You can feel and look younger by having a proper skin cleansing routine that will take years of your appearance. With some research, time and effort, you can improve your skin condition for a younger and brighter looking skin.

There is nothing difficult about establishing a skin cleaning routine, and the hardest part is making a daily habit out of pampering your skin. When you don’t feel like cleaning your skin, keep in mind the long terms benefits of a consistent cleaning routine. Your complexion will look young and radiant, and eventually you will see it was worth more than the investment of your time and money.

Skin care should be an integral part of your hygiene routine like brushing your teeth, eating and showering. Other steps you can repeat as needed, and some steps you only need to do once or twice a week. Let us give you some guidelines and explanations of what each skin care product offers, and how frequently you should use the products.

Cleanser 

Use a cleanser twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. In the morning you clean to remove waste and oil that your skin generated over night. Nightly cleansing removes oil buildup, bacteria, makeup and other pollutants that get on your skin during the course of your day. The night cleansing is the most important, because leaving all these foreign materials on your skin will cause premature aging and blemishes. Make sure to find a cleanser that is aimed at your particular skin type.

Exfoliants

These scrub away dead skin cells that cause dry skin, wrinkles, blackheads, blemishes and more. Most of them have tiny little granules that gently scrub away at the skin. If it feels to harsh or abrasive you will probably want to look for a more mild exfoliation cleanser. Daily exfoliation increases skin turnover by about 30%.

Toner

As a warning, do not use a toner with alcohol, because these will dry and irritate skin. Toners remove anything left over after your cleanser, and prepare your skin to absorb a moisturizer. You can use cotton pads or balls to apply the toner over your face and neck.

Moisturizers

There is a moisturizer for every skin type, so get one that matches your. Make sure that the moisturizer has a pH to protect your skin from the sun and other environmental factors. These will plump your face by retaining moisture which prevents wrinkles.

Eye Cream

The tissue around the eyes is delicate and does not have oil glands, so it needs a special type of moisturizer. Your eyes will often by the first place to show aging due to the delicate nature of the skin, so it is important to start using eye creams early on in life.

Masks

These do a deep cleaning of your skin, and should be used once or twice a week. They will make your skin look extra vibrant and healthy when stressors of life start showing on your skin.

Read more about skin care at BoilsWiki.

If you are that person who has battled acne for some time now, you are bound to have tried a home remedy or two that your mother or grandmother recommended to really deliver on its promises of clearer skin. Home remedies are merely made of ingredients that you can find in your kitchen. The fact that these can easily be acquired with little to no cost at all makes it a go-to for many people who would not want to spend money and risk using over-the-counter products not designed to get rid of acne.

Getting a thorough understanding of the basic causes of acne should somehow help you figure out just how these home remedies will work in order to get rid of your pimples. There are those that will clear clogged pores, those that will get rid of bacteria in the skin, as well as those that soothe swelling and inflammation. Note that there are those that are more effective than others. There are even those that will not work.

This is exactly why you should experiment on these home remedies so you can pick out which of these will work its wonders on you. However, if you are suffering from a rather severe case of acne, it would be best to invest in a reliable anti-acne product.

Mint Juice

Fresh mint juice is a good treatment for nodular or severe cystic acne. Apply this all over your face every night and if it proves to be effective for you, repeat during mornings. Mint works because this is an anti-inflammatory product which can help reduce the swelling that is commonly associated with acne.

Honey and Cinnamon

Mix 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder to create a thick paste. Apply this paste over those areas with acne before sleeping and keep it on until the following morning then wash off with warm water. Repeat this for 2 weeks. Honey has long been known as an antibiotic while cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant. This combination is lethal to the "bacterium P. acnes," which can cause pimples.

Seawater
A relatively safe and natural way to cure your acne is to wash your face twice with warm, salty water. This will leave your face clean and oil-free without the need to use irritating soaps and other facial products.

Lemon and Rosewater
Squeeze the juice of one lemon and mix it with an equal part of rosewater. Apply the resulting concoction to your face and rinse it with water after half an hour. The acidity of the lemon and the antioxidant powers of rosewater will disinfect the skin and encourage exfoliation.

Garlic
Crush 2 garlic cloves and dab it in those areas that have acne, carefully working around your eyes. Garlic is a potent antibacterial that can effectively eliminate bacteria on your skin. It might have an unpleasant smell but has shown to be very effective.

Nettle Tea
Drinking 4 cups of nettle tea every day is a way to cure acne from the inside. This should be available in your local drug stores or organic food stores. Nettle is thought to possess healing properties and has shown to effectively work as an effective anti-acne remedy.

Aloe Vera
Aside from possessing antibacterial properties, aloe vera gel can also speed up the healing process of acne lesions. As an added bonus, it can even prevent the formation of unsightly scarring. Since fresh aloe works best, it would be best to keep an aloe plant in your home and just break off a stalk whenever you need it.

About the Author:
Amy C. is a blogger who writes about natural remedies for some of the most common health problems known. When she is not writing about these alternative treatments, she helps KB Accounting & Tax Services, a Phoenix Accountant and Phoenix Bookkeeper company, with its office administration and blogging activities. Stay tuned for her next entry to know the natural remedy that she is going to feature next.

Combined With Cardio

Whether at home or in the gym, there are numerous leg workouts which you can do in order to strengthen your muscles in this area. One of the more obvious ones which you can do all the time is walking. Although primarily known for its cardiovascular benefits, walking stairs or steep inclines can work wonders for building up leg muscles.

In terms of the gym, a lot of cardio exercises can be tailored to have a real benefit and strengthen your leg muscles. The three main ones are the burning machine, which will work on whichever part of your legs you program it too as well as the buttocks, the cross trainer and the rowing machine. Even 15 minutes on each of these pieces of apparatus three times a week will deliver significant gains in leg muscle strength.

Weight Training

Obviously the quickest way to build muscle mass and strength with leg workouts is by having a strong focus on weight training. Gyms are loaded with equipment which can help you achieve the results you want in relation to your leg workouts.

Take advantage of the trainers who work there too, they’ll be able to give you a great deal of quality advice and direction with regards how best to perform your leg workouts, including intensity and intervals.

Doing It At Home

If you’re not a regular down at your local gym then there’s no need to panic, there are many exercises you can perform at home which will help build muscle and strength with effective leg workouts. There are a wide number of computer programs and mobile apps, as well as DVD’s which provide a wide range of exercises and ideas, some even give simple ideas you can do while sitting at your desk in the office all day.

Try a simple yet effective exercise such as standing squats. Five sets of 20 standing squats three or four times a week will work wonders for the strength and tone of your leg muscles.

The Other Stuff

Obviously working out isn’t the only way to increase your muscle size and strength. You will also need to carefully consider what you eat, as well as making sure you warm up and cool down correctly, in order to gain maximum benefit from the exercises as well as prevent an injury from occurring.

Take some simple steps today and start building those leg muscles with some effective leg workouts.
Videojug is a leading video website specialising in "how to " content. They have a large database of videos including subjects such as leg workouts.

You have made the decision to become a runner. Yes, you want that sleek, lean look. You want some time to yourself to clear your mind.  You are looking for that “runner’s high.” You want to be able to tell people that you are runner.

While running is definitely good for your mind, body and spirit, there are some things to know beforehand. Get a good pair of running shoes, dress appropriately, stretch, and make sure to focus on your running technique.

Running shoes: A good pair of running shoes is essential. They can make or break you both literally and figuratively. Without a good pair of shoes, you are more prone to injuries.  While you do not have to spend a fortune, go to a running store to get fitted. Your typical sporting good store does not have the expertise you need. A running store will make sure you are fitted correctly by testing your gait and watching you run.

Make sure to bring a pair of your old shoes too so they can see how they wore. Go to a running store and in the long run (no pun intended), you will be glad you did.

Clothing: No, you don’t have to go out and buy a whole new running wardrobe, unless you want to of course.  Find something you are comfortable running in and that fits you. You don’t want to have to constantly be pulling up your pants or pulling down your shirt. Choose materials that are moisture wicking and will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Remember too, when you run outside, your temperature goes up anywhere from 15 to 20 degrees from the airs temperature. So, if it’s 50 degrees out, it will most likely feel anywhere from 65-70 degrees which could make a big difference on how you dress.

Stretching: There is much discussion about stretching when it comes to running.  Some people feel you should stretch before and after you run. Others feel that you should only stretch after a run.  Personally, I would do what is right for you. You know your body best and anything that helps minimize injuries and speed recovery is the way to go.

Running Technique:  Pace yourself, you cannot go from no running to running a marathon. It just doesn’t work that way. And, if you try to, you are going to be more prone to injuries or become burnt out and quit all together. Develop a schedule for yourself. Make sure you increase in increments (both your pace and length) and schedule rest days for yourself too.

When you start to run too, you want to be aware of your posture. Land on your feet (toe/heel). Bounce as little as possible to minimize pressure on your knees. And remember to breathe, relax, and find your stride. After all, you are supposed to be enjoying yourself.

With taking just these few running tips into consideration, you are off to a good start. Take care of yourself and remember it’s not a race!

Joanna is an avid runner - among many other things. She is also a loving mother and a creative artist. In her free time, she bakes edible wedding favors for her party business and cookies for the kids' bake sales.

How do recreational drugs play a part in athletes’ downfall in the same way as performance enhancing drugs and how can harm reduction be achieved?

Constantly Striving For More

If you’re a professional sportsman or woman you live your life almost in a constant bubble. There is the constant pressure to perform at your best day in and day out. As well as the pressures of remaining top of your game when you’re “at work” so to speak, there are also the added pressures of living your life in the public eye. One can only imagine the mental strain applied when you’re giving interviews and have to give the corporate, conditioned answer that will give a great soundbite and look wonderful in print. Although he has never been linked with substance misuse, an athlete such as Tiger Woods would be a perfect example of this.

Breaking It All Down

If the man on the street has a bad day at work, he may go for a drink afterwards. He may even indulge in recreational drugs from time to time. In this respect, many athletes are no different, and can also fall into this trap. Where athletes differ however, is that most of the time the common man isn’t subjected to random drug testing and are therefore unlikely to be discovered to have taken the drug.

Thus the problem becomes two-fold. Not only is there the significant risk of the athlete becoming addicted to harmful substances, there is also the likelihood that sooner or later, they will get caught by a drugs test, labelled a drug user and be stigmatised for the rest of their career. In recent years the careers of footballers such as Adrian Mutu and Mark Bosnich never really recovered from testing positive for cocaine.

On a positive note however, other notable footballers, such as Tony Adams and Paul Merson, underwent harm reduction programs and were able to come out with a better outcome. Adams even opened his own clinic, “Sporting Chance”, to help other professional sportsmen and women cope with their addictions.

Sports Taking Positive Action

These examples aside there have been many examples of professional sportsmen and women from around the world who have ruined their careers and indeed their lives through drug use. Most sports now have harm reduction programs in place in order to identify those who are potentially misusing substances so help can be given at an early stage. This applies to both recreational as well as performance enhancing drugs. Even WWE, derided by many for being “fake”, has a wellness policy in place in order to protect its performers from the effects of drug use.

Whatever your opinion on what WWE does, they must be given huge credit for taking action following tragic events and deaths in the industry linked to substance misuse.

For helpful resources about harm reduction, visist Innovation with Substance.

If you are visiting a wonderfully scenic area, rent some bikes and see it from the road. A bike ride is a great cardio exercise, and you’ll find that there are plenty of opportunities for you to stop and see what your holiday area has to offer. This is a great family activity or a great activity for someone to do on their own. Small children can often be towed along on trailers, as well.

Take some time to think about how you can stay active while on holiday. You don’t want to get back and find that all of the work that you have put into your workout has disappeared, so take step to stay on top of things. 



Rosie writes on behalf of Reserve Apartments a serviced apartments website which can help you to find accommodation for your holiday or business trip. Looking for quality Edinburgh apartments? Visit ReserveApartments.co.uk for their latest offers.

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Is there anything worse than going out on a date when you know you've got a big zit on your forehand? Or how about landing a huge job interview but waking up in the morning with pimples all over your chin? And of course there's the classic zit on the tip of your nose that will ruin any occasion. 


Sometimes it's so bad you don't feel like going out at all, and you can only muster up enough energy pick up the phone and cancel all your plans.


Acne is definitely embarrassing and it gets in the way of regular life way too often. But you don't have to let it control you because you can fight back - or at least hide it. With a bit of experience, strategy, and the right products you can still live a normal life.


Don’t Pop Pimples - your first temptation is probably going to be popping those pimples right away. It's common for people to think “it will heal quickly” or “there's just no other way!” You have to weigh your options carefully because sometimes more acne is the price you pay for a temporary solution. If you can help it, don't burst your pimples and try to find another way. Otherwise you might be dealing with a much more severe breakouts, or possibly acne scars if you do it enough.


Find a Good Foundation - finding a good foundation will be absolutely key in covering up noticeable acne. This can be a tricky area because foundation's that cover the best also tend to clog your pores. So there's a bit of a trade-off in overall effectiveness with long-term thinking as well. In general, it's far better to use a mineral-based foundation rather than something liquid. Mineral-based makeup goes on lighter, and if you apply it with a brush, it's a lot more hygienic. You can find good ones at reasonable prices from popular brands all over.


The Right Concealer - when you have your foundation in place, you might need the help of a concealer as well. Sometimes foundation alone is enough, but a complementary concealer can really achieve the right tone and color to hide blemishes. You can also find concealers that come with a touch of medication so that you can zap your zits while hiding it at the same time. Just be careful that you don't go overboard if you're already using another topical cream. You don't want to accidentally dry up everything in the process.


Careful Application - something seems to come over people when they're dealing with acne, and a common reaction is to plaster their face with products or makeup. Whether you're using an acne cream or a concealer, you have to remember that more is not necessarily better. Use your products strategically and make sure you check in the mirror to see how things are progressing. Makeup also looks different under certain lighting, so get out good looks from all angles. And if you're using tools to apply your makeup, make sure they are totally clean and replaced on a regular basis.


Seek treatment - it doesn't matter how good your makeup skills are, this is only a temporary solution. It's meant for emergency situations so you'll still need to find a long-term treatment, maybe from a dermatologist if you have more serious acne. In some cases, it doesn't matter how good the makeup is, you might just have really sensitive that doesn't respond well. If you find your breakouts are getting worse, then don't hesitate to consult your general physician for referral to a skin specialist.


Andrea Warner is a Contributor at How to Get Rid of Acne Help, a site designed to help people with real-life practical advice in addition to dealing with the emotional aspects of problem skin. It is a great resource and a wonderful place to start for information regarding your acne problems: http://www.howtogetridofacnehelp.com/

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Oily skin, spots and acne are very common complaints, and not just amongst teenagers. Unlike many people believe, oily skin and acne can last well into your twenties, thirties, forties or even fifties. It is also possible to start getting spots at any age as factors such as stress, pregnancy and diet all have an impact on your skin.

Spots can have an effect on your self-esteem but unfortunately, there is no overnight solution on how to get rid of spots, especially if you suffer from particularly bad acne or very oily skin. However, by understanding what causes spots you can make the changes needed in your diet, lifestyle and skincare routine, eventually leading to beautiful, perfectly clear skin.

Your skin naturally produces its own moisturizer, known as sebum. People who do not have enough sebum suffer from very dry skin, whilst people with too much get overly oily skin. This excess of sebum blocks the tiny pores in your skin, trapping dirt and impurities in there which cause infections and become spots. So, the key to perfect skin is to achieve the right balance between too much sebum and not enough.

Image via tibchris

Here are my top five tips on how to get rid of spots…

1.       Eat Healthily

Your skin is nourished and fed from the inside as well as the outside, so if you are desperate to get rid of your acne or oily skin, do not underestimate the importance of a healthy diet. Avoid too much junk food and drink plenty of water to keep your skin quenched – not drinking enough will lead to drier skin, and your body will produce excess sebum to compensate.
2.       Change Your Pillow Regularly

It may not be an obvious one, but if you tend to wash your bedding once a month rather than once a week, you are laying your face down every night on a pillow that is covered with dirt and bacteria. This leads to infections and so to spots. Your skin spends many hours a night in contact with your bedding so ensure that it is clean and fresh for perfectly clear skin.
3.       Moisturise

It is a common mistake to believe that if you have oily skin, you do not need to moisturise. Just as with not drinking water, not giving your skin the moisture it needs from the outside will make your body produce excess sebum to compensate and can leave your skin oilier than if you had moisturised in the first place. However, avoid moisturisers intended for dry skin as they will be too rich and creamy for your needs – look for a specially designed moisturiser for oily skin that is lighter than others.
4.       Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. You might think that only people with dry skin need to exfoliate but in fact, people with oily skin and spots need to do it more often than anyone else! By exfoliating, you are gently rubbing away the dead skin cells that would otherwise get stuck in your skin’s sebum and lead to spots. However, exfoliating daily can aggravate the skin so aim to do it around twice a week for best results.
5.       Avoid Heavy Make Up

When you are suffering from acne it is very tempting to try to cover the problem up with a thick layer of concealer or foundation. However this will only block your pores even more, and lead to further break-outs. Avoid makeup when not needed, such as if you are home alone, and for times you do want to wear it make sure that the product you buy says ‘non comedogenic’ on the label which means it does not block pores.
Michelle Star writes for Thea Skincare, a UK based online retailer offering 100% natural skincare products enriched with organic ingredients. If you are wondering how to get rid of spots without using chemical based products, try one of the specially designed cleansers for oily skin which both reduces excess oil and quenches thirty skin for a perfectly balanced, clear complexion.