Oily skin starts for most people in their teens.  Some of us get over it , but others have the problem throughout their lives.  The source of oily skin is an overactive sebum gland, which produces the oil on the skin.  The main cause of oily skin is hormones.  The more hormones production a person has the more oil that will be produced.  This is the reason teens experience a lot of oily skin and oily face problems.  Hormones can flare up at other times as well like in times or stress or pregnancy in women.   Various other things can lead to oily skin, such as heredity, cosmetics used, and diet. 

Oily Skin Looks

Many people worry about the way oily skin looks.  The face is constantly shiny and greasy looking.  But excess sebum leads to other problems as well.  The pores of skin can become clogged with the extra oil.  Clogged pores lead to trapped bacteria and bumps.  People with oily skin experience more pimples and black heads. 

Too much oil on the skin can also lead to acne.  Bacteria and germs are attracted to oily skin.  The excess oil actually allows bacteria to grow and thrive on the skin.  Oily skin is one of the main causes of acne flare-ups. 

You have to treat oily skin carefully.  Some oil is necessary for healthy skin.  Many products and soaps actually take away too much oil.  While the skin may feel squeaky clean at first, more problems will follow.  Skin can become dry and irritated, and irritation can cause more oil to be produced.  It is best to opt for oil free natural products.  A gentle cleanser used twice a day is usually sufficient.  Look for natural ingredients that reduce sebum without stripping the skin.

The Different Dog Shampoos

You are using.  Not all dog shampoos are created equal.  And the wrong ingredients can lead to an unhappy itchy dog skin. 

Many dog shampoos do not have the proper pH level for dogs.  Dogs have the highest skin pH level of any mammal.  Proper pH is important to creating balance on the skin.  Most dog shampoos also contain chemical ingredients that may work to relieve itchy skin temporarily, but over time dry the skin further.   Many also contain fragrances, deodorants, and other unnatural additives that can be irritating to dogs skin.  

Quality dog shampoos can be found with natural ingredients.  Some of the best natural ingredients for dog shampoos are colloidal oatmeal, zinc PCA, Vitamin E, vitamin B, and biotin.  Colloidal oatmeal is excellent for sensitive dog skin.  It exfoliates dead skin cells and replenishes moisture.  Zinc PCA has been found to normalize the skin by regulating oil.  It also is able to gently cleanse away any bacteria and buildup around hair follicles.  Vitamin B and biotin have been shown to thicken hair.  Vitamin E is also very good for a dog’s skin.  It provides a lot of moisture without being greasy.  ]]> http://naturalskincaresite.com/?feed=rss2&p=5 0 http://naturalskincaresite.com/?p=1 http://naturalskincaresite.com/?p=1#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 02:38:39 +0000 Natural Chick http://naturalskincaresite.com/?p=1 Common Symptoms and Causes of Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A is another name for retinoids, chemical compounds used by our bodies for certain essential physiological functions. The classification “vitamin A” also encompasses organic pigments called carotenoids that are converted into retinoids by the body. Retinoids are considered preformed vitamin A, and convertible carotenoids (like the most well-known, beta-carotene) are referred to as provitamin A.

The effects and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency most frequently manifest in four areas of our health: the eyes, skin, hair, and immune system. Beyond these areas, vitamin A deficiency can result in less-localized and more generic symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, weight loss, dry mouth and nasal passages, and brittle nails.

Insufficient vitamin A intake, absorption, or use presents the most danger to our eyes. Likely symptoms include dry or inflamed eyes and diminished vision, particularly at night or in dimly-lit atmospheres. Prolonged vitamin A deficiency can lead to “night blindness,” the inability to see at all in these conditions. Retinoids ensure adequate levels of rhodopsin, a pigment in the retina responsible for the eye’s ability to sense dim light.

Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency will often manifest as worsening epidermal health. Dry and rough skin, increased acne, and premature wrinkles may all be signs of too little vitamin A. Another common symptom is a condition called hyperkeratosis. Hyperkeratosis can present in a number of ways (corns and calluses are both forms of the condition), but when it stems from a lack of vitamin A, it appears as goose-bump texturing, usually on the forearm and thighs at first. This is a result of the over-production of keratin, a skin protein that obstructs hair follicles.   

The health of our hair can also suffer from a vitamin A deficiency. Symptoms can include dry, dull, or stringy hair, as well as dandruff. Ongoing vitamin A deficiency can even lead to hair loss. Hair loss can occur over the whole body in cases where hyperkeratosis spreads.

Vitamin A deficiency can take a serious toll on our immune system. While vitamin C is widely perceived to be the most important for optimal immune system functioning, actual scientific evidence shows that vitamin A plays a far greater role in this aspect of our health. It is essential to tissue maintenance, mucous membrane operations (the immune system’s first line of defense), and it boosts white blood cell performance. Vitamin A deficiency leads to greatly-increased susceptibility to viral infections. In particular, respiratory and urinary tract infections can occur frequently in people with inadequate levels of vitamin A.

The most common cause of vitamin A deficiencies is insufficient dietary intake. Vitamins are not naturally produced by our bodies, so must be obtained from external sources. Preformed vitamin A—retinoids—are only obtainable from animal-derived foods. Beef, poultry, and fish livers are the most vitamin A-rich foods. Egg yolks are another key source of vitamin A, as are milk and other dairy products like cheese, butter, and yogurt.

Carotenoids, or provitamin A, are readily available from many plant sources to be converted into retinoids. Carrots, for which carotene is named, is the richest vegetable source of provitamin A. Dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale, swiss chard, and turnip, mustard, and collard greens are also excellent sources. Broccoli, asparagus, red bell peppers, sweet potatoes, summer and winter squash, tomatoes, apricots, cantaloupe, and watermelon are other good options for obtaining provitamin A. Some herbs, particularly parsley, basil, and oregano, provide carotenoids as well.

The liver is responsible for converting carotenoids into retinoids, and for storing vitamin A. Therefore, liver disease and disorders can be at the root of vitamin A deficiencies.

Other nutritional deficiencies can also cause vitamin A deficiencies. Vitamin A is fat-soluble, so deficiencies can occur as a result of an extremely low-fat diet. Protein and zinc are both necessary for the use and absorption of vitamin A, so diets lacking enough of either can deprive the body of the nutrient.

Just as too little dietary fat can lead to vitamin A deficiencies, the same is true of medical conditions that hinder the body’s absorption of dietary fat. Such conditions can include a variety of diseases, intestinal parasites, and chronic diarrhea (which has an extensive list of possible causes itself).

Some medications have been linked to vitamin A deficiencies. The clearest ties have been established with drugs for lowering cholesterol. These include pharmaceuticals categorized as HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (such as Lipitor and Zocor) and Bile Acid Sequestrants (like Cholestyramine).

While these are the most common symptoms and causes of vitamin A deficiencies, this article is not exhaustive, nor is anything herein necessarily indicative of a vitamin A deficiency. This article is solely for informative purposes. Only a doctor can diagnose, determine a cause of, and treat any nutritional deficiency. A well-balanced diet regularly incorporating some of the foods listed above is the single best way to prevent a vitamin A deficiency.