Uneven Skin Tone {Skin Care}

If at any point of time, you find that your skin is getting darker and patchy without any reason it should be so and without any external signs, then the reason can also be due to the deficiency of hemoglobin or iron in the body. So, pump up your iron intake and you can even check out your HB count and visit a doctor to get iron supplements if HB count is less than 10. Iron deficiency can lead to uneven darkening of the skin so take care of your diet which is very crucial step in maintaining healthy skin. And, don't forget to apply sunscreen regularly.

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How much sunscreen do you apply? {Sunscreen}

I have read so many reviews on other blogs and sites especially on sunscreens. And, I have found out one terrible mistake which people make - amount of sunscreen to be applied for proper protection. Many people apply a drop of the product or equivalent. That got me thinking about the amount of sunscreen which should be applied for optimal protection. And, then, I came across a comment in facebook by Renne Rouleau which said that two finger length amount of sunscreen should be applied to every part of the body. 

So, I tried to find more about what is the ideal amount of sunscreen which should be applied. And, the information I came across was correct. If one applies amount of sunscreen which can be traced along the length of their middle finger, they get adequate protection of 45 minutes and if they apply the amount traced across both their index and middle finger, they get optimal protection of 2 hours and 15 minutes. And, this amount of sunscreen has to be applied to every part of the body. The body is divided into 11 parts - face and neck, upper back, lower back, chest, stomach and waist, both upper thighs and lower thighs including feet. So, you need to apply two finger length amount of sunscreen for every part of the body for optimal protection. And, sunscreen has to be applied every half hour according to the article I am referring to.

PS: The information provided in this post has been taken from this article. Kindly refer to it for more details. The link to this article was shared by Tanveer of Addicted to Blush so very thanks to her!!!

So, how much of this advice do I follow? Ok, no, I do not reapply any sunscreen after going into the sun. Not even during my vacation. And, I apply only a finger length amount to my face and neck. May be it is pretty less but frankly the products is so heavy and makes my skin so oily that there is no scope for reapplication unless I wash off my face and do the whole routine again which is again quite an impossible thing. But, how so ever much one might be diligent with sunscreen application and reapplication, it is always best to stay out of sun. I try to follow that rule most of the times :)

PS: This article is relevant for chemical sunscreens. 

READ MORE - How much sunscreen do you apply? {Sunscreen}

Marie Veronique Goodies

Sunscreen

samples

Hey All!! I just wanted to share with you that I had won the Vivawoman MVO giveaway and recently received their goodies which came with 3 samples of course. Marie Veronique Organics is one of the rare organic brands which makes physical sunscreen and I had since long wanted to try it so I am extremely happy to have got these products and their reviews will be coming in time.

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Remedy for Sunburn {Reader's Tip}

So, Tanveer posted this remedy as a response to my post yesterday on "How to treat Sunburns?".

"I find applying either a 10% vitamin c soln or a zinc oxide cream brings down the redness inflammation quite rapidly"

You can read this post on how to make a 10% Vitamin C solution on Tanveer's blog and for a Zinc Oxide cream, she uses Rashfree by Pfizer which was recommended by a dermatologist so if you are suffering from any skin problems or are already on medication or something, you should consult a dermatologist before starting with any cream of drug grade.

Btw, just sharing what I know. Zinc Oxide is found in Boroline cream too but the quantity is only 3% so I am not really sure how much it helps with sunburns. Or, it is also found in Lactocalamine. Ok, not that these will help with sunburns but the two easily available products with zinc oxide in them. And, I have tried to get the powdered zinc oxide from the medical stores but it wasn't so easy. So, in case you might just ask them for a cosmetic graded zinc oxide.

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Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock {Product Review}

I love this sunscreen to bits and pieces. 

Price: 450 INR for 88 ml (thanks Gautami!!!)

Ingredients

My Experience

This is the best sunscreen I have used till date. I have tried lots and lots of sunscreens and have always hated everyone of them. This is the only one I have been consistent with in usage. It is definitely very expensive so it goes only on my face and neck. Biotique sunscreens are great for my hands and other parts of the body so it works out to be complimentary solution. It doesn't get oily, keeps the face matte and oil free completely. I have stayed with this suncreen for four hours under the sun literally. And, at the end, my face ended up with just a wee-bit of oil which was a combination of oil and sweat. Then, I have used it during my vacations on the beach and in the hills and it gives great protection all round. Since it is spf 50, I leave it for around 4 hours and my skin hasn't tanned a lot (may be a little). Reapplication after 4 hors is obviously necessary. 

The texture is very sheer so if you spread even a little bit of sunscreen on your hands, it feels very creamy. It spreads very easily and gets absorbed easily. If you are applying it in little quantity, it gets absorbed soon but if you apply it in a thick layer, then it takes around 10-15 minutes to get completely absorbed. Now, let me point out one thing. This product is a sunblock not a sunscreen (even though I have used that word). I prefer sunblock to sunscreens coz sunblocks don't get absorbed into the skin. Instead, they stay on the skin and deflect the sun's rays. So, technically, you can apply a sunblock and go into the sun immediately. What I fail to understand is that why should this be, then, applied 15-30 minutes before sun exposure. I would love an asnwer to this question and would ask Neutrogena people to answer it. Another problem with the product is that it stings in the eye so be very careful while applying it in the eye area.

My Recommendation

You should definitely buy it. Sunscreens are very important and spending on a good one is well-worth the cost.

PS: I had intended to point out that this sunblock is not moisturizing at all but it slipped from my mind while writing the review. Thanks to Dhanu that she reminded me. The sunscreen might be moisturizing enough for oily skins but combination, normal and dry skin need a moisturizer before using the sunblock. 

READ MORE - Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock {Product Review}

I know my skin type!!!

Ok, so this may sound really weird coz I have been blogging about beauty since more than a year and till now, I was unaware of my skin type which is one of the most basic principles of beauty - identifying your skin type. I always though my skin was dry, then I came to the conclusion that it is normal to dry and then, I thought its just crazy, gets oily when it feels like (under hot sun and I sweat a lot) or dries up in winters sometimes like really crazy. But, lately, I have been really analyzing my skin. Its very simple if you pay attention but we sometimes simply tend to ignore taking everything we know for granted. I have big pores around my nose and my nose is generally shiny so obviously I have a combination skin and everything I apply on my face makes me greasy so I could have concluded this long back!!! Anyways, better late than never :) But, even now, I can say that I do have skin which tends to be more dry. 

In all this, I have realized one thing - skin type has to be deduced almost very periodically. Our skin texture changes in every season (even on a day-to-day basis during seasonal changes or any other health conditions) and also due to the products we use. Seems pretty obvious, I know but when it comes to applying we fail. So, we are having summers now. Will our skin go drier or oilier??? You never know!!! So, keep it light in the morning and heavy at night. Ok, if you don't have a cooler or an AC (which I am completely against, it makes you lazy!!!), applying anything on skin can make you feel suffocated and hot. Oils are a big no-no in the summer time, though, I am still using my facial oils. Go for serums and hydration lotions and do suggest me some, please!!! Both face moisturizers and body lotions. I am out of both and have no idea what to go for coz every thing seems so heavy and thick. And, invest in blotting papers (do tell me where you got yours :D). 

Btw, if you are looking out for sunscreens or sunblocks, do consider Neutrogena coz they have really great sunscreens - ageshield if available in India is good otherwise the other one with spf 50 is amazing. Review would be coming in the month of May. It is costly but worth it. Do try out the sample before buying but it suits oily and combination well. Not sure about dry skin so do give it a shot!!! And, grab your sunglasses and full sleeves cotton clothes or elbow-reaching gloves and scarves and umbrellas and bottle of water whenever you step out of your house and enjoy!!!!! Btw, don't forget to analyze your skin and identify your skin type correctly.

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Drink, Drink and Drink - Summer Skin Care

Ok, so summers are really here. And, Hyderabad is already blazing and it will blaze even more in the months to come One thing I have noticed is that my level of hydration has suddenly reduced. I am drinking less water and my skin is becoming parched real soon. Yes, the evaporation levels are high in summers so obviously to compensate this loss of water, we have to drink extra amounts of water. Right??? So. how many glasses of water are you drinking????

Ok, here I would really like to make a point. Is drinking water alone sufficient to keep the body hydrated?? Because, I have a little theory about water levels in the body. I might be wrong but here it goes - our body flushes out unnecessary things, right?? So, if we drink excess of water which body isn't able to store so obviously we make more trips to the loo. And, then, somewhere I read that excess water also flushes out certain minerals and vitamins out of the body which seems plausible and total whacky theory at the same time. A doctor or a skin care can reply better to this. Well, if you can, please feel free to clarify.

So, whatever be the case but I certainly think that drinking water alone is not gonna help much in hydration levels of the body because it has to be done from inside. So, it also depends a lot on the type and amount of food we are eating. Eating hydrated foods will definitely help improve the levels of water in our body. What I am saying is to load up on the foods which are full of water - cucumbers, radishes, onions, watermelon, tomatoes, oranges, all kinds of grapes and berries and fresh green leafy vegetables which have huge amount of water in them. All of these are full of water and taste really good. So, combine them with your regular water intake and see the difference. And, of course, do not forget green tea because you would need anti-oxidants to fight the free radicals created by the sunlight. Oh, and don't forget the sunscreen :)

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What should you know about sunscreens?

Referring to my earlier post on Sunscreen for anti-aging skin care, I would like to add my recent personal experiences. In the above-mentioned post, I have talked about the physical sunscreen to be better than chemical sunscreen because of the various harmful chemicals present in them.There was a bit of information I forgot to include. The chemicals present in the sunscreens (chemical or even micronized and nanonized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, for that matter) get absorbed by our skin and they form deposits in our body and produce free radicals which accelerate aging in the body. So, contrary to the popular belief, sunscreens do not prevent aging. But, they do protect you from harmful sun rays which can cause your skin to become dark and develop dark spots or patches and even, skin cancer. 

Speaking of the protection from sun, I have till now tried some 3-4 herbal, physical or natural sunscreens and believe me, they did not provide proper protection against sun. So, I had to ultimately switch back to chemical sunscreens. And, for the time being, I am quite contended with these sunscreens because they do take care of my skin very well. And, regarding the free radical generation within the body, I am taking care of it through my nutritional needs. Drinking green tea, eating lots of fruits (specially rich in Vitamin C) provide lot of anti-oxidants which can fight against the free radicals. So, I would advise you to take care of your skin problems inside and out. And, sometimes, being natural is not an option. Before I forget, I'll repeat it here again: eat lots of tomatoes and spinach (all green leafy vegetables) to increase your skin resistance to sun's rays. 

A note at the end: I have tried both over-the-counter products available at the stores and prescription-based products and have found dermatologist prescribed sunscreens are much effective. So, I would advise you all to go for a visit to a good dermatologist and get yourself a good sunscreen. Please choose your dermatologist very carefully.

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Sunscreen: Role in anti-aging Skin Care {Beauty Product}

Aging is the biggest worry of everyone. No one really wants to be old. Even, I dread my birthdays though I wait for them whole year. I remember how I felt when I turned 18 and then, at 20 and now, I will be hitting 24. The clocks and years seem to be running. But, yes, you can turn the years back. Follow the tips I am going to talk about today and see the results for yourself in a month. 

Sunscreen

No one can ever stop talking about its benefits for your skin. Sun is the biggest enemy of our skin. The hypes UVA and UVB are for real and their effects can range from simple skin disorders to skin cancer. So, do not take sun for granted. Apply sunscreen religiously and reapply after every 2 hours. Try to stay away from sun between 10 and 4. The rays are the strongest and at their worst.

If you are outside, stand in shade, put on a hat, cover yourself completely. Do not worry if you look like thief or a militant. Its really important. In any case you are concerned about being a fashion disaster, you can buy wide-brimmed stylish hats or learn to tie scarves in an elegant manner. And, wear well-fitting full-sleeved T-shirts or tops. They look elegant.

If at home, do not close windows and doors to stop the sunlight. Allow your house to be filled with as much natural light as possible. It is good for your health and very hygienic. The sunlight cleans our surroundings. But, remember that UVA comes theough windows also. So, never forget to wear a sunscreen while at home too.

Use a high-factor sunscreen like 30SPF. It is ideal for Indian climate. High-sunscreen factor gives you a better protection for a longer time. But, no matter what, you have to apply it after every 2 hours.

Speaking of sunscreen, there is a very important thing which has never been emphasized. Many people are sensitive to light and they do not  even realize it. They get certain skin disorders which are never diagnosed correctly. Recently, I went down with a skin disorder and consulted a dermatologist. She said that I am sensitive to light and am supposed to protect my skin from the light emanating from the tube lights and floroscent bulbs too. They also emit radiations which are harmful for our body. So, either switch to filament bulbs or cover your skin well under the lights. Do not let the direct light strike your skin. You can sit behind a curtain or some covering. And, sleep with your lights switched off.

Type of Sunscreens

Sunscreens are either physical or chemical.

Chemical Sunscreens are ones which you are supposed to apply 30 minutes  prior to going under the sun. They create a film on the skin and prevent the absorption of sun's rays into the body. So, they have to be applied a little prior to sun exposure and they should be applied as close to the body as possible. It is often best that only sunscreen is applied on the face. They have many compounds like Avobenzone, Benzophenone, Oxybenzone and many more.  These compounds get absorbed into the skin easily and affect the body internally. Read this article to know more about it.

Physical Sunscreens provide physical protection to the body. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are the compounds found in physical sunscreens. They can be applied just as moisturizers and you can immediately go in the sun. They do not have the dangers involved in chemical sunscreens. But, beware of the nano particles of titanium dioxide used in the products. They enter the blood stream and create havoc in the body. It is extremely toxic.
But, unfortunately, there is no natural sunscreen which can provide resistance from both UVA and UVB as effectively as the commercial sunscreens. Thus, my advise would be that you can buy a sunscreen whose key ingredient is zinc oxide. It would be the safest bet.

Foods you can eat to improve your body resistance to sun's rays

And, eat lot of tomatoes and spinach. Both of them have capacity to increase the body resistance against sun's rays. Do not forget other green leafy vegetables which also provide resistance against the sun. Increase your resistance internally and externally to sun.

READ MORE - Sunscreen: Role in anti-aging Skin Care {Beauty Product}

Cancer & the Corporation

Just when you thought that breast cancer was the only cancer with corporate sponsorship with questionable motivation and focus--here comes a story from the New York Times on what happens when skin cancer joins with Neutrogena. I read it today in the Chicago Tribune, which cut the 1,200-word story in half. (See NYT story in Comments section.) Headline: "Doctors Balk at Cancer Ad, Citing Lack of Evidence." Neutrogena paid for a public service announcement on skin cancer, to run in 15 women's magazines this summer. The message: Use sunscreen and "if left unchecked, skin cancer can be fatal."

T'ain't that simple, say public-health doctors. Says one: "We have some pretty good evidence that sunscreen will reduce your risk of the less lethal forms of skin cancer. There's very little evidence that sunscreens protect you against melanoma"--which causes most skin cancer deaths. He adds that even though more more people are getting skin cancer screening, the incidence of melanoma has risen.

The American Cancer Society came up with the ad message and one ACS official says, "We've taken some license."

Neutrogena is a division of Johnson & Johnson, "whose sunscreens carry the society's logo," the Times points out.

Some of us are old enough to remember the Johnson & Johnson ads urging us to use baby oil to tan when we lay out in the sun. And that's what we did. But apparently we don't have to feel so guilty for it, because even if that practice makes us more vulnerable to skin cancer, it's not the kind we'll die from. So that's good news.

Meanwhile, Cancer Bitch slathers on sunscreen for reasons of vanity. She has light patches on her hands that don't tan. It's called vitiligo. And is the least of her problems. Still the patches show up more in summer (as the adjacent skin tans, despite the sunscreen).

READ MORE - Cancer & the Corporation