The skin around our eyes is the most fragile piece of skin on our body. Our skin is the thinnest around the eyes, and this is why they are affected easily.

The term ‘puffy eyes’ refers to swelling of the skin around our eyes, and could be caused by several factors. It is caused when fluid collects in the tissue that surrounds the eyes. There are several home remedies for this problem, and the measures taken are similar to that of any other kind of swelling.

What Causes Puffy Eyes?

Puffy eyes can be caused by any one or a combination of the following factors: lack of sleep, aging, stress and tension, crying, allergic reactions, drinking too much of alcohol, sinus problems, wearing contact lenses too often, hormonal changes in the body and physical tiredness. Apart from the causes mentioned above, puffy eyes can also be a genetic problem for some people.

How do you Prevent Getting Puffy Eyes?

The best solution to avoiding puffy eyes is to prevent getting them. This can be done by getting eight hours of sleep every night, and at a regular time; drinking at least eight glasses of water a day is a must; avoiding physical and emotional stresses; decreasing the amount of alcohol you drink; and the usage of skin moisturisers that do not have toxic substances in them. If you wear contact lenses, it is important to take them off before you go to sleep, and clean them thoroughly before you wear them again.

Fluid retention can be caused if your eyes are on the same level as your body when you sleep; to avoid this, you can keep your head at a slightly elevated position, so that lesser fluid can collect in the tissue near your eyes.

Reducing Puffiness

There are several beauty tips that promise to get rid of the puffiness in your eyes; the good news is that it is easy to reduce puffiness with the help of home remedies alone. All it requires is that you follow these remedies regularly, and manage your lifestyle well.

1. Wash your eyes with cold water. After this, take some slices of cucumber (grated cucumber will do too) and put them on your eyes. Keep this on for a while until you feel the cucumber has lost its coldness and freshness. Take the cucumber off your eyes and wash your face again. You can also use potatoes in the place of cucumber.

2. Make two teabags moist by dipping them in water. Place these teabags in the refrigerator for a few minutes. Take the cold teabag and keep it on your eyes for approximately five minutes.

3. Keep a spoon in your fridge, and then place it against your eyes. You can also use cotton pads dipped in rose water. Make sure you keep your head above the level of your body so that the fluid can drain downwards.

4. Apply a soothing cream with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera around your eyes every day to reduce puffiness. Vitamin E and Aloe Vera are very good for the skin, as they help it regenerate from any damages.

5. Puffy eyes can be caused by lack of sleep, or disturbed sleep. Avoid any mental stimulation before you sleep. Sleep at the same time everyday, and have a glass of warm milk to help you relax. Do not read or watch TV for about half an hour before sleeping. Instead, just unwind, and you will sleep better. Getting restful sleep avoids puffiness in the eyes.


Prevention of puffy eyes can be undertaken using a good mosturiser found in most department stores, within their beauty products sections. But follow these simple steps and your should be well on your way to clear and bright eyes with no bags.

If you take a look at the beauty products on your sink and in your shower, do you even recognize any of the ingredients? Most of our beauty products are made of tons of artificial ingredients and chemicals. Since “going green” and using natural products is so popular now, it’s time to make some changes in your beauty routine, too.

Organic and all-natural beauty lines are expensive, though. If you truly want to use natural products, it’s time to take a look in your kitchen. Lots of eco-friendly beauty lines contain food ingredients, and you can go straight to the source. Here are some things to try.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal works as an awesome natural face scrub, and it will exfoliate your skin beautifully. Just whip up some instant oatmeal with water, and don’t over-cook it because you want the oats to be a little coarse. You can add a few drops of honey, and spread it all over your face (it should be a paste-like consistency). Leave for 15 minutes and rinse. Your skin will be softer, smoother, and more hydrated.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a versatile natural beauty product. You can use it as a face wash, or put it on cotton balls and use it as a makeup remover. It’s also a great conditioning treatment for your hair. Just work olive oil into your hair, wrap with a towel, and shampoo about 20 minutes later. Your hair will be soft and shiny. You can also use a tiny (very tiny!) bit on your hair every day before going out. It will help smooth flyaways, improve the looks of split ends, and add shine.

Lemon Juice

Dip your fingers in lemon juice, and any stains from nail polish or every day nail abuse like washing dishes will be gone. Your nails will be left looking shiny and bright. You can also use lemon juice as a conditioner in the shower. After your normal shampooing, rinse your hair with a cup of lemon juice for healthier, more manageable hair.

Salt and Sugar

You can use salt and sugar to exfoliate your hands and feet. Mix it with olive oil or a little honey, and rub into your skin; it will be left smooth and moisturized. Just don’t use it on your face because it’s a little too harsh for skin that sensitive.

Cucumbers

What they say is true – cucumber slices on the eyes is a wonderful beauty treatment. Cut thick slices of cucumber and place over your eyes for about fifteen minutes (perhaps along with an oatmeal facial). Cucumbers reduce redness and puffiness in your eyes.

Honey

Honey is another great beauty product that can be used in many different ways. It works well to condition your hair. Just apply some after shampooing and rinse (it won’t be sticky). You can also use honey in many other natural beauty treatments, such as by adding it to an oatmeal facial, an olive oil conditioning treatment, or an exfoliating scrub.
-----------------------------------
Georgia Williams is a fashion expert and writer who often blogs about everything from style tips to getting great deals on cosmetic brushes.
Photo Credit: bour3

When you are on a diet or are conscious of the amount of calories that you are consuming at any given meal, you will be on the lookout for tasty foods that have a low calorie count. You can also combine different foods that each has low calories for a different taste and to make your food interesting. Some of the foods that are tasty but have a low calorie count are given below:

Plain Yoghurt and Fruit

You can prepare a snack of pain yoghurt which has a lower calorie count than the flavored one. You can combine it with a small portion of fruits such as a cup of strawberries which is 50 calories or a peach which has a calorie count of thirty calories only. Use plain yoghurt such as the Chobani Greek plain yoghurt which has only 12 calories in four ounces.

All Vegetable Soup

This soup has a number of low calorie ingredients that make for a tasty and filling soup.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 2 carrots
• 2 cups cauliflower
• 2 cups broccoli
• 2 zuchinni
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 cups of swiss chard
• 1 stalk of celery
• 2 teaspoons of thyme
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

MethodPut the vegetables, garlic and thyme in a soup pot. Cover the pot and put high heat. When it boils, uncover the pot partly then simmer the vegetables for another 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley, salt, pepper and lemon juice.Remove and serve.

Crackers and Cheese

Use whole wheat grain crackers so that you can reduce the calorie count. You can eat about 10 medium sized crackers with reduced fat cheese not more than three quarter an ounce. This tasty snack is healthy and you will get proteins, calcium and fiber from the whole wheat grain.

Zucchini Noodles

This can be used as a low calorie alternative to pasta and it is tasty as well as filling.
Ingredients:

• 2 zucchini
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of black pepper

MethodPeel the zucchini into long ribbon like stripsTake a large skillet and heat it. Add the olive oil and zucchini strips.Saute the zucchini strips for three minutes then season with pepper and salt.Serve with low calorie fresh tomato sauce.

Chinese Hot and Spicy Green Beans

To make green beans tasty, you can use low calorie natural spices which will transform them to spicy
Ingredients:

• 16 ounces of green beans
• 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of grated ginger
• 2 tablespoons of garlic
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil

MethodMix the vinegar together with the soy sauce, sugar, and the amount of chili flakes that you desire.In a large skillet put a ¼ cup of water and let it boil in very high heat then add the beans and cook for three minutes. Drain any water left then add the sesame oil, garlic and ginger on low heat. Stir constantly until the beans are browned and so that the garlic doesn't burn. Add the soy mixture and cook for another two minutes. Remove and serve while hot.

Daniel Carter is an expert who specializes in skin care and beauty. He writes fro many health websites related to health niche.

Not everyone has great skin by nature, sometimes it takes a lot of work to accomplish this. In order to make your skin look more beautiful, there are a lot of tips you can use. These are going to take some dedication and commitment, but they aren't very difficult.

1) Eat More Vegetables and Fruits

Vegetables are recommended at five servings per day for a reason. These are packed full of essential vitamins and nutrients that the body needs. When the body has all these nutrients, the skin is going to benefit. It will get rid of toxins, glow from the minerals and feel softer as well. Eating fruits that are full of antioxidants is also great for the skin. These will clear out toxins so your face looks clear and younger.

2) Get More Sleep

The skin repairs itself when you go to sleep. If you aren't getting enough rest at night your face is going to show it in the morning. This will make your skin look dull and lifeless. In addition to this, dark bags will start to appear and deepen underneath the eyes. Lack of sleep can also result in the skin developing wrinkles much more quickly than it would have otherwise.

3) Use Sunscreen Each Day

4) Use Skincare Products

5) Take Makeup Off

Robert is skincare and healthcare expert that has a lot of experience with dermatology. He writes many articles for Acne24.Net, which is a website that contains comprehensive skin care information. Visit the website if you want to read about the best acne treatment and other useful information.

piecemeal

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/