed strawberries, applied as a paste to your skin.

Another natural herb for treating acne is dandelion. To use dandelion, you can chop up both the leaves and root of the plant and boil it in water. After simmering the mixture gently for ten minutes, turn off the heat, allow it to cool and then strain. The liquid can be drunk as a tea, or applied directly to the skin (or both!).

Aloe Vera gel is also considered to be an excellent treatment for acne. In Ayurvedic medicine, Aloe Vera gel is mixed with essential oils as an acne treatment. It has been shown to reduce inflammation, and may also help to moisturize and rejuvenate the skin. Aloe Vera regularly applied has also proven to be an effective treatment for acne scars, and can prevent the eruption of new acne pustules.

Many practitioners of herbal medicine recommend both internal and external treatments for acne. Acne is often a symptom of internal discord in the body, and thus treating the skin does little to solve the problem. Knowing this, it makes sense to heal the whole body rather than simply focus on the skin, as many other medications do. An excellent external remedy involves a combination of different essential oils, including Tea Tree Oil (known for its exceptional antibacterial and antifungal properties, and its ability to penetrate the skin), peppermint oil and clove oil. Herbal teas and tinctures taken alongside such an external treatment help attack the acne problem in two ways.

The good news is that if you are an adult suffering from acne, there is something you can do about it. If your acne problem is severe or persistent, it may make sense to visit a naturopath or other practitioner of complementary medicine, who can do a full analysis of your overall health. Armed with this information, the practitioner can prescribe an acne treatment tailored for your unique situation, which may ultimately prove more beneficial and effective than something you purchase off the shelf.

I have a few friends who make beautiful cakes.  Some for fun and some for profit.  Here are some questions that you should ask when looking for someone to make your special cake.

Here’s a look at some of the questions you’ll want to ask your potential cake decorator:

How much past experience do you have designing wedding cakes? Do you have a picture portfolio? How about references from satisfied clients? Make sure you call some of the references and ask them how their experience was with the cake baker.

Can you give me an open tasting? This is important because it allows you to try different flavors of cakes, including icings and fillings. You don’t just want a cake that looks pretty - you want it to taste good too.

Are you able to design a custom cake, just the way I’d like it? Or do I have to order from your templates and past designs? What is the extra charge for doing a custom cake? How adaptable are your existing designs, can they be tweaked?

Tell me about the cake accessories. Will you provide the wedding cake toppers, tiers, stands, cutlery, etc. or do I need to provide some or all of these? Is there an extra charge? Are there choices in designs for me to choose from? Do you have a portfolio of these items I can look at?

If I would like fresh flowers on my cake, will you coordinate with the florist, or will I be responsible for bringing the flowers to you from the florist? How far in advance will you need the flowers delivered for the cake?

What ingredients do you use in the cake and icings? If the ingredients are high quality, the cake will be better tasting.

How long does it take you to make a wedding cake? How long before the wedding would you be making the cake? And how will it be stored? The closer to the wedding the better, but most cakes take several days to assemble. Three days, or even five days is common.

What is the pricing structure? Do fillings and extra details cost more? Get a quote in writing for what you want and take it with you so you can compare it with other bakeries if you’d like.

How booked up are you during the time frame of my wedding reception? You want her to be able to take her time making your cake and not be overbooked and rushed.

Do you deliver the cake? And is that included in the price? It’s best to have them deliver the cake as they will have a secure way to transport it.

Asking questions is the only way you can be sure you’re getting the perfect cake for your reception and there are no hidden surprised when you go to pay the bill.

Another important irritant to avoid is smoke. Smoking narrows the blood vessels in the outermost layers of the skin and depletes your natural stores of collagen and elastin, resulting in dry, leathery skin. Anti-wrinkle treatment can help to treat the effects of smoking but nothing will work better than avoiding smoking entirely.

If treating the signs of aging is an issue for you, then you want to be sure to use an all-natural product made solely from organic, plant-based ingredients. Not only will this allow you to avoid potentially damaging synthetic ingredients, it will expose your skin to the safest, gentlest, healthiest treatment available today. Face wrinkle cream made from all-natural ingredients can provide proper hydration, nourish the skin and promote collagen growth to restore elasticity.

With the inclusion of vitamin E and other powerful natural antioxidants, all-natural products can also work to rid the body of harmful free radicals and other toxins, helping the skin to heal itself from within. An anti-wrinkle face cream will only be truly effective if it penetrates beneath the surface and addresses problems at their source.

We all want to hold off the hands of time, and that fight begins with living a healthy life and making informed choices. By taking the extra time to eat right, exercise, avoid smoking and sun exposure and use only the healthiest all natural skin care products, we can treat our bodies with the care they deserve. We only get one chance at life… it’s up to us to make the best of it.

Anti-wrinkle face cream has become a big-ticket item as more and more people seek to turn back the hands of time. There are many products on the market today which can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and even prevent their development. However, in order to successfully treat the skin, the use of creams, lotions and other skincare products must be part of a careful overall health regimen.

Treating the signs of aging begins with avoiding their most common causes and maintaining overall health. Your body will only look as good as it feels, so it is essential that you address your skin care issues from the inside out. Face wrinkle creams can help at the surface level, but a healthy lifestyle will ensure that your entire body is as fit and strong as possible.

Not surprisingly, the most important steps in maintaining the health of your skin are getting a healthy, balanced diet and proper exercise. Eating right can go a long way toward producing healthy, glowing skin. Anti-wrinkle face cream can address existing problems, but nothing can fully replace living healthy. It is truly the best revenge!

It is equally important that you avoid the biggest causes of skin damage, particularly sun exposure. Nothing causes dryness and wrinkling more than excess sun. The most effective face wrinkle cream will contain some level of sun protection, specifically an SPF of 15 or more. By blocking the effects of the sun’s rays, these products can help the skin to remain soft and supple.

Have you ever seen those commercials asking you if you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos?  The mesothelioma life expectancy after being diagnosed is about 5 years.  The interval between exposure and onset is between 30 and 40 years.  Most of us don’t worry about being exposed to asbestos, but did you know that we are being exposed to numerous other harmful toxins every day.  As women, we are purposely placing toxins on our body all for the sake of beauty.

Please examine your beauty products for these harmful ingredients:

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Often described as being “derived from coconut” to disguise their toxic nature, these chemicals are commonly used in shampoos, toothpaste, foaming facial and body cleansers and bubble bath. SLS and ALS can cause severe skin irritation, and are easily absorbed into the body, building up in the brain, heart, lungs and liver, leading to potential long term health problems. SLS and ALS may also cause cataracts, and prevent children’s eyes from developing properly.

Paraben Preservatives
Parabens are widely used in cosmetics, deodorants, skin care and baby products to prolong their shelf life. They are known to be highly toxic and have caused rashes and allergic reactions. Recent scientific studies in the UK found a strong link between the use of parabens and the increasing rate of breast cancer in women. Researchers found a high concentration of parabens in 90% of breast tumors tested.

Propylene Glycol
Found in many beauty creams, cosmetics and cleansers, Propylene Glycol can cause skin rashes and contact dermatitis, and has been shown to cause damage to the kidneys and liver.

Isopropyl Alcohol
Alcohol is used as a solvent in many skin care products. It causes skin irritation and strips the skin of its natural acid mantle, promoting the growth of bacteria, moulds and viruses. It may also cause premature ageing of skin.

DEA (Diethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine) and MEA (Monoethanolamine)
These substances are harsh solvents and detergents that are used in cosmetics and face and body creams as an emollient. They can cause allergic reactions, and long term use of DEA-based products (such as Cocamide DEA) have been linked to an increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer.

Aluminum
A common ingredient in antiperspirants, aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Mineral Oil
Derived from petroleum (crude oil), mineral oil is commonly found as a main ingredient of face and body creams and cosmetics. Baby oil is 100% mineral oil! It coats the skin like a plastic film, clogging pores and stopping the skin from eliminating toxins, which can lead to acne and other skin disorders. Other petroleum based ingredients include paraffin wax, paraffin oil and petrolatum.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
Used as a thickener in skin care products and cosmetics, PEGs interfere with the skin’s natural moisture balance, causing an increase in ageing and leaving the skin vulnerable to bacteria.

Talc
Talc is a soft mineral used in talcum powders and cosmetic powders. Scientific studies have shown that routine application of talcum powder to the genital area is linked with a three-to-fourfold increase in the development of ovarian cancer. Inhaling cosmetic powders containing talc may also be harmful to long term health.

How To Avoid These Toxins
Examine the labels of your cosmetics and skin care products carefully, and learn to recognize ingredients that are harmful to your skin and to your health. Many web sites have lists of potentially harmful ingredients in addition to those shown above (e.g. Environmental Working Group).

Don’t be fooled by the words ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ on the front of the label. Many products contain at least one or two natural or organic ingredients, but they may also contain harmful synthetic chemicals as well.

Whenever possible, choose products with 100% natural ingredients such as essential oils and herbs. Your skin will love you for it!