Congested sinuses are a problem for many people, in fact sinus infections are suffered by over forty million Americans every year. Congested sinuses are often caused by chronic sinusitis which may be a result of allergies, such as mold, dust mites or pollen or irritation from environmental pollution. Sinus infections should be treated by your doctor as they cannot be treated effectively at home but if you have chronic sinus congestion then there are some things you can do yourself to help relieve this distressing condition.

Congested sinus remedies

If your sinus congestion is a result of an allergic reaction then you can try anti-histamines. be careful that you buy one that is non-drowsy as you will want to take it during the day, not just at night. Nasal sprays and decongestants are effective but should not be used long term. Decongestants can cause an increase in blood pressure and sleep problems. Oral steroids may be prescribed by your doctor if other treatments are not proving effective but nasal sprays that contain steroids have been known to cause nose bleeds and can have other, more serious side effects if used over a long period.

Home remedies for sinus congestion

What can you do at home to relieve the pressure caused by sinus congestion?

Steam treatments

Steam treatments using eucalyptus oil can help. Use a good quality eucalyptus essential oil and add a few drops to a bowl full of almost boiling water. With a cloth over your head to concentrate the steam, inhale deeply for about fifteen minutes. Use twice a day for badly congested sinuses.

Saline washes

An effective remedy is to use a saline wash to irrigate the sinuses. This works by washing out any allergens, such as mold spores, and also cleans the tiny cilia that beat continuously to move mucus through the sinuses and out the drainage holes. The easiest way to do saline washes is to use a neti pot.

Conclusion

As a long time sufferer of sinus congestion (all my life!) I have tried many different methods including oral steroids and decongestants. These methods all work, at least at first, but I found that all seem to stop working after a time as your body adjusts to them. The one thing I have found that works for me is sinus washes using a neti pot. I don't have to use it all the time but, at the first sign of congestion, I do a wash out twice a day for a few days and this allows me to control the congestion build up. Sinus congestion is a chronic condition that many, many people suffer from and it can cause not only headaches but tiredness and depression. An effective cure would be wonderful but as this does not seem to be on the horizon controlling the condition with congested sinus remedies is essential to improve your quality of life.

If you suffer from rosacea you will have sensitive skin that must be treated very carefully so you should choose very mild, non irritating products. If you find that a skin care product irritates your skin, causes redness or a burning sensation then you should stop using it immediately. Some products that have been reported to cause these kinds of reaction in rosacea sufferers include eucalyptus oil, salicylic acid, peppermint and menthol. Unless you know that your skin does not react to them it would be wise to avoid any preparations that contain these ingredients.

You should also always use a good, high factor sunscreen as your skin may be more sensitive to the damaging effects of the sun and thus more likely to suffer damage. If you find that regular sunscreens irritate your skin then you could try a sun block containing zinc or titanium dioxide.

What is special about rosacea skin care products?

You should always use products that include anti inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Willowherb is often used in these products as it can reduce redness and has healing properties and has been successfully used for a long time. Another ingredient found to be effective is vitamin K which helps to heal the broken capillaries present in the skin of rosacea sufferers. Women should always use cosmetics that do not contain oil and which will not block the pores so avoid heavy make up which can clog the pores and provide an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Products specifically marketed for rosacea sufferers are mild and non irritating and contain ingredients to help treat the redness that is a result of this condition.

What ingredients are used in rosacea skin care products?

As we said earlier willowherb is an excellent ingredient to use for anyone suffering from the redness associated with rosacea. It has a long history of use for this condition and is well tolerated. It is mild and soothes the skin as well as providing anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory actions.

Bio-Maple is an extract derived from maple trees and is gentle on the skin. It works by keeping the pH of the skin in the correct range, thus helping to prevent bacteria from growing. It also helps to reduce redness and irritation and rehydrates the skin effectively.

How should I look after my skin if I suffer from rosacea?

It is important that you keep your skin clean as this will help to reduce flare ups but you should only use very mild cleansers to avoid irritation. You can buy cleansers specially made for rosacea sufferers that will not be irritating. Also, don't use a harsh wash cloth on your face, hands are enough and can be thoroughly cleaned before use, unlike a washcloth which could easily harbour germs! Always use a sun screen, even on overcast days as your skin will be more sensitive to the sun.

There are a huge number of anti-aging and anti-wrinkle over the counter preparations available today as it seems everyone wants to look younger and have wrinkle free skin, but do they work? Are there some that are a waste of money? Finding an anti-aging cream that is effective, suits your skin and is not too expensive is a challenge but we hope to help you find just that in this article.

Before you go out and buy an OTC anti-aging cream you should find out the type of skin you have and what condition it is in. Do you have dry skin, oily skin or a combination skin? Most people as they age find that their skin becomes drier so will need a more effective treatment. if your skin is still young looking or less dry then it will have fewer deep lines and perhaps more fine lines so you will need a less intense skin treatment.

There are a wide variety of products supposed to prevent or reduce wrinkles and not all of them are effective or have been clinically tested. Which ingredients are useless and which have been shown to have a beneficial effect on fine lines and wrinkles?

What ingredients are ineffective in anti-aging creams?

Collagen is often added to skin creams and purported to reduce lines but it does not have any effect when applied to the skin. Collagen is a component of the deeper layers of the skin where it acts as a support for the top layers. Although it is important for the health of the skin and to prevent the skin sagging applying it to the surface of the skin does not have any effect as collagen is a very large molecule that cannot penetrate the skin. Preparations that repair damaged collagen however are effective. 

Do not be persuaded to buy an anti-aging cream just because it is expensive! there is no correlation between how much a preparation costs and how effective it is. Instead look at the ingredients in the cream and choose one that has ingredients that have been clinically proven to reduce wrinkles.

What ingredients are effective in anti-aging creams?

Retinol had been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in many clinical trials. Over the counter anti-aging preparations containing retinol are available and a similar ingredient, tretanoin, is found in prescription only preparations. Over time it will be effective in reducing wrinkles on the skin but the effect is temporary so you will need to keep on using it or your skin will slowly revert back to the way it looked before you started.

Coenzyme Q is also an effective ingredient as it has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eye. It is also useful for protecting the skin from damage by the sun.

Copper peptide may be included in anti-aging preparations. It has been used for a long time for healing wounds and has been shown to stimulate collagen production which is important for the health and youthful looks of the skin.

Using retinol skin care products

One precaution we should mention for retinol containing products is to be careful in the sun as they can increase the skin's sensitivity. They are best applied at night rather than in the morning but if you do apply them during the day always use a good sun screen. They can cause some irritation to the skin when first used but this should clear up in a few days.

When can I expect to see results?

None of these products, or any others, will perform miracles overnight! You will have to use them regularly for at least six weeks before you start to see any effect. You should see a real improvement in your skin's appearance if you persevere for a few months but remember that the effects will slowly disappear after you stop the treatment.

Glycolic acid has been used for moisturising, softening and exfoliating the skin for a very long time. It is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) similar in structure to lactic acid and tartaric acid and is extracted from sugar cane for use in over the counter glycolic acid products. Salicylic acid is another similar chemical (it is known as a beta hydroxy acid) and is also used in skin care preparations.

How does glycolic acid work?

Glycolic acid is a small molecules, in fact it is the smallest AHA, which allows it to penetrate the skin easily. It can go under the layer of dead or damaged skin on the surface to deep within the skin where it the binds that hold dead skin cells in place can be found. The acid then breaks these bonds so that the dead skin cells can be easily removed. This is how it works as an exfoliating agent, removing the top layer of dead skin cells to give you a smoother, more youthful looking skin. You can buy over the counter glycolic acid preparations as gels or creams to use for exfoliation. They are often sold in complete packages which include moisturisers and neutralisers as the acid can be drying to the skin. Many acne preparations include glycolic acid because it is such good exfoliator so it excellent for cleaning out the pores.

Glycolic acid chemical peels

A more drastic treatment than exfoliation is to use a chemical peel and glycolic acid chemical peels can be very effective. Chemical peels are applied to the skin to induce blistering which allows the top layer of the skin to peel off. OTC glycolic acid peels are available with a higher concentration of the acid than the exfoliating agents but they can leave you skin red and irritated for a few days after use. It would be a good idea to have one applied by a professional the first time you use one so that you know how your skin will react and what to expect. glycolic acid chemical peels are effective for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, improving the texture of skin damaged by the sun or from acne.

AHA chemical peels are milder than many other types of peels but may cause some irritation to the skin for a day or two after use. You may also experience dryness or stinging. These effects are not long lasting, they should clear up in a day or two. You should be careful however if you also use a product containing retinol as this can make your skin more sensitive to these types of peels.

Anti-aging preparations containing glycolic acid

Many anti-aging skin preparations include both retinol and glycolic acid as they are both effective in reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. However, as they contain both ingredients some people find their skin is too sensitive and experience soreness or irritation which leaves their skin red. If this happens to you try replacing the preparation with one that contains only retinol or glycolic acid instead of both.

Skin lightening products

For the treatment of small areas of discoloration products containing glycolic acid plus a number of other ingredients such as kojic acid, azelaic acid can be used. They should not be used for large areas, just for small areas that have become dicoloured by sun damage or aging.

Conclusion

Glycolic acid skin care products are among the mildest products for exfoliating and for use as chemical peels but they are very effective. Although they do have some side effects, especially when used in higher concentrations in chemical peels but these should be relatively mild and only last for a short time. Over the counter glycolic acid products are easily available and a good choice to help you achieve a younger, healthier looking skin.