• Mineral Oil. This oil has been used in literally hundreds of products. Mineral oil may also go by the alternative names liquid paraffin, paraffin wax and petrolatum on the product label. Mineral oil is used pervasively in skin care products as a moisturizing agent due to its low cost. Mineral oil, once applied, is meant to ‘trap’ moisture in the skin, but once applied, actually prevents the skin from “breathing.” As such, it clogs pores, interferes with your skin’s natural ability to eliminate toxins, and can lead to acne flare ups. Also, it is irritating to the skin and if used for any length of time, your skin can become dependent on it, causing chapping and dryness. Lastly, it can lead to premature aging of the skin.

• Dioxane: (a synthetic derivative of coconut). This substance is widely used in skincare products. It often contains high concentrations of 1,4-dioxane, which is readily absorbed through the skin. In the State of California, 1,4-dioxane has been reported as “known to cause cancer.”

• Fragrances: No one wants to smell bad, but if you want to be on the safe side, you are better off choosing an organic essential oil or diluted cologne, hydrosol or even a bodyspray. Your skin care products typically contain chemically engineered fragrances to mask the unpleasant “chemical odor” of the foundational product itself. Many of these masking fragrances are produced from ingredients that are known to be toxic or carcinogenic.

• Parabens: methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl paraben. Many skin care products (and moisturizing products) will use parabens as a preservative so their products have a long shelf life. The reason is purely economical. However, studies suggest that they may cause cancer and interfere with the body’s endocrine system, as well as causing allergic reactions and skin rashes.

• Alcohols: ethanol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and SD alcohol. Not all alcohols have the same properties, but these, which are commonly found in skin care products, are very drying and irritating for the skin. Alcohols such as these strip away the skin’s natural acid mantle, making you more vulnerable to bacteria, moulds and viruses. Its important to note some alcohols are used beneficially in acne treatments.

Normal Skin
You have many mask options if your skin is normal. That is, if dryness or breakouts are of no real concern for you. You can use one that will give you radiance, one for deep cleaning or a gentle one for sensitive skin. Regardless of how “normal” your skin may be; you should see overall benefits of radiance and balance from using a weekly mask.

Oily or Combination Skin
Those with oily or combination skin do best with regular use of a clay mask. Clay is great for removing excess oil, deep cleaning your pores and preventing and clearing up blackheads. Natural clay is a great detoxifying treatment for your face without leaving your skin extra dry. Most clay masks work well with sensitive skin.

Dry Skin
Dry skin conditions require a mask for a very different reason than those with oily skin. You are not looking to reduce oil, but add moisture. Using a moisture mask will rejuvenate and rehydrate your skin. Many masks for dry skin require you leave them on longer than other masks for maximum effect. You leave the mask on your skin for up to 10 minute and then moisturize slightly with it before wiping off the excess. You will notice smoother, softer skin immediately.

Dull Skin
For a boost of radiance, try an exfoliating mask, but be careful to make sure the grain is not too coarse or you could cause skin tissue damage. You could try a peel off mask, which are actually kind of fun – like peeling off glue – this will help exfoliate your skin by removing the dead layers of cells, but again, be careful not to pull too harshly and tear tissue. Many exfoliating masks use fruit extracts such as papaya or pumpkin to naturally exfoliate. These tend to have a slight acidic range to them and may sting your skin just a little when you apply them. The scents are always quite pleasing though. You should see noticeable results within a few applications.

Mature Skin
To firm up wrinkled or sagging skin on the face and neck, look for moisturizing masks meant for dry skin or a specified “firming” mask. A firming mask will boost your skins moisture content, which will reduce fine lines caused by dehydration. This will give the appearance of a more youthful, firmer face. Massage onto your face and leave for about 10 minutes before you rinse off.

Vitamin C – Vitamin C or ascorbic acid acts as an antioxidant and is considered vital in wound healing because it aids in stabilizing collagen. When applied topically, vitamin C can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and may lessen the severity of sunburns.

Vitamin E – Vitamin E is another antioxidant that shows to have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. When applied topically, vitamin E has been shown to improve moisturization, softness and smoothness and also provides modest photo protection.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) – AHAs are designed to smooth fine lines and surface wrinkles, to improve skin texture and tone, to unblock and cleanse pores, to improve oily skin or acne, and to improve skin condition in general.

Glycolic Acid – Glycolic acid is the most active and beneficial of the Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids (AHAs) in skin care. Once inside the cells, the acid triggers new formations of collagen to plump cells and the ground substances in the skin to reduce wrinkles on the skin’s surface. Glycolic acid is proven to be very effective in the treatment of acne as well as in cosmetic uses.

N-6 furfuryladenine (kinetin) – The nature-identical plant growth factor, furfuryladenine, retards the aging of plant cells as well as in vitro human skin fibroblasts. This natural, anti-aging ingredient has been proven to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and is exclusively found in Kinerase creams and lotions. This is a proven alternative for people with sensitive skin or people who are sensitive to products containing Retinol and Vitamin C.

Copper Peptides – Copper Peptides are the latest scientific breakthrough in skin rejuvenation. Copper has been found to naturally firm the skin, enhance elasticity, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Pal-KTTKS – Pal-KTTKS is an effective ingredient for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It’s found to promote a smoother, younger complexion quickly, without with out expensive and painful chemical peels, surgery or injections.

Green Tea Extract – Green tea’s anti-inflammatory and anti-growth qualities are found in many skin care products designed to reduce the appearance of puffiness, wrinkles, fine lines and large pores.

TNS – The biotechnology of the skin’s natural healing process has arrived with the first tissue repairing complex containing growth factors found in normal, healthy skin. Unlike anything else currently on the market, TNS is the next level of skin rejuvenation that delivers dramatic results, for smoother, softer, younger looking skin.

While fatigue is commonly assumed to be the cause of dark under eye circles – surprisingly the correct culprit is nasal congestion. According to medical experts, when your nose is congested, veins that normally drain from your eyes into your nose become widened (dilated) and darker. Dark circles can also result from chronic skin conditions such as eczema or be hereditary.

Another cause of under eye circles is due to swelling while you sleep. When you lie down, gravity allows fluid to collect in your lower eyelids. Sometimes, this swelling may create the appearance of shadows below your eyes.

Over the counter products may help diminish dark circles under eyes. Look for skin creams that contain vitamin C or K, alpha hydroxy acid or kinetin. If you suffer from chronic or severe under eye circles medical treatment may be required. Treatment will include examining the underlying causes and may involve bleaching agents or laser therapy.

Natural eye creams may include exotic herbs, plants, minerals and a variety of vitamins such as vitamins A and E to help protect, hydrate, repair and dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Under eye cream should deliver a boost of moisture to the delicate skin around the eyes and prevent future wrinkles or “crows feet”

Other ingredients are equally cutting-edge. Some new eye creams contain peptides, which are basically complex molecules created in the laboratory. They are synthetic analogues of collagen, which, unlike the large collagen molecule itself, are small enough to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin. Once there, peptides stimulate the body to create new collagen and accelerate skin repair.

Whatever your choice, the options today are far-reaching. If using only natural, sustainable products are important to you, try to find under eye cream comprised of herbal extracts, vitamins or other organic natural ingredients to reduce those wrinkles and remove the dark circles. Eye cream packed with antioxidants like vitamin E to fight skin-damaging free radicals and Vitamin A to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Unique herbal extracts help reduce the appearance of dark circles and reduce puffiness.