Being a mom is a full time job and all too often the long hours and lack of sleep can contribute to skin damage. The worst part is between juggling kids’ schedules, sick days, organizing and running the household, and doing all of this around careers and extracurricular activities, it is hard to imagine them having the leisure time to devote to a skin care routine.

Many of the best and easiest ways to maintain your skin take minutes or less, and can be worked into your daily routine whether at home, at the office, or on the go. Some methods are easy–keeping your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day or avoiding smoking–while others might be a bit more challenging to busy moms. This does not make them unattainable, however. All it takes is a little time carved out each day to turn a resolution into a daily habit.

This infographic lays out the perfect daily routine to gorgeous skin, from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed, including the need your skin has for a good night’s rest.

With this itinerary to use as a guide, you will find all sorts of ways to squeeze a beauty routine between the rest of your daily activities. By working these tips into your day, your skin can look its absolute best!

Glowing skin is a symbol of youth and good health, and many of us go out of our way to achieve that vibrant complexion. Unfortunately, multiple beauty products often take the beauty routine to a lengthy test of endurance. Not to mention the layers of products that tend to pile up on our skin. For those who are about to head down the aisle, keeping skin beautiful without layers of product is ideal.

Naturally bright and glowing skin should not take your beauty routine to hour-long sessions. The five-minute face (and glow!) is achievable…and without an insane amount of products piling up on the sensitive skin of the face. On your wedding day, you want to look radiant and perfect in every way…you don’t want to fight with insane skin regimes to get there, though.

While not every skin problem can be solved instantly with simple solutions (a good dermatologist cannot be replaced!), there are ways to keep the skin healthy and beautiful without too much fuss. And, of course, in time for your big day.

To help skin look its most radiant, however, means beginning a skin care routine a few months in advance. And you need to stick to your routine!  Here are five ways to ensure a healthy glow on your wedding day:

Hydrate

The first step to great skin is ensuring the body is properly hydrated. Not drinking enough water (yes, WATER!) causes skin to look tight and…well…not so good. No, you don’t need to drink eight 8-ounce glasses a day, but you do need to drink water. Try drinking a glass in the morning, maybe another after lunch and then with dinner. And limit caffeine and alcohol consumption…these dehydrate the skin! Esthetician Jillian Wright also says that caffeine can cause skin redness and…PREMATURE AGING!

Moisturize

Keeping skin supple is essential to a healthy glow. As winter brings in cooler temperatures, a good moisturizer is important to ensure that skin doesn’t dry out and become flaky. To ensure smooth skin all over, choose a moisturizer that is ideal for your skin type. Those with extra dry skin may need a heavier moisturizer, while those with oily skin need to beware of moisturizers with added oils. Some women also love face oils like argan oil or coconut oil. However, coconut oil has been known to clog pores, so don’t use this on your face if you’re prone to pimples and acne. Remember, too, that a good facial moisturizer also should include sunscreen. Just because temps drop in some parts of the country doesn’t mean you can throw away the SPF.

Sleep

The stress of planning a wedding can wreak havoc on the skin, and so can lack of sleep. Your skin and your body need time to rejuvenate…and that means getting enough rest. Stay away from caffeine or anything else that may affect sleep. Be sure to turn in early enough to clock at least eight hours of sleep. The Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep for most adults.

Serums & Toners

Facial serums are offered with a variety of benefits. Some are used by the eyes to smooth out lines and wrinkles, and others are used to encourage cell turnover. Toners, however, are used to help firm up the skin, to diminish the look of pores or to clarify. Pick your products based upon your need, but try to find combination products to lessen your daily routine. Our brightening serum helps brighten skin over time and also helps improve the skin’s overall appearance. Begin using toners/serums a few months prior to the wedding; more sensitive skin may not like every product, so if a product disagrees with your skin you will have time to make amends.

Must-Have Cosmetics

For those future brides who do in fact wait until the last minute to fake a glow, there are easy solutions at hand. Although, natural radiance is the best beauty! To achieve a well lit glowing complexion, use highlighting cosmetics, like powders or foundations. Many of these products include illuminators that catch the light for a beautiful glow.

Achieving beautiful glowing skin takes time. For future brides, preparing the skin for a wedding day should begin months before walking down the aisle. Adopt healthy practices to keep skin hydrated and supple. And try to limit caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate the skin. By practicing healthy habits—and adding a few products—your skin will naturally glow.

For busy moms, the art of highlighting and contouring as tools to illuminate the complexion might not be the most time-saving beauty solution. Skin whitening treatments that are one-step solutions for that dewy brighter glow allow moms on the go to channel that dewy and vibrant beauty look without breaking out numerous brushes and products.

When we talk about lightening, however, this is not about chemicals and dyes to tarnish and punish the skin. The right beauty products for a gorgeous glow do not include bleach, harsh additives, dyes or chemicals. Being beautiful inside and out requires treating the skin with naturally beneficial beauty products.

Face Oils

You’ve probably heard coconut oil and argan oil touted as miracle ingredients for wrinkles and skin hydration. While no product can permanently take away wrinkles—yes, that includes oils—coconut oil and argan oil are amazing hydrators for the skin. The oils also create a vibrant dewiness when mixed with foundation that leaves the skin glowing.

Oils won’t lighten your skin shade, but they will reflect light to create a glowing complexion. With oils, though, a little goes a long way. For argan oil, apply about two drops onto your finger and swipe on the cheekbones, dot on the nose, the chin and forehead.

Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so application can be a little trickier. Dab your finger into the jar and rub the oil between your two index fingers. Then apply on the areas of the face where you would like to highlight. Cheekbones, the top of the nose and the chin are ideal for highlights.

Highlighter Sticks

Many cosmetics companies offer highlighting products that can be applied like a concealer. Highlighting products that are in bullet form (like a lipstick) are the best option. These products twist up to let you swipe on the right amount of product. Most of these highlighting sticks have pigment that has an almost prismatic glow.  When the light hits areas where the product has been applied, your face will have an amazing pop of illumination.

Toners & Serums

Some skin whiteners may reduce the appearance of dark spots and also may improve skin tone. One of our skin brightening serums is applied at night and in the morning to help brighten the complexion. However, serums and toners often take several weeks for skin to show improvement…so don’t feel frustrated if that glow doesn’t appear overnight. Pregnant and breastfeeding moms should talk to their doctor before using any new treatment.

Powerful Powders

Highlighting powders are easy to apply and give a similar glow as the stick. Many powders also add a setting layer to foundation, allowing it to last longer. Just dab your pouf in the powder and apply to the cheekbones. Many of these products are offered in a variety of illuminating shades—yes, there are even unicorn-inspired rainbow highlighters.

There are many quick and easy options for busy moms to use for dewy, light-infused skin whitening beauty. Illuminated products are available in sticks to easily swipe the face with a glow, and powders also help set foundation while adding light-infused dimension. For skin that demands a little more care and treatment, try toners and serums that may help decrease the look of dark spots while brightening the skin. A healthy glow doesn’t have to take hours out of the morning, and most busy moms can achieve a brighter complexion in minutes!

With the wide assortment of creams, lotions, oils, cleansers and moisturizers available, managing your skin care effectively can feel like a full-time job. But it doesn’t have to be so complicated.

By following a few simple tips, you can pamper your skin properly so that it glows with beauty and effervescence. Use this guide to sort out which skin care products you should be using as well as when you should apply them.

Skin Care Depends on Skin Type

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to skin care. Everyone’s skin is unique, and you’ll want to bear this in mind as you seek a skin care routine that works for you.

To figure out what your skin needs, you must first determine what type of skin you have. Your skin type probably falls into one of the following categories:

• Oily skin will contain relatively large pores and often shines with grease especially upon waking up in the morning.

• Dry skin tends to be fairly rough and will flake more easily than other types of skin.

• Sensitive skin is easily bruised, injured or otherwise damaged. If your skin frequently stings, burns or itches after you use cosmetics or skin care products, you probably have sensitive skin.

• Combination skin is somewhere in between these other skins types. It may be dry in some spots such as the chin, but oily in other areas like the forehead. It may also be especially sensitive but only around certain parts of your face and body.

• Normal skin is actually far less normal than the name would imply. Often referred to as the ideal skin type, this skin type is neither oily nor dry and isn’t overly sensitive to makeup or skin care products.

Testing Your Skin Type

Hopefully, one of these skin types fits well with your experience of your own skin. But if you’re not sure what skin type you have, you can follow these simple steps to find out:

1. Wash your face with clean, cold water. Do not apply anything to your face other than water at this time.

2. Wait an hour or two. Then head to the bathroom and get out a tissue.

3. Gently blot your forehead with the tissue.

4. Finally, take a closer look at your skin in a mirror using natural light.

Test Results: What’s Your Skin Type?

If you find flakes but no grease or oil on your tissue, and you see small pores or scaliness on your skin in the mirror, you likely have dry skin type. You’ll need to use a creamy cleanser or cleansing lotion, a soothing toner, and a strong moisturizer with SPF for this skin type.

If there’s oil on the tissue and enlarged pores in the mirror, there’s a high chance you have oily skin type. You should use a gel based cleanser, a toner or other astringent to balance your skin’s PH levels, and a light moisturizer with SPF. You should also look into zinc oxide sunscreen, antioxidant serum, AHA/BHA serum and retinol serum. Always check for oil-free on the label of your skin care products because the last thing you want to do is feed the fire.

If you find a mix of the symptoms described in the last two scenarios, you probably have combination skin type. You should use a gel based cleanser, a toner to balance the skin, and a light moisturizer with SPF.

If your skin is sensitive, you probably didn’t need to do this test because you will have experienced discomfort when applying makeup or other products to your face in the past. Use gentle cleansers, and avoid skin products that contain alcohol, perfume, soap, or acid. As an alternative, choose skin care products that contain ingredients like oats, chamomile, aloe, and green tea polyphenols. Avoid exfoliating and rubbing your skin more than necessary. Patting is a good substitute for rubbing. Also, rinse your face with warm water whenever you can.

If you didn’t see oil or flakes on the tissue, and didn’t notice any grease or scaliness in the mirror, congratulations! You have normal skin. But you should still use a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer to keep your skin healthy and combat the effects of aging. Look for serums and other skin care products with antioxidants to optimize your efforts.

Skin Care Daily Schedule

It’s important to keep a daily skin care routine. This is the best way to consistently maintain healthy, clear skin. Different times of the day call for different treatments; your skin type will play a role in how you set your schedule as well.

Here’s a general overview of an effective daily skin care routine:

• Upon rising: wash your face and apply a cleanser

• After a morning shower: first use a cleanser, then apply a toner. After a few minutes pass, rub or pat on some moisturizer. Before leaving a house apply sunscreen if your moisturizer doesn’t have a high SPF.

• Around noon: Wash your face using a cleanser, then reapply sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF.

• Late afternoon: Once again reapply sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF.

• Before bed: Wash your face with water and a cleanser. Apply a toner, wait a few minutes, and then apply moisturizer. This is also when you apply any serums your skin may need to heal, or stave off the effects of aging.

While this overview should give you a sense of how to use skin care products day-to-day, you should make slight adjustments to it based on your skin type.

Skin Care Products: What’s Right For You?

Now that you know what type of skin care products you need to use and when to use them, it’s time to think about what brands you should consider. There’s so many options out there, it’s hard to know which one to pick.

While a comprehensive guide to every skin care product available is beyond the scope of this article, there’s a few rules of thumb to keep in mind:

• If you have oily skin, make sure to buy oil-free skin care products. It’s especially important to use an oil-free moisturizer. You should look for cleansing gel that are sulfate-free. And finally, you’ll want to look for an alcohol-free toner that has ingredients like sodium PCA, geranium, and witch hazel.

• If you have dry skin, look for eye creams with peptides and no-foam/no-lather cleansing lotions.

• If you have combination skin, look for a lightweight moisturizer. You may switch between cleansing gels and cleansing lotions depending on whether your skin feels dry or oily.

• Keep an eye out for toners and serums that will help you accomplish the goals you want for your skin.

From the many of options presented in this guide, you should be able to determine your skin type and figure out the right skin care products for you. Congratulations! You’re taking the first step on the way to a healthy long-term care solution for your body’s largest organ: the skin.

While there are more advanced methods for hair removal, waxing is still a popular way to get rid of unwanted hair. Yes, lasers and electrolysis can provide long-lasting results, but waxing, a reliable and low-cost procedure, is a favorite among men and women.

However, waxing can potentially lead to ingrown hairs, which are hairs that grow downwards and penetrate back into the skin. This problem could lead to discomfort and even hair follicle infection. And while there are ways you can correct the issue if it materializes, it is certainly true that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of curse. So, read on to learn how to prevent ingrown hairs when waxing — and get an answer to the question: Do ingrown hairs go away?

Waxing Technique

Why is cleaning the area to be waxed so important?

You can definitely prevent ingrown hair when waxing if you go about it the right way. First things first, you need to ensure that your skin is clean before you apply the wax, and this means using soap and water. The reason this step is critical is that clean skin is less likely to have anything stick to your skin.

Does the wax temperature matter?

You need to get the wax temperature to the right level since extremes of hot and cold could present problems. On the one hand, if it’s excessively hot, you could end up with bleeding and the wax could stick to the skin. On the other hand, if it’s too cold, the wax won’t properly grab the hair that you want to remove.

What role do direction and speed play?

If you want to prevent ingrown hair when waxing, you need to be mindful about not only the direction, but also the speed. So, you’ll want to pull the strip parallel to your skin — and you’ll want to do so very quickly. The goal will be to achieve a clean pull to prevent bleeding, and remember that an improper pull angle can tear your skin. As you pull, be sure to stretch your skin below the pull point or else your skin will roll and might even tear.

Do the types of materials you use matter?

Don’t get caught up in materials required for waxing. Waxes and cloths are pretty much the same, so you don’t have to get a specific brand.

Waxing Safely

Can waxing cure ingrown hairs or bumps?

The simple answer is no — waxing will not rid you of ingrown hairs or bumps. After you wax, your ingrown hair will still remain as is. This is why it’s so important to use the right technique when waxing.

So, do ingrown hairs go away at all? In any situation? The simple answer is yes. But there’s a catch. Ingrown hairs will eventually correct themselves on their own, but this could take some time and you will have to live with discomfort during this time. There are products available that can help you to fix the problem if you don’t want to wait.

Which parts of the body can be waxed?

In terms of which areas of your body you can wax, the answer is that waxing is safe for all parts of your body. Popular waxing areas include the arms, legs, eyebrow, underarms, chest, and bikini line. If you’re looking to remove hair while minimizing or eliminating pain, then you can consider threading, a hair removal procedure that was developed in the Middle East.

Threading works something like this:  You pull a cotton thread along the hair you want to get rid of. As you pull the cotton thread  in a twisting motion, you will essentially capture the hair in a type of lasso. What this will do is lift the unwanted hairs from their follicles.

While you will likely feel some discomfort, many who’ve undergone threading and waxing say that waxing hurts more. Even so, waxing is more popular, and if you get the technique right, you’ll end up with less redness than if your technique is poor. After you wax, it will take between three and four weeks to have enough hair to actually grab onto.

Should you wax at home or get it done by a professional?

While it is possible to wax effectively and safely at home, you’re probably better off getting the procedure done by a professional. Doing it at home may cause skin problems that you can avoid if getting it done professionally.

What are epilators — and can you use them for hair removal?

An epilator is an electrical unit that you can use to get rid of hair mechanically by grabbing unwanted hairs in a batch and extracting them. If you use this device, you will all but throw out the benefit of using wax in the first place since the epilator will damage your skin. And what this will lead to is an increased risk of getting ingrown hairs due to inflammation of your hair follicles.

Waxing is definitely an effective way of removing hair, but you need to go about it the right way to get the results you need — minus the ingrown hairs. Prevention is indeed better — and cheaper — than a pound of cure. So, do ingrown hairs go away if, after your best efforts, they set in after waxing? Yes, they’ll eventually go away. But you can more likely than not avoid such problems in the first place if you wax properly.

When a rash from razor burn shows up on your face, legs, underarms or bikini area, it can leave you feeling uncomfortable and can be a drain on your self-confidence. Razor burns result in pain, itchiness, and visible redness that can make it difficult for you to go about your daily activities. In addition, the visible signs of razor burn can affect self esteem.

However, the good news is that there are a few helpful techniques that can quickly ease your frustrations. For a boost in your self-esteem try some of these simple razor burn fixes which can make you feel better in no time.

Properly Moisturize the Skin

When it comes to razor burn, not only is proper treatment key, but so is prevention. One of the best ways to prevent razor burn is to properly moisturize the hair and skin before and after shaving. Soften the hair by applying warm water. An easy way to ensure this happens is to shave right after a shower. The warm water and steam can help to soften the hair, leaving it much easier to shave with a razor blade.

Skin that is moist and supple will allow for a smooth, clean shave. Routinely apply products that were created specifically for shaving. These should include specialty shaving gels, oils, or other creams that help razors glide easily over the skin. You should look for ingredients that have anti-inflammatory essential oils including lavender or chamomile. Remember to rinse the skin with cool water immediately following shaving.

After shaving, look for products that treat razor burns and moisturize the skin. Apply a follow-up moisturizer to skin, which can replenish any moisture that has been lost due to the shaving process. Choose a moisturizer designed to soothe the skin and prevent razor burn, giving you the opportunity to look and feel your very best.

Soothing Remedies for Relief

There are many herbal treatment options and home remedies that can quickly soothe razor burn, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and less irritated. For instance, aloe vera is proven to have natural healing properties. The gel from a freshly cut aloe vera plant can help to ease razor burn by reducing redness and itching, as well as protecting the skin against infection.

Other natural remedies for razor burn include oatmeal, honey, cucumber, spearmint leaves, and avocado which can all be applied directly to razor burn to sooth irritation for noticeable relief. As cooling, moisturizing, and gentle remedies, these natural treatments can reduce the appearance of razor burn and quickly restore your self-confidence.

Vitamin E oil may also be applied directly to razor burn to help with the healing process. Keep in mind that while these treatments can help soothe, they may not be effective in lasting relief. So remember to keep an eye out for skin care products that help you!

When it comes to improving how you look and feel, try any of these simple solutions to banish razor burn for good. Even the smallest steps can go a long way towards making you feel better.

Such remedies can provide long-lasting results that will not only improve your skin’s appearance, but will contribute to your overall health and well-being. In the end, you will feel better about yourself knowing that you have taken the necessary steps to correct your razor burn and safeguard your delicate skin.

Itchy armpits can be an aggravating and annoying problem. While not usually a serious medical condition, itchy armpits can still potentially prove disruptive to your normal day-to-day routine.

Unless you shave your armpits or use underarm deodorant, you probably don’t pay much attention to them…until or unless you are overtaken by itchy armpits. Your armpits actually have many blood vessels, sweat glands, and lymph nodes. As a result of the blood vessels, your armpits rank as one of your body’s warmest areas, and the presence of sweat glands in that region can create the so-called perfect storm for various problems that can lead to itchy armpits..

Causes of Itchy Armpits

Lack of Cleanliness: It’s important that you’re diligent with your personal hygiene since a deficit on this front will make your underarms area a potential breeding ground for bacteria. And the bacteria will quickly multiply and lead to skin irritation that will ultimately result in itchy armpits.

Candida: This sort of yeast infection is not as uncommon as you might think. In fact, it is rather common. However, a properly functioning immune system can usually deal with candida so that it doesn’t become a problem. But if your immune system is compromised, candida can lead to outbreaks on the skin such as rashes and other types of irritation.

Ingrown Hair: If you like to shave your underarms, you might have already experienced ingrown hairs, which occur when hair, as a result of the shaving process, is cut in such a way that it bends downwards and burrow beneath the skin surface. If you have ingrown hairs, you will notice reddish pimple-looking bumps that can be very itchy.

Deodorant: While these types of products can help to reduce unpleasant body odour, they can also lead to problems such as itchy armpits. The reason for this is that they can clog up your sweat glands and lead to skin irritation.

Swollen Lymph Nodes: It is possible for your lymph nodes to get enlarged if your body’s immune system is fighting against an infection. This can in turn lead to is skin irritation and itching.

While there are many reasons you could have itchy armpits, there are fortunately some potential solutions that can help you to tame the itch.

Solutions for Itchy Armpits

Practice Good Hygiene; Remember that the armpits region is ripe for skin irritation-related problems if personal hygiene is not rigorously practiced. So be sure to wash your armpits regularly with soap and water.

Change Up Hair Removal Techniques: If shaving can lead to itchy armpits, then it goes without saying that you can eliminate at least one of the causes of this condition if you put away your razor. This doesn’t mean that you have to do away with shaving forever, of course. You just want to stop doing it until the symptoms go away.

If you find that your skin gets irritated every time you shave or that you get ingrown hair itchy all the time, then you might want to consider other methods of hair removal to hopefully avoid itchy armpits. Waxing is a common alternative.

Look for Products That Reduce Ingrown Hairs: You can also look for products that reduce the appearance of ingrown hairs. Skin care products that help reduce ingrown hairs can be the easiest way to fix a problem.

Switch Deodorant: If you have skin irritation or infection in your underarms, you should consider either going without deodorant or at least changing your brand to find one that is safer to use. As a rule of thumb, the roll-on varieties tend to be less irritating than are the spray-on varieties.

Topical Treatments: Applying things like aloe vera, calamine lotion, or tree oil can help as can soaking in an epsom salt or oatmeal bath.

Hot Compress: Using a hot compress on the itchy area can help to facilitate fluid drainage and reduce pus accumulation, which will leave you feeling much better.

Itchy armpits are definitely not the sort of condition that anyone wants to contend with, but fortunately there are some ways that you can alleviate the symptoms and solve the problem. If you ever find yourself on the receiving end of the irritation that comes from itchy armpits, try out the various treatments above to get the relief that you need.

Beauty products are a part of our everyday life, whether we’re using moisturizer in the shower, makeup as we get ready for the day, or cleansers to keep our look fresh and clean before we go to bed at night. However, not everyone takes the time to focus on whether or not the beauty products they use everyday are cruelty-free.

Although we are committed to providing our customers with cruelty-free beauty products, animal testing is still a prevalent practice for other companies that must be stopped. Today, we’re helping readers to understand the scope of this traumatic practice and what you can do to ensure your beauty product is cruelty-free.

Animal Testing Statistics

Unfortunately, animal testing is far from an extinct practice. The statistics say it all, as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) reports that upwards of 100 million animals–including mice, rats, frogs, dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, fish, and others–are killed in U.S. laboratories as they’re being used from things like biology lessons, medical training, experiments, and chemical, drug, food, and cosmetic testings.

And that’s just one country. In China, animal testing is a requirement for the sales of all cosmetic products. A whopping 100,000 – 200,000 animals suffer and die from cosmetic testing around the world each year.

Traumatic Practices

There are many different types of tests performed on animals in connection with cosmetic products. Some of the more common and most cruel practices include products being tested for eye irritation, where chemicals are rubbed onto the shaved skin of animals or dripped into the eyes of restrained rabbits. These animals are not provided any pain relief, making it even more heartbreaking.

Additionally, animals are commonly forced to swallow large amounts of a test chemical to determine how much must be consumed to cause death to help with product warning labels. Finally, animals are typically force-fed products for weeks or months at a time, as testers are looking for health signs that indicate long-term illness, such as cancer, or that lead to eventual birth defects in offspring.

Sadly, at the end of these testing sessions, animals are almost always killed. Typically, this occurs via asphyxiation, neck-breaking, or decapitation. Again, in these instances, pain relief is not provided. Alarmingly, many animals used in U.S. labs are not protected under the Animal Welfare Act. This includes laboratory-bred rats and mice.

Government Laws and Organizations Fighting Animal Testing

There are several laws and standards centering around animal testing that do help the movement towards a cruelty-free world, but these laws and organizations alone are not doing enough. First, there is the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which addresses the standard of care that animals should receive at research facilities. However, this law is minimally effective as it excludes about 95 percent of animals tested upon (like rats, mice, birds, and reptiles). Labs have no obligation to report non-AWA protected animals.

An organization that aims to help control the testing of animals is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, the organization only has 120 inspectors and is responsible for overseeing an excess of 12,000 facilities, all involved in research, breeding, and the exhibition of animals. Federally-owned facilities are not inspected by this organization.

How We Work Towards Cruelty-Free

Besides providing beauty products that are cruelty-free, Tend Skin supports animals in the battle against all animal testing. Notably, we support the organization Angels in Distress. This group aims to rescue animals that are abused or in life-threatening situations. They are committed to providing rescued animals with the health care they need and to improving their quality of life, whether that means finding them a new home or releasing them safely back into the wild. A portion of our revenue is donated to this organization in the hopes of helping animals near and far.

Clearly, this is a large-scale problem that requires an abundance of attention. Animals don’t deserve to be treated this way, which is why all of our beauty products are proudly cruelty-free. You’d probably be surprised to learn that companies you purchase items from or support may be testing their products on animals! If they don’t explicitly say they are cruelty-free, be sure to reach out to the brand to confirm. At Tend Skin, we look forward to a world in which every beauty product is cruelty free.

Razor burns itch, hurt, and are a nuisance to everyone. Shaving is something we all have to do on a regular basis–men shave their faces, women their legs, armpits, and bikini areas–so razor burns and bumps are a common problem. You may find yourself wondering what in your home can be quickly soothe your irritation. Does aloe vera help razor burns? Can something cold in your fridge help the the inflammation of painful razor bumps?

While nature might not have anticipated shaving, she certainly provided us with plenty of remedies to reduce the pain! Here are some frequently asked questions about razor burns and bumps, and the remedies we can use to alleviate them:

Razor Burns or Razor Bumps?

May people do not know the difference between a burn and a bump, but there actually is a difference. Razor burn is kind of like skinning one’s knee; it is caused by the removal of surface skin cells, which leaves that raw irritation behind. Razor bumps are caused by ingrown hairs, which are usually caused by shaving close and with dull razors. Although they are different, they can be treated in similar ways.

Is There a Right Way to Shave?

Many people don’t know that there actually is a right way to shave.  Experts suggest using a shaving gel on wet skin to keep the skin moisturized. Slow, even strokes with a razor that is regularly changed can keep those nasty blemishes from appearing. Use care if you have acne, scabs, skin tags, or other protrusions on your skin, so you can avoid cuts and infections.

Does Aloe Vera Help Razor Burns?

Aloe vera absolutely helps razor burn, especially in its natural form. All one has to do is clip a little bit of the leaf and squeeze the gel from within. There are a lot of products that include aloe, such as gels, lotions, and even baby products. Keep an eye on the ingredients, however, because some of them might have fragrances or other additives that won’t help your razor burns and bumps.

Is There Anything Else in My Pantry To Soothe Skin Irritation?

Your pantry is a veritable medicine cabinet for a lot of natural home remedies, full of all sorts of wonders for your skin. In fact, these foods are good for your skin even when you don’t have razor burns and bumps!

• Cucumber: this one may come from the fridge, but it has properties which cool the burning sensation.
• Honey: since honey has medicinal properties, it soothes the irritation by addressing the causes.
• Oatmeal: plain oatmeal is used in facials as a mask all the time, to prevent razor burns and bumps, so it makes a great treatment, too.

Can Anything Else From Home Help?

There are a few things that are home remedies that can help treat razor burns and blemishes. All of these are more cost effective, but may not have the same lasting effects as products designed to treat razor burns.

• Baking soda: This long-known antiseptic can be blotted on with a cotton ball or swab.
• Aspirin: Either crush aspirin pills or buy it in powdered form to apply topically and help ease the pain and itching. The anti-inflammatory properties can help with swelling and pain.
• Baby powder: It uses the same principles on your razor blemishes as when you apply it for diaper rash.
• Cold pack: Nothing beats frozen items applied to skin irritation for a soothing, cooling feeling. Wrap regular ice in a thin towel or use another item, such as meat or a bag of vegetables, applied to the affected area.

Sometimes, however, home remedies are simply not enough to treat razor burns.  Fortunately, there are products available guaranteed to help with painful, irritating razor burns.  Whether you order right here from this site, from Amazon, or pick up from your local Walmart, getting the right product to treat your razor burns when all else fails can be the difference between quick relief or prolonged, sustained discomfort.  Check out our razor burn products today!

Ingrown hairs are hairs that have either become trapped underneath the skin or have grown back into the skin following hair removal by shaving or waxing. Once trapped underneath the skin, the ingrown hair can lead to soreness, redness, and inflammation. Although common and seemingly innocent, ingrown hairs can harbor many hidden dangers.

If left untreated, ingrown hairs can lead to infections which can quickly turn into a nightmare situation. Infections can lead to major health concerns that could result in a trip the hospital. In fact, there are some people who have almost died from infected ingrown hairs.

Do not let this be you! Here are some of the most common infections caused by ingrown hairs. Talk to a doctor or seek over-the-counter treatment before any of these get out of hand:

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a condition that occurs when bacteria penetrates the deeper layers of the skin and underlying tissue areas. There are many types of bacteria that are already present on the outer layer of skin. These are usually harmless, however, if they have an opportunity to enter the body through an open sore such as a recently removed ingrown hair, the skin could become infected.

While cellulitis typically affects the legs, it can appear on any part of the body. Symptoms of cellulitis include visible redness, swelling, and inflammation. The infected area may also be warm to the touch and it may be tender. Some people may experience fever, chills, and even blisters. An ingrown hair that has become infected with cellulitis can lead to pain and discomfort if it is not treated right away. It is best to seek medical treatment if any of these symptoms appear. A doctor can prescribe antibiotics to remedy this condition which can take anywhere from 5-14 days to completely heal.

Folliculitis

A serious infection that can result from ingrown hairs is folliculitis. Each hair on your body grows out of its own follicle. Shaving, or other grooming activities that irritate the follicles can result in ingrown hairs which further exacerbate the development of folliculitis. When ingrown hairs are present, bacteria can enter the site, causing inflammation and infection. Ingrown hairs may injure the hair follicle, increasing the likelihood of an infection.

By appearance, folliculitis looks like a red bump or pimple that is filled with pus or blood. The infection may also itch or burn. Folliculitis may be superficial or could go much deeper into the skin. Folliculitis can even spread to other surrounding hair follicles even if an ingrown hair is not present at those sites.

A doctor can properly diagnose folliculitis by drawing a sample of the fluid from the infected area. If folliculitis is confirmed, your doctor may recommend putting a halt on grooming activities until the site has properly healed. While most folliculitis will clear up on its own within a week or two, sometimes antibiotics are necessary. If redness, swelling or pain continue or if fever exceeds 101 degrees, contact a physician immediately for further treatment options.

Staphylococcus

Staphylococcus, also known simply as staph, is a bacterial infection that affects the skin. Many healthy people carry this bacteria on the outer layer of their skin without issue. However, when the skin is damaged, this bacteria can quickly enter it and cause a life-threatening infection. An opening like a cut from shaving or even from plucking out an ingrown hair, if left untreated, can lead to a staph infection.

The infected site will turn into a pus-filled cyst or abscess that will continue to grow until it is drained, even to the size of a baseball in many severe instances. These painful infection sites can lead to even more severe infections. If drainage of the site is not done in enough time, the staph infection could lead to a more serious condition known as sepsis.

Sepsis

Sepsis is an infection that goes into the bloodstream. Naturally, the body will release chemicals to fight off any infection. Sepsis will occur when these chemicals lead to inflammation in various other parts of the body. This could ultimately lead to failure of multiple organs and even death. The good news is that if staph is caught early on and the abscess has been properly drained, antibiotics can be administered to treat and cure the infection.

Prevent Ingrown Hairs and Infections

While it is not uncommon for people to develop ingrown hairs, more often than not they never consider the health ramifications of an infected ingrown hair. The first step towards avoiding infection is to practice proper grooming techniques that can prevent ingrown hairs in the first place. Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Prior to shaving, always wash the area with warm water and a mild cleanser.
• Next, properly lubricate the skin and hair with a gel or cream so that both are properly moisturized.
• Never use old, dull razor blades to shave the skin and replace blades often for the smoothest shave.

As long as you follow proper hygiene and safe hair removal techniques, you should be able to significantly lower your chances of developing ingrown hairs.

When to Seek Medical Treatment

Seek medical treatment immediately if any of the following occur:  fever, swelling, redness, pain, chills or raw open sores at the site of the ingrown hair. A doctor can not only safely remove the ingrown hair, but they can properly identify the infection and prescribe the appropriate antibiotics to heal the affected area. It’s better to be safe than sorry; so if you have any question that an infection has gotten out of hand, please seek treatment.

These are just some of the dangers of ingrown hairs. For the safest health outcomes, never ignore the warning signs of a potentially infected ingrown hair. Infections caused by ingrown hairs can spread to other areas of the body and can lead to serious complications if left unchecked.