Zinc Oxide Creams for Natural Skin Care

Zinc oxide moisturizer is definitely one of the handiest and most versatile products you can have in your medicine cabinet.

When you think of zinc oxide moisturizer or cream, one the first thoughts that may come into your mind might be the lifeguard. He sits at his post with a generous coating of white zinc cream covering his nose to help protect him from sunburn. This is without a doubt the most common way zinc oxide cream is used. As a matter of fact, there are many skin experts who believe that zinc oxide sunscreen (even though it’s not very attractive) is superior to today’s chemical sunscreens at blocking and absorbing the dangerous UVAs and UVBs.

What you may not be aware of is that this particular natural skin cream is a valuable addition to your medicine cabinet as a treatment for a wide variety of skin conditions, complications, and disorders. As an example, zinc oxide cream is extremely effective in the treatment of acne. It has many benefits that are specific to the relief of acne conditions. It will reduce inflammation, It will decrease the production of excessive oils, it will draw out infectious toxins, and It will increases the healing process of your skin.

There are a lot of Mothers who use zinc oxide cream to prevent and treat diaper rash. This versatile cream is also great for treating minor cuts, burns and abrasions. Dandruff and dermatitis are also known to respond quite well to the use of zinc oxide. It is also used to treat athlete’s foot, as well as poison ivy, poison oak, and irritating sumac rashes. It works great at suppressing the unbearable symptoms of both itching and inflammation.

How to apply zinc oxide cream. Apply it generously on your skin. Leave it uncovered. Do not use any kind of bandage, unless your Doctor tells you to do so. Before you use zinc oxide cream on infants or children, consult your pediatrician. While reactions with other types of medications are rarely reported, they can occur. If you happen to have a skin cream or other topical lotion already on the affected site, it is in your best interest to clean this area before you begin applying the zinc cream.

The number one reason why zinc oxide cream is so effective is the hundreds of enzymes that depend on this trace mineral in order to function properly. Zinc can be found in almost every cell in the human body. It also contains powerful antioxidant properties and it is an important factor regarding your immune response system. Remember, your skin is the largest organ in the human body, and it absorbs all of the nutrients in zinc oxide cream directly through the skin.

When used properly, you can definitely see that zinc oxide cream is a great remedy to have on hand in your medicine cabinet.

Who Says You Don’t Need A Facial Moisturizer?

Facial moisturizers are an absolutely essential part of one’s daily skincare regime. The choice of moisturizer may differ from one person to another for instance people with dry skin need a moisturizer with strong hydrating agents. Likewise people with ultra delicate skin will look out for a gentle moisturizer but a moisturizer is essentially required by each and everyone regardless of one’s age, gender and skin type. A facial moisturizer helps to improve facial health considerably and regular usage of quality hydrating lotions can eliminate the chances of developing skin disorders. Regular use can also diminish wrinkles and other aging signs. This is but only possible if you use a high quality moisturizer.

The best time to use a facial moisturizer is immediately after washing the facial skin. At this time, the skin pores are open and now if the facial moisturizer is applied, it will penetrate down into the deepest layers of the facial skin.

Do not forget to check the expiry date of beauty products before applying them. You got to be careful about their storage as well. The moisturizer should be stored in moderate temperature. Excessive cold and excessive heat both are harmful and may cause the moisturizer to lose its efficiency.

Whatever be the skin type, your moisturizer must contain an SPF factor 15 or more. Some moisturizers do not contain sunscreen at all but it is always better to purchase one that contains adequate sun-block, preferably a natural agent, like zinc or zinc oxide.

One last thing- do not listen to those who tell you apply a moisturizer or for that matter any facial cream in downward stroke. A facial lotion should be always applied in an outward and upward motion. Applying a moisturizer in a downward motion will bring premature aging of the facial skin. It will make your skin sag down prematurely.

Summer Acne Solved with Zinc

Summer brings fun outside activities, under the hot summer sun. Heat and environmental exposure however can lead to acne break outs and clogged pores, especially for those that have oily or acne skin types. The hot summer sun causes us to sweat more creating more surface oil and a perfect breading ground for dirt and bacteria to clog pores and create acne. There are simple steps to take to keep your skin break out free during the summer.

1. Proper hygiene

Cleansing the skin more often is essential to eliminating dirt and bacteria that can cause clogged pores and acne breakouts. It is important to properly cleanse not only the face but the entire body, as acne is common on other skin surfaces such as the back, and chest as well as the face. Body and face washes that contain salicylic acid or benzyol peroxide are good options as these ingredients fight acne causing bacteria. It is also important to exfoliate regularly over the summer to shed the skin of dead skin that can clog pores. A mild exfoliate for the face and body is recommended, harsh exfoliation treatments are not recommended as this can sensitize the skin. Common areas that become clogged with dead skin cells is the t-zone of the face and the back of arms and legs. If body acne is your concern over summer wear clothing that is loose fitting, this will allow room for the skin to breath making it harder for bacteria to spread and cause break outs.

2. Oil Control

The rising temperature and humidity over summer can cause oil gland to produce more oil. More surface oil combined with bacteria, dirt and dead skin can lead to break outs. Controlling surface oil by cleansing with a foaming cleanser at least twice a day will eliminate potential break outs. Using a rice paper oil blotter or oil control lotion will help oil stay controlled during the day, proper cleansing should be practiced to control oil all summer. If your skin becomes over sensitive to cleansing or is excessively oily a mask that controls oils and replenishes nutrients to the skin can be applied once or twice a week. Try a mask that contains sulfur or clay to control oil, these ingredients treat break outs and add nutrients to the skin.

3. Moisturize

Moisturizing your skin during the summer months is necessary to protect the moisture barrier of the skin, and protect from environmental damaging. During the cooler months skin may be dryer and a heavier more emmolitant moisturizer is necessary, during the summer a light moisturizer is best. Choose a light weigh moisturizer that is non comedogenic and oil free meaning it will not clog pores. There are also formulas that have acne fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid to fight break outs while moisturizing.

4. Wear Sunscreen

Wearing a daily sunscreen is important year round for all skin types. Acne fighting protects make the skin more sensitive a daily sunscreen will protect the skin from sun damage and scarring. Choose a sunscreen safe for face and body that is oil free and non comedogenic and is labeled SPF 15 or higher. Zinc and Zinc Oxide are the best natural sun blocks you can buy without resorting to harsh chemical constituents that clog pores and cause potential allergic reactions. Zinc blocks the sun with it’s micro-crystal effects, while regular sunscreens only ABSORB harmful UV rays. Zinc also is anti-microbial, which will significantly to help reduce acne breakouts.

Follow these simple all summer to ensure great glowing skin with out break outs.

Green Tea & Zinc Facial Care

What is Tea?

The beneficial properties of tea are attributed to polyphenols. The polyphenols found in tea mainly belong to the subtype called catechins. Polyphenols or catechins are better known as antioxidants that fight free radicals. Free radicals are damaging to skin and body by attacking healthy cells. Green tea has more catechins than black tea; white tea is almost as rich in catechins as green tea but is different in composition and less well studied.

So How Is Green Tea Good For My Skin?

There have been number studies of skin benefits of green tea. One of these studies show protection from skin cancer by demonstrating topical green tea formulations can reduce sun damage.(1) Another fascinating study in 2003 was conducted by Dr. Stephen Hsu of the Medical College of Georgia Department of Oral Biology. His findings determined green tea was able to rejuvenate old skin cells at the end of their life cycle.

A quote from Dr. Hsu’s paper explained, “…we report here for the first time, that at certain concentrations, EGCG or a mixture of the major green tea polyphenols stimulated aged keratinocytes to generate biological energy and to synthesize DNA, possibly for renewed cell division.

Therefore, green tea constituents may be useful topically for promoting skin regeneration, wound healing, or treatment of certain epithelial conditions such as aphthous ulcers, psoriasis, rosacea, and actinic keratoses.” (2) Dr. Hsu went on to comment he was “so surprised” to discover EGCG actually reactivated cells that had migrated toward the surface of the skin to ‘die’.

Green tea appears to manipulate sun damage protection by fighting free radicals and reducing inflammation rather than by blocking UV rays. Therefore, green tea enhances sun protection when used in addition to a sunscreen. To boost sun protection, apply a green tea formula under your sunscreen to elevate the level of sun protection. It is best to combine green tea with zinc oxide-based sunscreens because zinc oxide is chemically inert and should not react with green tea (which some chemical sunscreens might do, especially in sunlight). You can also look for green tea in natural soaps, and other facial cleansers.

Topical green tea is also very beneficial for sensitive skin types by reducing inflammation and irritation in the skin. Wrinkles, skin sag and other signs of aging have been shown to benefit from Green tea. The tea’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenols slow down signs of premature of aging

Green Tea and Pimples

A green tea and pimples study suggests it to be as good as benzoyl peroxide cream in treating acne conditions with fewer side effects. Scientific research has shown that green tea fights bacteria, inflammation and reduces stress. Perhaps it would be an excellent candidate for treating acne?

In the study, conducted by Dr. Jennifer Gan-Wong from the Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines, 108 participants were divided into two groups. One applied benzoyl peroxide cream and the other green tea extract cream twice daily for 12 weeks. Subjects were examined and photographed each week by dermatologists. The researchers noted the green tea cream seemed to lighten patients’ skin color and improve the overall appearance of their complexion.

The preliminary data suggests that green tea cream causes fewer side effects than benzoyl peroxide. Patients in the green tea group reported fewer cases of dry skin, itching and allergic responses.

Use green tea at home to boost your skins health, appearance and reduce signs of aging by freezing freshly brewed green tea as ice cubes and use them as a toner. Let them start thawing first before applying directly to the face to avoid irritation. You can also drink green tea or take green tea extract in capsules to benefit from the anti oxidant properties. The polyphenols will reach your skin via the bloodstream in sufficient amounts.

Using green tea in your skincare routine has definite proven benefits to slow skin aging, reduce acne and protect your skin from cancer among many others. Just be aware of the products you choose. Like most antioxidants, green tea polyphenols are oxidized and can lose their active constituents when exposed to air.

By Tiffany Oney and Rachelle Dupree

References:

(1) Green Tea Polyphenol Treatment to Human Skin Prevents Formation of Ultraviolet Light B-induced Pyrimidine Dimers in DNA (2000). Santosh K. Katiyar, Anaibelith Perez and Hasan Mukhtar. Clinical Cancer Research Vol. 6, 3864-3869, October 2000.

(2) Green Tea Polyphenols Induce Differentiation and Proliferation in Epidermal Keratinocytes (2003). Stephen Hsu, Wendy B. Bollag, Jill Lewis, Qin Huang,Baldev Singh, Mohamed Sharawy, Tetsuya Yamamoto, and George Schuster. Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics. First published on March 27, 2003; DOI: 10.1124/jpet.103.049734