Category: Skin diseases

Cellulite

Tangerine Oil for Cellulite

Author ByMoin Nex

tangerine to fight cellulite

Cellulite is the most common skin disorder in women and men, which is caused due to fat deposits. Tangerine oil for cellulite is an inexpensive yet effective home remedy recommended by many beauty bloggers.

90% of women experience cellulite at some point of her life. Hips and thighs are most common spots where cellulite appears. Also known as adiposis edematosa and dermopanniculosis deformans, cellulite makes your skin look like cottage cheese.

Experts say that hormones, genetics, diet and life-style plays vital role in development of this fat. These factors start pushing the fat through collage fiber and get settled right under the skin. Luckily it’s not accompanied by any serious health ailment. But, it’s a great cosmetic concern for few people.

Over the counter medicines failed to fulfill their claims about treating cellulite and it’s not recommend as chemical ingredients in those creams may irritate your skin.

Natural nutrients and vitamins in tangerine essential oil can help to get rid of cellulite and enhance healthy functioning of the skin. (However, there is no strong scientific evidence to back this claim)

How Tangerine Oil Works for Cellulite?

This essential oil is extracted from the peel of tangerine fruit, which belongs to mandarin orange family. Renowned for its anti-fungal and antiseptic activity, tangerine oil can enhance your skin functioning. It can treat acne, dandruff, hydrate dry skin, dry scalp and other ailments.

  • Mercola.com says massaging tangerine oil over the muscles will help to fight cellulite.
  • Cytophylactic property in this oil helps to restore damaged tissues and fade scars, including stretch marks and cellulite.
  • Its tangy aroma and calming effect reduces stress and promotes healthy sleep.
  • Unwanted toxic compounds that may cause cellulite can be excreted through sweat, urine and excretion.
  • It aids to speed up metabolism, improve blood circulation and helps to release digestive juice.
  • Apart from massaging, you can also use it over minor injuries, wounds and minor burns to fasten healing process.

How to Use Tangerine Oil?

Excellent thing about this essential oil is, you can use it for culinary purpose, bathing and for cleaning house. But, make sure to consult an expert before using it internally.

  • First method: To fight cellulite and stretch marks, mix 1-2 drops of tangerine essential oil with 1-2 drops of lavender oil and 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. After mixing thoroughly, apply the oil over affected part.
  • Second method: Add one drop of tangerine oil in 5 ml of coconut oil or jojoba oil and massage over cellulite affected area.
  • Third method: Mix 5 drops of tangerine oil with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and massage over cellulite for 10 minutes. Let the skin absorb the oil to thwart toxins and improve blood circulation.
  • You can apply the oil over minor wounds and injuries to enhance healing and restrain bacterial infection. For internal consumption, add a drop of this essential oil in a glass of clean water and drink.

Avoid sun exposure after applying this essential oil, because ingredients in the oil may trigger allergic reaction if react with sunlight.

Note: Tangerine oil is safe to use during pregnancy to prevent cellulite and stretch marks. However, I recommend you to consult your physician before trying it.

Did you ever use tangerine oil for cellulite?

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Stretch marks

Use Lavender Oil for Stretch Marks

Author ByMoin Nex

Stretch marks can’t be prevented permanently and there is no cream or remedy to fade them completely. Lavender oil for stretch marks can help you lighten the appearance of these annoying lines and enhance healthy functioning of the skin.

Sudden weight gain or loss results in stretch marks. They may look ugly and sometimes embarrassing, but they aren’t associated with any health issue. It’s interesting that few people love these lines. However, great percentage of people tries to get rid of these streaks.

Excess stretching damages elastic fiber of the dermis resulting in red perpendicular lines. You can see a bunch of creams and steroids available to remove stretch marks, but experts say that none proved to be effective. They have very less impact on the scars, this include natural remedies. However, nutrients in innate ingredients can lighten the appearance of scars.

Also read: Lavender Oil for Skin Lightening

How Lavender Oil Can Lighten Stretch Marks?

lavender oil for stretch marks

Lavender oil is prominent for its calming and relaxing fragrance. It is one among the versatile essential oils that is being used in aromatherapy. Researchers say that lavender oil has significant use in medicinal and religious purposes.

  • Its exceptional healing properties speeds the healing of minor burns, cuts, wounds and injuries.
  • Antioxidant properties residing in this essential oil will combat with free radicals that can damage cell membrane.
  • Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity of lavender oil helps to restrain infectious bacteria.
  • Topically massage your skin with this oil, and nutrients in it will help you to fade wrinkles.
  • Ailments like insomnia, migraine, headache and stress can be reduced by this oil.

Its impact on stretch marks can be effective, if you use it regularly. Experts recommend applying essential oil over waist, stomach and shoulders regularly when you’re gaining or losing weight. Nutrients in this oil will enhance elasticity of the skin and thus may prevent stretch marks to some extent.

Pregnant women must consult their doctor before using lavender oil to prevent stretch marks.

How to Use Lavender Oil?

Pure lavender oil may or may not irritate your skin. Shirley Price an expert, recommends blending lavender oil with carrier oil like calendula oil before applying it over the skin.

Wash the affected part with water and pat dry. Now, topically massage the oil over the skin and leave it to dry naturally. Nutrients and vitamins in lavender oil will benefit your skin more than your expectation.

Another recipe: Mix 1/2 tbsp of lavender oil, 1/2 tbsp of chamomile oil with 2 tbsp of almond oil. These ingredients hydrate your skin; improve elasticity and helps cell regeneration to lighten the stretch marks.

Did you ever use lavender oil to get rid of stretch marks?

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Skin Whitening

Eucalyptus Oil for Skin Lightening

Author ByMoin Nex

Eucalyptus oil for skin lightening

Eucalyptus leaves are renowned for its healing and antiseptic properties. Oil extracted from its leaves is prominently known as eucalyptus oil. Cineole is a chemical compound found in this oil that has great medicinal properties and can effectively reduce inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic properties residing in eucalyptus oil can treat bronchitis, skin infections, relieve pain, boost immune system and can aid to get rid of cold. Assorted properties in this oil can help restrain bacterial infection and enhance healing; anyhow eucalyptus oil for skin lightening may not be effective.

Your sensitive skin gets its color from a pigment known as melanin. Due to external and internal factors, melanin production increases exponentially at different spots. UV rays, pollution, dead cells and dry skin all combine to form dark patches over the skin.

Eucalyptus leaves

Eucalyptus oil has antibacterial activity that can thwart bacterial infection and anti-inflammatory property can reduce pain. Moisturizing ability helps to get rid of dry skin and healthy functioning of the skin. But, to fade dark patches you must try something more effective remedy that include vitamin C. Eucalyptus oil can’t lighten your dark patches, however you can use it to heal minor wounds, injuries, insect bites and other skin ailments.

Initially, you must wipe the impurities and dead cells off the face. You can do this by massaging with raw honey, baking soda or sugar. Then apply gram flour face mask or honey lemon mask for 15-20 minutes.

Conclusion:

Eucalyptus oil can effectively treat skin and health ailments, but it may not lighten your skin tone effectively. You can try honey, cucumber, gram flour and milk powder for skin lightening.

Note: These home remedies lack scientific evidence, but thousands of people are using it as they see positive results. If you ever used eucalyptus oil for skin lightening, then please share your views in comments and let us know.

Image source: 1, 2

Skin Whitening

Mustard Oil for Skin Lightening

Author ByMoin Nex

mustard oil for skin lightening

Your skin gets its color from a pigment known as melanin. Skin tone turns dark due to few factors like UV rays, cosmetics, diet, hormonal imbalance, stress and dry skin.

Cosmetic industries manufacture skin lightening creams, but they are loaded with chemicals that can harm your sensitive skin. Though home remedies lack scientific evidence to back, people who tried gave positive feedback.

Mustard oil is an age old home remedy recommended by grannies for healthy skin. Apart from skin, you can use mustard oil for skin lightening, pimples, dry skin and for other skin disorders.

This pungent smelled oil is extracted from mustard seeds. Because of its healing activity you can use it for healthy hair, skin and body.

Benefits of Mustard Oil for Skin Lightening

Though cosmetic creams allure with their promising marketing lines, chemical ingredients in the cream cause side-effects. You must be realistic, don’t expect over night results by applying mustard oil. One of the best ways to keep your skin glow is to stay away from UV rays.

When you topically massage this oil, it improves blood circulation, restrains bacterial infection, stops fungal infection and helps to reduce body temperature.

How actually your skin turns dark?

There are many factors that lead to dark skin; hormonal imbalance is one among them. Excess production of melanin results in dark patches over various parts of the skin. Repeated exposure of sun rays and pregnancy also leave dark spots. This condition is popularly known as hyperpigmentation.

Though it’s a harmless skin condition, people out of cosmetic concern try to get rid of them. Though beauty cream, balanced diet and laser treatment can help you to achieve brightening skin (with side-effects), natural remedies is one the cost effective way recommended by many beauticians.

Instead of using mustard oil alone, experts recommend to blend it with other innate ingredients.

  • Mix equal amount of turmeric powder, sandalwood powder and saffron with mustard oil.
  • Before applying it over the skin, wash your face and pat dry.
  • Slightly massage the mask on the face and around the neck.
  • Leave for 20-30 minutes and then rinse it off.

Else simply mix mustard oil with coconut oil and apply it over the face for 10 minutes. Vitamin C residing in this essential oil will protect the skin from harmful UV rays, rejuvenate the skin, post pone aging wrinkles and stimulate healing.

Add besan, curd and few lemon drops to mustard oil and mix thoroughly. Apply evenly and leave it to dry naturally. Use cold water to rinse the mask.

Did you ever use mustard oil for skin lightening? Did it work for you? Please share your views with us.

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Psoriasis

Fish Oil for Scalp Psoriasis

Author ByMoin Nex

fish oil for scalp psoriasis copy

About 3 percent of US population is affected with psoriasis. It’s a chronic skin disorder that can appear anywhere on the body. This disorder occurs when your skin cells grow rapidly beyond the surface of the skin forming thick dry patches at different parts.

Most often parts include knees, elbows, legs, lower back, face, palms, fingernails, toenails and scalp. When psoriasis patches appear on the scalp, it is known as scalp psoriasis. This results in loss of hair and triggers rigorous itching.

Studies conclude that fish oil intake can reduce scalp psoriasis. Before dwelling deep into assorted elements in fish oil let me spell few more words about this chronic skin disease.

About Scalp Psoriasis

Most people confuse scalp psoriasis symptoms with seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff. Unlike dandruff this disorder results in thick silver flakes. Psoriasis may extend beyond the scalp and appear on forehead and behind the ears. According to National Psoriasis Foundation, about half of psoriasis affected people have the infection on their scalp. (1)

Unfortunately mere cause of psoriasis is still unknown and there is no permanent solution for this disease. However, using natural and over the counter medicines you can reduce symptoms of psoriasis.

Nation Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases states that, psoriasis is caused when T – cells mistakenly react with immune system and lead to inflammation and rapid growth of skin cells. Hereditary is another common cause of this skin disease. (2)

However, researchers don’t know why T cells trigger immune system and cause cell growth.

Also read: Neem oil for scalp psoriasis

Fish Oil for Scalp Psoriasis

omega 3 for scalp psoriasis

Though scalp psoriasis is identical to psoriasis on face, experts recommend different treatments because the skin on scalp is thick.

Mayoclinic.org states that psoriasis is less in people who include cold water fish into their diet. Study carried out in 2011 concludes that omega-3 fatty acid supplement shown significant improvement in scalp psoriasis. Fish oil and krill oil are two major sources of animal based omega-3 fats.

Experts say that excess consumption of omega-6 fatty acid may increase psoriasis condition. But, excess consumption of omega-3 fat will reduce this skin disease as mentioned in the report. (3)

Omega-3s exhibit anti-inflammatory property, which helps to reduce inflammation caused by psoriasis. Apart from this, other nutrients in fish oil can improve your overall health condition. If you don’t eat fish you can replace it by flaxseed oil or avocado oil to reduce psoriasis.

To treat psoriasis you can directly apply fish oil over the scalp or consume it regularly. Dr. Wilson Liao, a dermatologist at University of California, recommends adding salmon to diet instead of omega-3 supplement.

For topical application of fish oil, one must initially clean sliver scales on the scalp to improve absorption of the oil.

  • First method: Apply any oil to make the scalp damp, then using comb softly remove the scales. Rigorous combing can lead infection. Wash the scalp with shampoo to remove scales and then pat dry. When the scalp is still damp apply fish oil directly over it and leave it to dry naturally.
  • Second method: You can mix cold pressed avocado oil and concentrated fish oil for scalp psoriasis. But, remember to patch test small area before trying.
  • Take both oils in equal quantity. Initially, apply avocado oil after removing silver scales. Then apply fish oil on the same spot and leave it to dry naturally. (4)

Remove excess oil with a clean cloth. The oil penetrates deep into the skin and fights inflammation. Don’t expect over night results. It may take weeks to months to see positive results.

Along with topical application, you must consider internal consumption of fish oil. Else include oily fish to your diet.

Important Tips

  • Avoid scratching your itchy scalp, it will worsen the psoriasis.
  • Remember to be gentle while applying fish oil and other medications.
  • While removing silver scales comb softly and use scale softener to clean the scalp before treatment.
  • Don’t get depressed and stress yourself. Stress will increase psoriasis condition.
  • Avoid food that can trigger psoriasis, like red meat, dairy products, fried foods and alcohol.

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Stretch marks

Mandarin Oil for Stretch Marks 

Author ByMoin Nex

I wonder why people opt chemical filled cosmetic creams on their sensitive skin, while there are naturally effective ingredients available in their kitchen. Few innate ingredients smell unpleasant and sticky, but when used topically they enhance healthy functioning of the skin.

Mandarin oil is an affordable essential oil that can effectively lighten the appearance of vertical streaks on your skin. This oil is extracted from the fruit commonly known as tangerine. Chinese traditional and modern medicines use mandarin oil for stretch marks.

When you gain or lose weight your skin stretches accordingly. But this extreme stretch tears inner layers of the skin leaving pink or red lines over outer layer of your skin. Though they are not associated with any serious health issue, people want to get rid of them out of cosmetic concern.

Unfortunately, you can’t treat stretch marks completely. However, topical application of essential oils can fade these annoying lines and give you a scar free skin.

  • Because of its healing properties, mandarin oil has significant use in aromatherapy to treat various health issues include stretch marks.
  • Antiseptic activity of mandarin oil restrains bacterial infection on your skin.
  • You can internal use mandarin oil blended with other citrus oils. Assorted properties in this oil improve blood circulation and this rejuvenates the skin.
  • Vitamins and minerals residing in this oil strengthen your immune system and stimulate fast healing.

How to Use Mandarin Oil for Stretch Marks?

Unlike cosmetic creams innate ingredients penetrate deep into the skin and enhance cell regeneration. If you can successfully improve elasticity of your skin, then you can prevent stretch marks. Anyhow, it’s not easy to repair broken tissue without leaving scars.

As mentioned above, you can lighten the appearance of these streaks and can’t permanently treat stretch marks using any remedy.

To make mandarin oil more effective blend other essential oils like almond oil, lavender oil and rose hip oil. Exceptional nutrients housed in this solution will not only fade stretch marks but improves your skin texture.

  1. Wash the affected area and pat dry.
  2. Blend mandarin oil, lavender oil and almond oil in required quantities. (Let say 10 drops each)
  3. Mix thoroughly and apply it over prewashed skin using cotton ball.
  4. Leave it for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off. You can preserve remaining blended solution for future use.

Along with this home remedy, you’re advised to practice a healthy lifestyle. During early stages of pregnancy apply this solution over your waist and over knees to improve elasticity of the skin. Nutrients in these oils penetrate and enhance skin elasticity.

Note: Pregnant women need to consult their doctor before using any home remedy.

Skin diseases

7 Calendula Benefits for Skin

Author ByMoin Nex

Flowers have significant contribution for beautiful skin. In particular, petals of calendula flower have been used to heal minor wounds and nourish the skin.

Also known as pot marigold, calendula benefits for skin are abundant. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities reduce inflammation and restrain bacterial infection. Besides being an excellent home remedy, calendula flowers can be added to salads, food and sweets for its brilliant color. In the Hindu world flowers are used to decorate statues of Gods and high personalities.

Calendula flower looks like this (below image)

calendula benefits for skin

Benefits of Calendula for Skin

Calendula flower is native to Asia, Western Europe and Mediterranean. Dried calendula flowers can be used to make tea to calm stomach pain. Because of its assorted properties, cosmetic industries incorporated this herb in their beauty products.

Calendula oil has similar medicinal properties like its flower. Calendula oil can be used topically to calm various skin ailments.

Below are few notable uses of calendula for skin.

  1. Enhances healing: Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory activity of this flower can promote fast healing of minor burns, wounds and injuries. Also regenerate new cells.
  2. Reduce inflammation: Skin ailments are accompanied by inflammation and swelling. Topically applying this calendula flower can relieve you from inflammation and promotes healing.
  3. Anti-aging: Nutrients in this herb can post pone premature aging wrinkles and infuse your skin with a glow.
  4. Acne: Topical application of calendula flower stops inflammation and reduce swelling of pimples. Its antimicrobial agents kill acnes bacteria.
  5. Moisturizes your skin: Topically applying this herb may lock moisture over your dry skin.
  6. Treats chronic skin diseases: Assorted nutrients housed in calendula flower can gradually decrease the effect of eczema, psoriasis and other chronic skin infections.
  7. Cell Regeneration: Active ingredients like iodine, carotene and manganese promote skin generation and fasten the healing process.

Calendula tea can be used to treat stomach ulcers, tooth infection and genital inflammation. Apart from using it for beauty, you can consider this herbal remedy to heal wounds, rashes, burns, insect bites and other minor skin problems.

Of all skin diseases, acne is the most common skin condition affecting about 80% of US population. Inflammation is the main cause of pimples or acne blemishes. Hormonal imbalance caused due to inflammation increases sebum production. Excess sebum gets clogged over skin pores along with dead cells and other impurities.

Anti-inflammatory agents can effectively reduce acne inflammation and also exfoliate your skin. As calendula flower has these essential properties it stands impeccable in treating skin ailments.

Not just acne, its antimicrobial properties can thwart any bacterial and fungal infection on minor injuries and wounds.

Eczema and psoriasis are two major chronic skin infections that can’t be treated permanently. But, using calendula flower you can get relief from scratching.

Most skin problems are raised because of dry skin. Naturally, your skin is surrounded by natural oil called sebum that guards skin from infectious bacteria.

External factors like harsh chemicals, soaps and creams remove this natural moisture from the skin leaving it dry. Dry skin triggers itching, which makes favorable condition for a skin infection.

How to Use Calendula for Skin?

You can get calendula oils and soaps from drug store. Else you can get dried calendula flowers and add it to other innate ingredients like almond oil, olive oil or honey.

  • 1/2 cup of dried calendula flowers
  • 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil

Steep dried flowers in olive oil for 28 days in an air tight container and strain dried flowers using a cloth and use the olive oil over your prewashed face.

Another method to use calendula flower:

Take 2 tablespoons of fresh calendula flowers and leaves. Put the herb in a bowl of water and boil the water. After 15-20 minutes strain flowers and leaves using filter and cool the water.

Wash your face regularly with this water; as all nutritional values listed above are transferred to into this water your skin becomes supple.

You’re free to use any innate ingredient with this herbal remedy. But make sure to patch test before trying it over the skin.

Important Note:

Though most natural remedies have no or less side-effect, repeated use of calendula flower may trigger allergic reaction over your skin. To avoid such irritants patch test on behind your neck or on hand.

Reach dermatologist if you experience allergic symptoms after using calendula flower on skin. Please share your views on calendula benefits for skin in comments.

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Stretch marks

3 Ways to Use Lemon for Stretch Marks

Author ByMoin Nex

When you gain or lose weight the middle layered skin breaks at different parts, which results in fine red lines over the outer layer of the skin. These stripes around the waist, knees or on thighs are known as stretch marks. Puberty, sudden weight gain or pregnancy can cause this disorder.

Stretch marks can’t be treated permanently; anyhow most of them fade with time. If you’re concerned about your physical appearance, then you can try applying creams, lotions or natural ingredients over these fine lines.

As creams are accompanied by chemical ingredients that can stripe moisture from the skin and make it dry, nature lovers recommend innate ingredients like aloe gel, turmeric, honey and lemon for stretch marks removal.

How to Use Lemon Juice Can Fade Stretch Marks?

lemon for stretch marks

Like innate ingredients lemon is packed with bleaching property, which can fade scars from the skin. But, remember acidic activity of lemon juice can make your skin sensitive. So, experts recommend applying sunscreen or wearing hat while going out in sun.

  • Exfoliating property in lemon sheds dead cells accumulated over the skin, which can reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
  • As mentioned above, lemon exhibits bleaching activity which can reduce the redness of these lines.
  • Antioxidants residing in lemon will thwart free radicals that damage skin cells.
  • Assorted nutrients in lemon juice will enhance collagen production and promotes regeneration of the skin cells.
  • As lemon is rich in vitamin C, it fades aging wrinkles and makes your skin brighter.

Now that you’ve gone through benefits of lemon juice and how it can help remove stretch marks, let’s check out how to use it on your skin.

1. Lemon and Water

  • Citric acid in lemon may irritate your sensitive skin. So, experts recommend diluting it with warm water.
  • Take fresh lemon and slice them into two halves.
  • Squeeze one half of lemon in a bowl and add required amount of lukewarm water to it.
  • After mixing thoroughly, apply the solution on stretch marks with cotton ball.
  • Apply the solution 2-3 times a week to heal or fade the stria marks.

2. Olive Oil and Lemon

olive oil

Olive oil is rich in nutrients, vitamins and fatty acids that can enhance elasticity of the skin and fades scars. Renowned for its moisturizing properties, olive oil can make your skin soft and bright. You can also add vitamin E oil to this solution.

  • After squeezing half lemon juice in a bowl, add 1 tea spoon of olive and 1 tea spoon of vitamin E oil to it.
  • Mix thoroughly and apply it over prewashed stretch marks using cotton ball.
  • Leave it for 15-20 minutes then rinse it off.
  • Else, apply it before going to bed and wash it off in the morning.

3. Aloe Gel and Lemon Juice for Stretch Marks

The sticky gel of aloe vera is filled with vitamins and nutrients which exhibits antioxidant, antibacterial properties and also enhance skin’s elasticity.

As mentioned above, stretch marks are caused because your skin fails to stretch with muscles. When you apply natural remedies like aloe, honey and olive oil, they enhance the elasticity of your skin and thus prevent further stretch marks.

  • Though you can get aloe gel from store, I recommend getting it by yourself. Take fresh aloe leaf and cut its skin after washing.
  • Now, blend aloe gel pieces with required amount of lemon juice and water (if required).
  • Get ready for the mask by washing your stretch marks and patting them dry.
  • Using cotton ball apply aloe and lemon mask over stretch marks and leave it.
  • Best time to apply this mask is before going to bed. You can wrap a soft cloth around the affected part after applying this mask.

Apart from this, you’re free to use any innate ingredient with lemon for stretch marks removal. But, do the patch test before using it.

Note: Pregnant women must consult their doctor before trying any home remedies for stretch marks.

Image source: 1, 2