To look gorgeous and graceful all that you have to do is spend little time every day for nourishing and caring for your skin. Learn how to achieve a lovely skin by following our face care Tips.

• HOW TO DEAL WITH PIMPLES (Acne )?
• SECRETS OF BEAUTIFULL AND HEALTHY SKIN
• TIPS ON FACE EXERCISE
• SKIN CARE TIPS
• TIPS FOR LIPS CARE
• TIPS FOR TEETH CARE

Acne is a common problem faced by almost all teen-agers and youth. What is acne and why do we get them. Acne is actually caused because of hormone imbalance. Your skin breaks out because of a hormone called testosterone. Both men and women havetestosterone in their systems. In fact, did you know that in order to make testosterone,boys bodies have to make female hormones first? If you have acne, you haven't got abnormal levels of testosterone. You've got skin that reacts abnormally to this hormone. You start producing testosterone around the time you start sprouting body hair. Testosterone tells glands in your skin, called sebaceous glands, to produce oily stuff called sebum. To add to the problem the inside of the tubes that hold each hair become gummy and get partially blocked - giving you blackheads. Put together if sebum blocks the tubes --- you have big acne.
So go to your pharmacist or doctor to get your acne treated. Here are a few tips that will help you know how to treat acne at home.

1. If you have red angry looking acne, don't touch it. If you squeeze now, all you'll do is force the contents deeper into the skin that will make matters worst. And all you'll end up with is redder, angrier acne than you had before. Don't do it.

2. If you have a yellow custard top? Go for it. These beauties CAN be squeezed but there's an art to it. Here's how. Wash your hands thoroughly to avoid trouble and infection. Put a tissue over your finger. Why? Because you want the contents of the spot on the tissue, not splattered all over the mirror. Using the side of your thumb and the end of your finger, very gently start to squeeze. Don't whatever you do, use your nails as this will damage your skin. Stop when you're applying a lot of pressure and nothing is happening and you see clear fluid, rather than yellow grotty stuff and the spot begins to bleed. When you've finished dab it with antiseptic. Once the custard bit is out, the spot will heal more quickly than an unsqueezed yellow top would, providing that you now leave it well alone. Now wash your hands again.

3. Whiteheads and blackheads. If acne is left untreated they may cause this problem. Here the rule is if they're black, squeeze but if they're small, white raised lumps leave them alone. All that stuff about clean hands, tissues and stopping if nothing is happening or you see blood, apply here too.

Tips for acne treatment

1. DON'T TRY TO WASH IT AWAY
Acne isn't caused by dirt. In fact people with oily skin have cleaner skin than average because they wash it more often. But it's a fact that washing too much can make acne worse because it makes the skin dry and sore. So, wash no more than twice a day, using mild soap and water. If you have patches of dry skin, don't worry about putting moisturizer on. It won't make your acne worse. If you're still concerned, use an oil free moisturizer.

2. DON'T NUKE 'EM
There are lots of over the counter creams, gels, lotions and potions. Most contain a powerful bleaching agent called benzoyl peroxide. You'll find the strength written on the label. You might be tempted to go straight for the highest sort, working on the 'let's nuke 'em principle. The likely result is that you'll irritate your skin like mad. It may also go all dry and scaly on you. But if you still are willing to bleach then use the mild one.

3. MAKE A DATE - THE TWO MONTH RULE
If you have been using over the counter remedies for two months and there is no real improvement in your spots, this is the moment to go and make an appointment with your doc.

4. YOUR DOCTOR - THE TWO MONTH RULE
The thing you are most likely to be given by the doctor is a prescription for antibiotics. These will either be topical (which means something you put on your skin) or tablets you have to take every day. Whatever treatment your doctor or pharmacist recommends, follow the instructions carefully and keep using for at least two months. There should be a noticeable improvement by this time. If not, go back to discuss other possible treatments Antibiotics are perfectly safe to take. You should take them for at least two months and then go back to your doc. If they seem to be working, he will probably tell you to keep taking them and give you some more. If they aren't doing their stuff, don't despair - he has loads of other spot busters in his black bag.

5. YOU ARE NOT AN ALIEN - BUT JUST BE PATIENT
Hundreds of thousands of teenagers seek help for acne. You are not alone. You are not an alien. And if people really care about you, they don't even notice your acne, however bad you think they are. But you will need to be patient. Most treatments take time to work. At least two months. And some treatments, like antibiotics will work well but may have to be taken for months, or even years.

6. THE MONTHLY COURSE... OR EXAMS
Acne does tend to get worse just before a period. It's because there is a surge in hormone levels at this time. But boys don't get away lightly either. Being hot and sweaty (particularly after sports like football) makes acne worse. And for everyone, stress - particularly at exam times - is a cue for a mega breakout. This is normal - and of course, even more reason for feeling stressed. Go chill. They'll get better - promise.

7. WATCH WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR SKIN AND HAIR
Some beauty products are big no-nos. These include pomades and defrizzing agents for hair that tend to cause an outcrop of blackheads along the hairline and some of the heavier cosmetics. And be wary of suntan oils. Not all will make you break out, but some may. Try a friend's first before you buy. By the way, the sun might dry up acne and a tan might hide them, but your skin is still vulnerable in the sun and needs protection.

8. CARRY ON EATING CHOCOLATE
It's a myth that eating chocolate and fried foods causes acne. However, eating a good diet improves your general well-being and this is reflected in your skin.

Common Questions asked about acne problem

Does wearing make up cause acne?
It is not necessary that wearing make up causes acne. Acne is caused because of hormonal imbalance mostly during puberty. But you have to take special care while you apply make up and thereafter if you have acne. Make sure you wash any make up tools, including sponges and brushes as often as possible as these become a breeding ground for bugs which can cause your spots to pop up. Stop wearing make up if you have too many spots and you can resume after you have treated them. Don't forget to clean the make up after you come home and and make sure you cleanse your face properly each night.

Do skin toner and moisturizer cure acne?
One thing that you need to know is acne is not caused by dirt, so no amount of cleaning and toning is going to get rid of them. So for treating acne you must consult your doctor and eat lots of healthy food and drink lots of water. That is the natural way to keep you face spot free.

Is it ok to do facial?
It can be a real treat to have the facial done, as they can be very relaxing and make you feel properly pampered. However, you should be aware that they should not be used to help 'treat' spots, as this can be quite dangerous if the beauty therapist is not trained. Sometimes a beauty therapist will also squeeze out any spots and blackheads that if it's not done properly, may cause a bigger problem than before.

What is the best way to cover up spots?
Foundation is okay to use and may give you more confidence if you've got a hot date, but remember to look for oil-free one. Whatever you use to put on your skin, wash your hands or sponge before applying foundation.

It is the dream of every woman to have a beautiful, fresh and youthful skin. The first step in looking younger begins with what you decide to put into your mouth. Your diet and lifestyle plays a major part in deciding the beauty of your skin. Most people think of a diet as being appropriate only for getting a beautiful figure, however eating the right kind of foods and following a proper diet will put you on the fast track to a healthy body and healthy and glowing skin. The secret to a beautiful, healthy and glowing skin is FRUITS. Include plenty of fruits in your diet and you will see the difference within a week. Fruit is essential for both inner and outer beauty since it enhances the beauty of your skin and hair.
What makes fruit so wonderful is that it is rich in skin and hair enhancing vitamins, acids, and enzymes. Fruit can be used in just about every beauty product to cleanse, freshen, tone, and condition our bodies.

Find out the characteristics of the following fruits and what wonders they can do to your skin:

Apples: Apples can used as great conditioner and toner. They have been used for centuries for their skin-healing powers. Add a cup of apple juice to your bath to cleanse and soften your skin. The juice of apple can be used as breathe freshener. Apple juice when applied to your hair scalp can prevent dandruff. Use as a final rinse after shampooing your hair.

Lemons: A classic home beauty ingredient, lemons are used to cleanse and freshen the skin and hair. Use lemon slices to soften rough skin spots such as elbows and heels. Lemon slices also help deodorize and mix a few teaspoons of lemon juice in your bath and you will feel fresh the whole day. Lemon juice can be added to your favourite cleanser or shampoo to refresh and tone your scalp. It also helps prevent dandruff.

Strawberry: Strawberry can be used for conditioning and skin toning treatment. They are rich in salicylic acid an ingredient found in many commercial acne creams and thus are the best treatment for troubled or teenage skin. Mix 1/2-cup fresh strawberries with a tablespoon of sour cream for a weekly facial mask. Eating fresh berries will also help whiten your teeth and keep your breath fresh.

Banana: Banana can be used for moisturising and soothing your skin and hair. They are rich in protein and natural fats and can be used by all skin types. An easy facemask that will make your skin smooth is to apply mashed banana over your skin and keep it for 15 minutes, rinse off with warm water and moisturize well. Mashed banana also makes a wonderful hair conditioner mixed with a teaspoon or two of honey.

Pineapple: Like papaya pineapples are also good skin softeners, which cleanse and rejuvenate dull and dry skin, especially for classic rough skin spots like knees, elbows, and heels. Use a slice of pineapple as you would a sponge or loofah to scrub your body in the bath or shower.

Papaya: Papaya is rich in natural enzymes and is the best treatment for cleansing your skin. For having a fresh and glowing skin apply the oaste of mashed papaya and 3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel and massage all over your body monthly. Leave on your skin for no more than five minutes and rinse thoroughly. Do not use on your face and avoid sensitive skin areas.

Peaches: Peaches are best for soothing and cleansing dry skin. Mash a fresh peach and combine with a tablespoon of plain yogurt to make a smooth paste. Apply on the skin and keep it for 15 mins and then wash off with cold water.

Face Exercise :
If you have those circles under your eyes, frowning and squinting left tracks on your face then here are a few face exercises that will help you look great and beautiful. By following these few exercises religiously you will have a young and dazzling look without going for surgery or face-lift. Let us begin with forehead. This exercise should be done 10 times daily to the count of six at a time.

Forehead :
1. Join your fingers together with your thumbs folded in and place your fingers near your temples i.e., where your scalp meets your head. Push straight up and hold and then, raise your eyebrows, hold for six counts and release.
Benefits: This face exercise removes the lines above the brow. It targets the muscles of the forehead and the muscles at the back of your head.

2. First, place the middle fingertip of each hand in the centre of each eyebrow. Pull the eyebrows apart or outwards, and at the same time try to frown. Hold for six counts. The next step is totally the reverse exercise. Place the middle fingertip of each hand in the centre of each eyebrow; push brows together or inward and at the same time raise eyebrows and hold.
Benefits: This face exercise helps remove the mark on your forehead and the area between the eyebrows. This face exercise targets the muscles right above the brow area.

Eyes :
1. Place the three centre fingers of each hand underneath the eye, pull down, and try to close your eyes. Hold for six counts and release.
Benefits: This face exercise eliminates puffiness as it targets the muscles under the eyes.

2. Place the ring and middle fingers of each hand at the outer corners of eyes. Pull the corner of the eyes toward the hairline and hold. At the same time, squeeze eyes shut; hold for six counts and then release.
Benefits: This face exercise helps remove the wrinkles around the eyes.

Cheeks :
1. Put your head back. Take your three centre fingers, place them on the apples of the cheeks and push down. At the same time, raise your cheeks as hard as you can by smiling.
Benefits: This exercise targets the muscles of the cheeks.

2. Put your thumb in your mouth right in the centre of the cheek and push. At the same time, bring the cheek back towards the teeth against your thumb. Hold for six counts and then repeat on the other side.
Benefits: This face exercise will fill out the cheek hollows, firm the face and lift.

Mouth :
1. Take your middle fingers and pull down on either side of your lower lip thus exposing your teeth. At the same time try to mope.
Benefits: This exercise tones the muscles around the lip area.

Chin :
1. Take your three centre fingers, pull the chin down and at the same time curl the lower lip over the bottom teeth.
Benefits: : This face exercise tones the muscles of the chin.

Caring for your skin requires a daily routine programme. You have to give your skin some time and repeat the process every day, no matter what. The good news is that this process only has to take five minutes and includes four easy and pleasurable steps. And if you have selected quality skin care products appropriate for your kind of skin, performing this simple regimen can produce almost immediate and visible results. So you should carry out this skin care regimen just before going to bed because it gives you the chance to clean your skin of all make-up and environmental residue it has gathered during the day.

STEP ONE: STEAM
The first step is to steam your skin in order to clear the pores of your skin. When your day is done, use a facial steamer or just soak a washcloth with steaming water, wring lightly and bring the cloth close to your face. Steam your face for 1-1/2 minutes. Let the steam penetrate to fully open your pores.

STEP TWO: CLEANSE
With your pores open, next splash warm water on your face and neck. Pour or work the appropriate amount of skin cleanser into your hands, then mix with some water to work it into a creamy lather. Massage this onto your wet face. Using your fingertips or a soft complexion brush, in a circular motion delicately massage your face for about 30 seconds, making sure to include your neck area. Then rinse with warm water and gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel. A tip: always try to use a cleanser specially formulated for cleansing your face rather than a generic kind of soap. And be careful to avoid the delicate skin around your eyes.

STEP THREE: TONE
Dampen a piece of cotton with an alcohol-free toner and gently wipe your entire face and neck area. (Alcohol-based toners have a damaging and drying effect on the skin). This step lifts away any residue that you might have missed and also closes your pores, preparing your skin for its moisturizing treatment. Alcohol-free toners are far gentler on your skin, which is especially important during the winter months. At this point, your face should now be squeaky clean.

STEP FOUR: MOISTURIZE
In an upward, circular motion, now apply a small amount of a moisturizer of your choice to your face and neck areas. Do not over apply, as too much can be worse for your skin. Only when your skin has been properly cleansed can your moisturizer work to condition, moisten and protect your complexion. Choose moisturizers, which have anti-aging ingredients and vitamins added to it.

A beautiful smile lights up a day. It makes your face more beautiful and lively.
Your lips are the most important and exquisitely sensitive part of your body. And therefore you have to take special care of your lips.

The common lips problems are:

1-Dark Lips
2-Cracked lips

1-Dark Lips
You will be surprised to know that our lips unlike most part of our body do not have any melanin pigment to protect them. Lips are covered on the outside by a thin layer of skin and on the inside by virtually transparent mucous membranes. Therefore it is necessary to take care of our lips and to eat well-balanced food and lots of fruits.

If you have dark lips you have to do the following………

1- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

2- Stop smoking.

3- Avoid lipstick.

4- Apply a layer of oil and leave it on for several hours. Best apply before going to bed.

5- Mix coconut oil and almond oil in equal quantity. Apply a coat of this on the lips and leave on overnight.

This has to be done daily for at least two weeks for best results.
Massage lips: Every night with a mixture of 1/2 tsp. Glycerine and 1/2 tsp. Castor oil with 1/2 tsp. Lemon juice and leave overnight.
Apply cream from curds with saffron on your lips.

2-Cracked Lips
Lips do not produce oil like our skin, because they have no oil producing glands. The skin on our lips is actually mucous membrane, so for them to remain smooth and chap free is a bit of a challenge. The most common cause of cracked lips are allergic reaction to cosmetics, skin infections, extreme weather conditions like excess sun and wind exposure, biting of the lips or a vitamin B deficiency.

If you have cracked lips you have to do the following………

1- Protect the lips from weather by applying heavy plain cream.

2- Avoid licking your lips.

3- To cure dry chapped lips apply peanut butter or coco butter to your lips before going to bed.

4- Grind rose petals with cream on the top of milk and apply on lips to cure the cracked lips

5- Take vitamin B, C foods in diet.

6- Mix 2 drops of glycerine with 1 tsp of cream on the top of milk and apply to lips to cure the chapped lips and keep overnight to get smooth and shiny lips.

7- Mix equal quantities of nutmeg, turmeric, and fresh butter and apply to lips.

8- Hot water fomentation, followed by a mixture of Vaseline and honey applied on the lips at least thrice a week will prevent lips from chapping.

9- Lips should be moisturized and exfoliated. Exfoliate lips with your gentle facial scrub using a toothbrush or just the tips of your fingers.

10- You can make a paste using baking soda and water to exfoliate lips as well. Work it for a minute and then rinse with lukewarm water.

General Care for lips

• Apply cold cream or moisturizer or lip balm before applying lipstick.
  
• To get natural pink lips apply beetroot juice before bed.
  
• Grind rose petals and apply on lips to get smooth pink lips
  
• Apply menthol based lip balm and take an old brush and brush gently on lips (don't rub too hard, because lip are very sensitive) to get rid off chapped lips.

A good smile catches the attention of everyone and increases your face value. However your smile looks more beautiful if you have sparkling white teeth. Therefore, it is important that you take care of those tiny pearls that make your smile so special.If you want to get the glitter in your smile then you have to learn to take care of your teeth. It is very important to take care of your teeth since it helps prevent formation of plague around the gums of teeth causing tooth decay and inflammation of the gums. Following are a few tips that help keep your teeth sparkling clean and prevent tooth decay.

Learn to brush properly:
Brush your teeth properly in order to keep your teeth scrupulously clean. It is important to learn how to brush properly. Move the brush from the gum to the biting edge, working the bristles between the teeth to dislodge food particles. Besides the teeth, the gum should also be cleaned. Massage them in the same stroke as brushing your teeth and give them an occasional extra massage, rubbing them gently in circular movement with a little toothpaste on your finger. Brush teeth systematically around the front and then the inside followed by a sawing movement across the tops of the teeth.

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  A good toothbrush is as important as the toothpaste. Hence it is important to choose shape and brand of toothbrush. A good one should have small angled head and soft to medium rounded bristles. This is important as it helps clean all those hidden areas of your teeth.
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  Always change your toothbrush after every 3 months.
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  Floss regularly to remove the plaque and food debris stuck between the teeth.
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  Use a mouthwash to make sure that your breath is fresh. Put a few drops in warm water and rinse your mouth after you clean your teeth in the morning.
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  Brush your teeth twice daily or after every meal if possible.
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  Visit the dentist regularly and this will help keep your teeth healthy.

Some home-made beauty tips that will keep your teeth sparkling clean

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  For sparkling teeth, rub them once or twice a week with a dried bay leaf (tej patta) or with table salt.
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  For bringing glitter in your teeth rub them with cotton wool dipped (and then squeezed out) in hydrogen peroxide. This has a slight bleaching effect. You can also make a liquid of these products by mixing two teaspoons of table salt and two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide in a large glass of warm water. Then wash your mouth. ·
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  If your teeth have stains, you can remove them by rubbing strawberries or putting three tablespoons of soda bicarbonate with two tablespoons of salt.
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  To use as mouthwash take ¼ cup of vinegar, ½ cup wine, ½ cup honey, and 1 teaspoon of powdered cloves and boil them. This works as an effective mouthwash.