Soaps-some facts about them

Health and hygiene are important for the very existence and well-being of mankind. Hygiene without soap is as unimaginable as breathing without oxygen. When soaps are rubbed on the skin, a little of it separates and unites with the grease of the skin. It also softens the superficial layers of the skin and facilitates their removal by water. This is the reason behind the fresh feel we get after a bath.

Why is soap used?
Our skin gets enveloped in layers of dust, grime and dead cells in which bacteria and germs thrive well, also giving it an unclean dull appearance. To avoid this,soap is used in conjunction with water to clean the skin. The function of water is to wet the skin. Now the soap can be worked into a lather which disperses dirt and grease, enabling it to be washed with additional splashes of water.

Soap-flip side
While washing away the dirt, soap has a drying effect on the skin. So excessive and frequent use of soap should be avoided. It can strip the skin of its protective coating and make it vulnerable to infections. Again, if after using a soap, the skin gets irritated or appears shiny, it is not suitable for you.

Types of soaps
We have toilet soaps, scrubbing soaps, laundry soaps, carpet soaps, medicated soaps, aroma therapy ‘body bars’ and several more soaps flooding the market. There are also special soaps for babies, cleansing gels and face washes too. Body soaps are available for our canine friends too! The present craze for herbal products has been extended towards soaps also. Soaps with Neem, lavender, sandalwood and other essential oils are also available. New additions are soaps with fruit and flower essence and fragrance – peach, apple raspberry, cherry, aloe vera , almond etc.

Toilet soaps are also available as bottled body wash. Liquid soaps are also widely used for washing hands, especially at hotels, clinics, airports and other public places. Medicated soaps are used for skin problems: sulphur soap is used for scabies, naphthol soap for psoriasis and soap with carbolic acid for antiseptic effects. Glycerin soaps being mild are mostly prescribed for those with dry skin.

Points to remember while selecting a soap:
* Choose a soap which suits your skin type.
* The soap should have a mild perfume or color. Strong perfumes might be used to mask odor of substandard fat. Again, dark color might be used to conceal the dirty color of other harmful ingredients.
* If a soap causes allergic reaction, then discontinue its use immediately.
* Soap with a good percentage of olive oil is good for baby’s skin.
* Soap with a high percentage of moisturizer is good for winter, in summer, a lemon or lime-based soap is more refreshing.

See also: Baths/ Shampooing your hair/ Body Odor /About deodorants and anti-perspirants

The ache of acne (pimples)

Acne is often the bane of a pretty face. It is painful more emotionally than physically, for the scar that it leaves behind can last for a lifetime, adding to one’s miserable look & feeling. No doubt many expensive skin care clinics have mushroomed in ever nook & corner, offering to clear all the scars & blemishes on the face, but they are very expensive & charge exorbitant price for each sitting; not everyone can afford them. So why not try out this simple skin care regimen to minimize the damage caused by acne & as far as possible prevent its eruption.

Natural remedies for dark circles around your eyes

Dark circles around your eyes. How unsightly they look and even your best dress and layers of make-up sometimes does not quite succeed in concealing them! Blame it on your genes or your lifestyle, but, you cannot deny the fact that these are a blot on your beauty . And they become more prominent as you age. Let’s just debunk some of the myths as well as unearth some of the facts about the causes of these ‘ panda eyes ’. Dark circles under eyes usually are temporary and not a medical concern. You may be surprised to learn that fatigue usually isn't the cause of dark circles. Instead, the most common cause is nasal congestion. When your nose is congested, veins that usually drain from your eyes into your nose become widened (dilated) and darker.

Home remedies for common cold

Common cold is a very common malady which affects people during monsoons. (Also see the post Beauty and body care in monsoon for a monsoon beauty regimen.) It can be caused by any one of more than 200 viruses. Normally it is confined to the nose and throat although the virus can infect the larynx and lungs. It is said that there is no particular cure for colds, they are naturally relieved within a week. Treatment is just an attempt to relieve its symptoms such as headache, stuffy nose, sore-throat and congestion. Paracetamol tablets are generally taken to get relief from these symptoms.

Beating stress – some tips

It is very difficult to come across a happy, contented face in a crowd these days. Stress has become a way of life with people these days. Sure, we all need to be a little tense once in a blue moon. After all it acts as a positive force and helps us get things done. But when tension becomes a habit with us and we are unable to cope up with it, we say we are undergoing stress. Some people are simply born more tense than others. Children of over-anxious parents generally grow up to be more anxious than the others.

For a good night's sleep

Everyone of us, at one time or the other has been pestered by sleep problems. Sleeplessness could be transient and short-term or chronic. When it becomes a chronic problem it takes the form of insomnia and requires special attention. The first noticeable signs of poor sleeping habits are dark circles under the eyes pale skin, hair loss. Getting enough sleep is a must. Without proper sleep, your mind does not work as clearly and efficiently. You feel drained physically and mentally. Exactly how much you need to sleep depends on your own individual internal system. While some can do with 4-5 hours; most of us need 7 to 9 hours of sleep. But instead of reaching for a pill or a glass of wine, it’s wise to try out these time-honoured remedies and lifestyle changes.

Comments

Anonymous11:27 AM
use camper soap they have special shampoo and conditioner too! and it 's good for the environment cost more then normal stuff but it's natural meaning the bugs won't be as bad smell the chemicals they put in the stuff we normally by!
Malini9:06 AM
The soap I’ve found to be best for my face is Dead Sea Mud soap from Adovia. It is expensive, but the bars last a long time…and what price wouldn’t you pay for a safer, better product?