by Alyssa Jacobs
Our skin is one of the first things that people notice about us when we meet. That’s why billions of dollars are spent every year on a variety of different products that aim to improve the quality of our skin. Yet, there are a number of different ways we can go about improving our skin without breaking the bank to do so. While some of us are naturally more prone to skin problems such as acne, most of us can do a great deal to prevent acne and improve the overall quality of skin by simply adding integral ingredients to our diet and changing a few behavioral habits. A little bit of creativeness and ingenuity can also go a long way in helping us find cost effective solutions to our skin problems. Simply employing the tips below should really help you cut costs when it comes to skin care.
Exercise
This may sound counter-intuitive to some as many of us view exercising as a big contributor to acne. The logic goes that exercising causes sweat, sweat causes the clogging of pores and the build up of bacteria, and these two things cause acne. Yet, you can effectively negate the negative effects of exercising simply by being sure to shower and cleanse shortly after a workout.
There are two reasons that explain exercise’s positive effects on skin. The first is a product of exercise’s ability to reduce cortisol levels throughout the body over time. Cortisol is a hormone in the body that is excreted in response to stress. One of the side effects of cortisol is the increased activity of sweat and oil glands that can lead to the development of acne. Reduce cortisol levels, reduce the secretion of oils and sweat, and reduce the amount of acne. Exercising also improves blood flow throughout the body which will help give your skin a more lively, fresh appearance.
Vitamins
Vitamins can do a number of different positive things for you skin and can be obtained by simply adding certain foods to your diet. Vitamins C and E have been proven to reduce the effects of aging and decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles. This is due to vitamin C and E’s role as an antioxidant. An antioxidant neutralizes free radicals throughout the body. Free radicals are chemicals that strip (and thus destroy) electrons from molecules such as DNA and are obtained by the body in a number of different ways, including prolonged sun exposure.
Obtain vitamins C and E by eating nuts, green peppers, olive oils, spinach, and seeds. Biotin is a b-vitamin that plays a fundamental role in the production of new skin cells and can be obtained by eating eggs, bananas, rice, and oatmeal. Biotin will help your body eliminate acne faster by encouraging the growth of new skin cells.
At Home Remedies
Most of us likely have effective acne and skin care products in our refrigerator. I have found that using at home skin care remedies is really about trial and error. You have to find those products and combinations that your skin is going to positively respond to. Yet, there are several products that so many people have had success with that they’re definitely worth a try. For example, yogurt can be used as an effective way to soften your skin and keep it moisturized. Many people apply a yogurt facial mask on a daily basis. Lime juice has also been known to be an effective acne treatment. For those with sensitive skin, you may want to soften it up with the addition of water or baking soda.
Couponing
Using coupons is often the most underrated way to save money. While planning a big trip to the grocery store might make couponing time consuming, you can easily find simple online offers which can cut your skin care costs in half. The coupon site retailmenot.com has some great skin care coupons. When you are paying for skin care products from a retail store, usually you are paying an average of 30% more than you need to. That 30% is the retail markup, and can easily be avoided by a quick look for coupons.
Generic Brand Options
Generic medicine is becoming widely accepted for effectively treating health conditions. This includes treatment of acne. The fact of the matter is most acne treatments share most of the same ingredients that help to keep your skin clear. Checking labels to find what the active ingredient is a great way to match generic brands with the pricy “brand name” treatments. This can give you insight to what medicines work best for you, and more importantly you can save a lot more money over time.
One downfall you might find is that brand names offer different products with usually some sort of “three step process.” This can include, but not necessarily limited to, a face wash, revitalizing toner, and repairing agent. So, you are going to have to do a little more shopping around the first time to match exactly what the brand names have to offer in each product. But once you find you generic product combination that suits your needs, you will save money and fight acne all at once.
Skin care costs can be overwhelming at times. Companies know we need skin care, so companies will charge accordingly. The good news is you can find ways to save money if you know where to look, and have the right tips. Shop around a little bit, engage in a healthy lifestyle, and find the right combination of products and home remedies that work best for you. When you are ready to make your purchases, don’t forget to look around for coupons. Cutting the cost of skin care isn’t as hard as you might think, and clearer and more radiant skin is just around the corner.
(This article was written by Alyssa Jacobs who writes for Acne Centre, a website that gives you the top three acne treatments for 2011.)
Another great natural home remedy to get rid of acne is taking raw garlic cloves. Garlic is like a natural antibiotic. You can eat two cloves with your meal once a day.
Turmeric also helps. If you do not use turmeric in your food already, try taking turmeric capsules. Both turmeric and garlic are anti-inflammatory and also have an antibacterial effect.
Getting rid of acne is easier than you think, especially if you use natural home remedies to get rid of acne as listed above.