Parabens are basically synthetic preservatives that are used in personal care products as well as cosmetics, and foods. Parabens let skin care products to stay good for about a month and sometimes even a year. However, you should also know that skin care products with parabens enter your body and blood stream via your skin when you use them. Parabens can imitate hormones and disturb the functioning of the endocrine system.

Be aware of parabens in your skin care creams

Parabens are able to imitate estrogen and disturb the hormone system in the body. Excessive exposure to estrogen might enhance the risk of breast cancer. Studies have shown that concentrations of parabens have been found in human breast tumors. Endocrine disruptors can cause testicular swelling in young boys. However, this did not determine whether the cause of the tumors was the parabens present in skin care products.

The problem is that parabens are cheap and hence most big beauty skin care companies use parabens. That is why most people these days are in search of paraben free skin products. There are many great paraben free products available in the market which works equally well like their mainstream counterparts who indulge in the practice of using parabens.

One of the well known natural skin care brands that offer paraben-free products is Vivoderm. A Los Angeles based beauty skin care company. You can get a wide range of products under which you can use without any worries. These are absolutely natural based products made from non-toxic elements that help to treat your skin in a better way. So, next time when you are buying skin care products check the label and steer clear from buying products with paraben.

If you want to have  glowing skin which makes you look glamorous all the time, a balanced diet acts as the perfect recipe. You need to have a balanced diet for a healthy skin and nourish it appropriately. There are various types of requirements which cater to a balanced diet. But you need to approach it in a disciplined way to get the right results. You can certainly get in touch with a professional dietician for this purpose rather than making decisions on your own.

While there are thousands of products on the market today to cure or prevent acne, bellow are some natural remedies you can start using right away from home. Start first by cleansing your face to rid of oil and dirt before you apply the remedy listed below.

Oranges and Lemons
Oranges and lemons can be very effective in treating acne. Simply squeeze an orange or lemon juice onto a cotton pad or a small towel, and then dab it onto the acne infected areas. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with water. This acid in the citrus juice will minimize your pimples and take the redness away after a couple of days.

Raw potato
Simply slice a raw potato and rub it on your acne areas. The vitamins in the raw potato help rid redness and improve your complexion. The potato properties actually break down the bacteria causing acne.

Some natural anti-acne products you will find in the market are Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera, Zinc, and Vitamin A and have been used with some success to cure acne. A word of caution about ‘natural’ skin care items. They often contain certain chemicals for preservation purposes. Some of these may not be advisable for you if you’re pregnant or have certain special health considerations. As mentioned, it is best to consult with your doctor before embarking on any therapy.

Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is obtained from the Melaleuca alternifoliais tree from Australia. It is very effective against acne as it contains bacteria-fighting substances called Terpenes. Acne is often caused by bacteria and the Terpenes either outright kill them or weaken them enough to be destroyed by protective antibodies. There are very little side effects from using Tea Tree Oil.

Aloe Vera
The watery gel from Aloe Vera plant is also a highly effective natural cure against acne. The enzyme-rich gel has very soothing anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It can also be taken internally and helps clean up and detox the digestive tract. This in turn can help clear up the skin.

Zinc
Zinc is taken in the form of capsules. It helps to strengthen the human immune system and to repair the skin.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A tablets are also a natural and effective acne cure. Vitamin A promotes healthy skin.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E also helps in countering acne. It is a natural antioxidant and beneficial for the skin. Vitamin E comes in soft gelatin capsules that contain Vitamin E, Soybean Oil, Glycerin, and Water.

Some Natural Homemade Cures to counter Acne
The most important thing to do if you suffer from acne is to drink at least four pints of water every day. Drinking water is very beneficial to your skin. Don’t forget to include fresh fruit and leafy green vegetables in your daily diet to bring about a marked improvement in the quality of your complexion.

Before bathing, apply a mixture of pure tomato pulp – fresh from the tomato– honey and rose-water to your face and keep for twenty minutes before washing off.

At night, before going to bed, apply a mix of cream, glycerine, and lemon juice to your face and again keep it on for a short while before washing.

Regular Yoga exercises will also improve skin and overall health.

Things to Avoid
Avoid touching your face all the time, keep your hair away from your face, and avoid picking at pimples.

If you are prone to acne try to avoid using heavy make-up –it is preferable to avoid make-up altogether until your skin can heal itself.