You may think of olive oil as a staple for your pantry, but it may also be a staple in your makeup bag as well. This vitamin E-rich beauty powerhouse can help you look younger, keep your skin feeling supple and even calm irritation.

Cosmetic products often contain a variety of compounds with unusual names. These chemicals, such as olefin sulfate, typically work to tweak the underlying chemistry of the soap or beauty product and generally are present only in small amounts.

Stretch marks can be the enemy of a teenager's growing body. These reddish-purple lines can form when the skin stretches beyond its normal limits and scar tissue forms in its place. They are common in areas where you may experience growth spurts, such as the hips, thighs, buttocks and abdomen.

Cocoa butter, the sweet-smelling fat that comes from cocoa beans, is a treat for dry facial skin. Cocoa butter is an occlusive emollient, which means it acts as a barrier to keep skin soft and prevent moisture loss.

Your skin 's natural color is a result of melanin which is responsible for pigmentation. When your skin produces excess melanin, a condition known as hyperpigmentation occurs, leaving you with darkened skin tone in certain areas..

When you have sensitive skin and facial hair, it can be embarrassing and difficult to remove. Shaving can leave painful bumps, while waxing can leave your skin flushed and irritated for days. Even tweezing can be irritating and painful.

Making your own body lotion is affordable and easy to customize with exact ingredients. Coconut oil and rose water are beneficial for dry skin, and when combined, the ingredients make an at-home body lotion that leaves skin moisturized.

To avoid the preservatives and chemicals in commercial face masks, make fresh and natural face masks at home using basic ingredients from your pantry. A yogurt, oatmeal and honey face mask is soothing and smoothing.

Bodywash is an effective and convenient alternative to traditional soap. Many bodywash products contain moisturizers and function as all-in-one products, working as soaps, shampoos and shaving gels when necessary. They are more sanitary than bar soap, and are ideal for storing in the bath or for travel.

If you've had mosquito bites you also may have little dark spots on your legs or arms. Especially if you have fair or sensitive skin, those little bite marks can take a long time to go away on their own.

Skin discolorations are common on the skin. For many, they can be birthmarks resulting from simple and harmless factors, such as a highly concentrated spot of melanin in your skin. Other times, though, discolorations can be a cause for concern and may indicate more serious trouble on the horizon.

Natural skin care for any skin tone, including black women, is no further away than your kitchen. Black skin has distinct characteristics and typically benefits from extra moisturizing in the form of natural, emollient-rich oils.