Pure soap is made with a combination of sodium hydroxide, which is lye, and fats or oils. Combined in the right ratio, the ingredients are chemically transformed into glycerin and soap. Hand-crafted soap retains the glycerin, making it a richer, more soothing and moisturizing product than commercial soaps.

Dull skin can make you look tired and old, even when you're well rested. When your skin has a layer of dead skin cells on the surface, your skin doesn't reflect light as it naturally would with new, healthy skin.

Although Avon's Skin So Soft was originally a bath oil, many people have found it useful for other applications, including use as a household cleaner. Since its introduction, Avon has expanded the bath oil to an entire line that today includes insect repellent, body oil and deodorant.

Tongue blisters, small bumps that often turn into ulcers, can be caused by viruses, trauma or allergy. Blisters on the tongue can cause pain and interfere with eating and drinking.

Aloe is a gel derived from the pulpy leaves of the aloe vera plant. For thousands of years, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aloe has been used for treating wounds, infections and burns. The aloe vera plant is native to tropical and subtropical climates in Africa, the Caribbean and South America.

The elasticity and structure of your skin is maintained by two vital proteins called elastin and collagen. These proteins make up nearly 25 percent of your body’s total protein count. As you get older, they decrease. Knowing how to increase these vital proteins will help you keep your skin looking healthy and youthful.

Add a nutrient-rich, age-defying boost to your skincare routine by incorporating wheat-germ oil into your regimen.

In skin care products, active ingredients are responsible for delivering proposed benefits. Active ingredients are in all types of skin care products -- even in natural versions. Strengths vary based on whether you’re using over-the-counter or prescription products.

Around the age of 40, a woman’s skin starts to change because of hormonal alterations that can cause moisture loss, pigmentation changes and sensitivity.

Fat veins are enlarged blood vessels, also called varicose veins. Fat veins are most commonly located on the legs and thigh, but they can appear anywhere, leaving ugly, purple bulging veins. Fat veins develop when the valves in your blood vessels become damaged or diseased.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned an independent laboratory test in 2009 on 48 skin care products for children and found that 61 percent of the products tested contained high levels of two cancer-causing chemicals: formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.

A few drinks throughout the week won't affect you too much, but a weekend ritual of binge drinking may take its toll not only on your social life, but on your skin as well. Alcohol depletes skin of moisture, vitamins and nourishment, leaving it looking less than healthy and fresh.