She found this bit of information so helpful, that till this day she continues to tell other people about it. Here is the secret I let her in on, as well as a couple of others that are just as important to know when it comes to using a facial scrub.

Secret #1: Apricot scrubs are not good for your skin! As a matter of fact, any form of nut or shell scrub is actually more harmful than not for your skin. The reason is very plain and simple. The granules produced by seeds and nuts are rigid and abrasive. Although these granules are very small, they are tough enough to actually cause scratches and tiny tears to your skin. With extended use and over time, your skin will become sensitized and prone to premature aging due to this rough treatment. A great alternative facial scrub is one made of jojoba microbeads. Jojoba microbeads are smooth and round wax beads which offer a gentle, yet effective exfoliation. Cornmeal and rice powder scrubs are also excellent choices and are suitable for all skin types.

Secret #2: A facial scrub can be used daily and in addition to other facial exfoliants, such as peels and masques. So long as you are using the appropriate scrub for your skin, daily application of your facial scrub is beneficial and highly recommended. Regular use of a facial scrub will keep your skin polished, smooth and bright.

Secret #3: A scrub should NEVER be used on acne skin! Despite what your scrub may indicate, i.e, “formulated for Oily/Acne Skin”, it is imperative not to apply the scrub to your breakout. The act of massaging an abrasive solution against your blemishes will only spread bacteria. The result is further breakout and the endless cycle of acne. Rather than a scrub, treat your acne with an AHA, glycolic, enzyme or benzoyl peroxide treatment.

Some or all of these skin care secrets may be old news to you. However, you would be surprised at how many people are unaware of this information. I know that old habits don’t die hard, especially when it comes to dropping the beloved apricot scrub. But these three skin care secrets are simple to follow and extremely beneficial to the health of your skin – so spread the word!

When it comes to exploring foods that can help cure acne,  I’ll explore more about what foods to avoid, or cut back on, that help curb the appearance of acne.  There are a few pieces of advice that can be given when it comes to what foods help cure acne and part of it is about what foods to avoid and the other part is actually about what foods help cure acne.
Pay attention to what you eat when it comes to acne!  Also it’s important to remember that acne affects different people in different ways.  What works for you when it comes to what foods help cure acne may not work for someone else.  But here are some generalizations that can be made to give you some guidance.

Dairy Foods and Acne

It is a fact that some females are affected by dairy products and the presence of dairy products in the diet of a woman that cannot handle it can result in acne.  If you notice acne in a female then try cutting out the dairy in their diet, with consultation from a doctor of course and see if that helps.

Refined Sugar Foods and Acne

There is a long standing debate about whether or not refined sugars and almost all of the processed foods Americans eat are causing acne.  For a long time the answer seemed to be that these foods did not directly cause acne and it was difficult to determine whether or not they actually added to existing acne problems.  However, in the absence of hard medical data you can take observational data and come to some conclusions. 

In parts of the world that did not eat processed food acne almost did not exist.  Then when those parts of the world started to get processed foods, either through development of their civilization or as aid from other countries, acne would start to flourish.  Now many doctors are agreeing that processed foods and foods with excess sugar are contributing to acne.

Fruits and Veggies and Acne

Just like your mother told you, eating your fruits and vegetables are what foods help acne.  They are not the only foods that can help cure it but in a discussion about what foods help cure acne fruits and vegetables top the list.  The vitamins and minerals that are found in fruits and vegetables make them great treatments for acne and if you can eat them raw then that will help a lot because raw vegetables retain those important vitamins and minerals. 

While changing your diet may not cure your acne, you can help reduce the effects of acne on your skin by eating healthy foods.

I highy recommend reading Dr. Perricone’s book, The Wrinkle Cure. Dr. Perricone’s books guide us through a healthy diet towards better skin for a variety of skin problems.

The Wrinkle Cure: Unlock the Power of Cosmeceuticals for Supple, Youthful Skin is one of Dr. Perricone’s first books written to help guide us to beautiful skin through a healthy diet as well as his extended line of patented anti-aging skincare products. Dr. Perricone is a firm believer, as am I, that healthy skin cannot be achieved by the use of skincare products alone. In The Wrinkle Cure, Dr. Perricone makes a strong emphasis on the importance of a well-balanced diet, exercise and adequate hydration. He also explains how your skin will be rewarded with anti-aging benefits by introducing certain supplements to your diet, such as anti-oxidants, alpha lipoic acid and vitamin c ester. In addition to defending the skin from free radicals and premature aging, these supplements and many others mentioned in the book are vital to the overall health and appearance of your skin. The Wrinkle Cure will also name Dr. Perricone’s “Ten Superfoods”, which have been proven to work against certain health issues like diabetes, obesity and aging.

Secondary to changes in your lifestyle, The Wrinkle Cure will teach you all about how to determine and care for your skin type, how and why your skin ages, and how the above mentioned supplements plus many others can and will change your skin for the better when taken both internally and topically. You will also learn what skincare products are most beneficial to the health of your skin. In The Wrinkle Cure, Dr. Perricone proves to be a true advocate for proper skincare by not only introducing his own line of anti-aging and anti-inflammatory skincare products, but also a long list of skincare products from fellow skincare lines. I really found this aspect of the book to be extremely informative and professional on his part.

The Wrinkle Cure offers insightful skin care advice in a way that is easy to understand. I highly recommend this book to those who are truly interested in learning the process of our skin and how to make lifestyle changes in order to maintain the skin’s optimal health. If you are looking for a “quick fix” to reversing the signs of aging or the name of a secret “miracle cream”, then this is not the book for you. If you are serious about taking care of your skin from the inside out, you will find this book invaluable. The lesson to be learned from The Wrinkle Cure is how leading a healthy lifestyle, with consistent exercise, a well-balanced diet and daily care of your skin with proper skincare products, will help you to fight the signs of aging and continue to look and feel young.

It is not uncommon for a man to have skin that is naturally oilier than a woman’s skin. This is due to the fact that men have both larger sebaceous glands and pores. On the upside, this tendency to have more oil actually helps the skin to stay younger looking by prolonging the onset of wrinkles. For men, the trick to gaining healthy skin is finding a good balance between moisture and exfoliation. Shaving is a form of exfoliation, which is performed on a daily basis for the majority men. But do you also moisturize everyday? Most likely, the answer is no. That is where the imbalance comes into play.

So here’s my simple fix. Zia Natural Skincare is an excellent skincare line with products formulated especially for men. With three easy steps, even the manliest of men can achieve smooth, fresh skin.

1. For the lucky man who has been blessed with acne-free skin, there is Zia Natural Skincare ActiClean Face Scrub, the winner of Men’s Health Grooming Awards for the best face scrub. This natural facial scrub works deep down within the pores to clear out dirt and oil. Old skin cells are then removed to instantly reveal a more clean and smooth texture. If luck is not on your side and acne has taken control of your skin, then Zia Natural Skincare HydraClean Face Wash is the cleanser for you. This is a fragrance-free, gel-foaming face wash that too removes dirt and oil, while also soothing and hydrating the skin.
2. Zia Natural Skincare ActiShield Shave Gel, which is great for all skin types, uses botanical extracts and non-comodegenic essential oils to prevent razor bumps and breakouts. The skin is left feeling super cool and refreshed.
3. The final step is keeping your skin hydrated with the Zia Natural Skincare Dual-Action Face Lotion. When used immediately after shaving, this oil-free moisturizer will help to calm the skin. It is the perfect shield in the fight against aging and environmental damage.

So that’s it! A good cleanse of the skin before shaving with an all-natural shave gel, some moisturizer to seal the deal, and you’re done. Healthy skin on a man is a BIG DEAL! Not only will you see and feel a difference in your skin, but the ladies will too!