Ananda Mahony
NaomiHelp for Clogged & Congested Skin (LINK)
December 9th 2007 23:45
If your skin is congested or you have clogged pores and blackheads there are a number of steps you can take to reduce these effects. Firstly, it is good to understand why your skin becomes congested. Each 3 or 4 weeks the skin replenishes the skin cells. This natural process creates a layer of dead skin cells over the surface of the skin. If not removed, the dead skin cells create dull looking skin. The other thing that may happen is that the dead cells will plug the pores on your face and create congestion and blackheads. When combined with excessive sebum production, this can lead to the formation of white-heads and pimples.
The key to stopping congestion and clogged pores is to ensure the top layer skin remains clear by regularly removing the dead skin cells. There are a number of very effective products you can use to remove dead skin cells.
Regular use of facial exfoliants or scrubs will help clear dead skin cells that block pores. Exfoliation is necessary at least once a week (twice depending on the degree of congestion). Removing the top layer of dead cells will also allow your moisturiser or serum work more effectively as it comes into contact with live skin cells rather than dead ones.
There are a couple of things to look for in a good exfoliant. The most obvious, although it is surprising how many people ignore this, many facial scrubs are too harsh to be used on delicate facial skin. Look for a very fine, soft exfoliant as your facial skin is soft and delicate. A harsh scrub may actually scour the surface of your skin much like a scrubbing brush and this can actually damage skin cells. Use gentle exfoliants that have a “polishing” effect rather than a scrubbing effect. Ingredients such as finely ground oats, linseeds, almonds and cinnamon.
Fruit enzymes are another way of clearing dead skin cells. They work as a result of their ability to break the bonds between dead skin cells that form at the surface of the skin. Skin normally has a dead layer of cells at its surface (the corneocyte layer), and fruit enzymes can speed up the normal process of skin cell regeneration and sloughing. This results in increased flexibility of the skin as well as decreased formation of large dry skin flakes at the surface of the skin.
Pineapple and papaya proteases loosen the glue between dead skin cells, slough away impurities, dead skin cells and unplug the pores while delivering nutrition to the skin. This leaves the skin cleansed and silky smooth and reduces the likelihood of blackheads. Fruit enzyme ‘peels’ only need to be used once or twice a week for good effect
Removing dead skin cells is a key step in clear, vibrant skin. Done regularly you will notice a difference in the texture and level of congestion in your skin.
Ananda Mahony ND is a holistic skin care specialist. Ananda has an organic & natural skin care store in Brisbane: Vitale Natural Skin Care
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