Dry Skin Needs To Be Tackled Not Ignored

Although more common in older people, dry skin can occur at all ages.[Dry Skin Care]

Often it not only affects the face but also various other parts of the body, from hands to legs.

For those that live in cold climates this condition will be a common problem as the cold air dries out the skin quicker than anything else.

If your dry skin has appeared after a recent holiday in the sun chances are that the UV rays are the cause.
Always use a sun block or cream when out in the hot weather and after a long day sunbathing soothe the skin by applying after sun.

For most people that suffer from dry skin, the problem will take much longer to solve and often only the regular use of cream will keep the condition at bay. In this case, the key is to find the best skin care products to ease your symptoms and incorporate them into a strict daily skincare routine.

This will likely involve certain lotions for certain areas of dryness, as it is unlikely that a brand that works well on the hands will be beneficial for the face.

The various products available for people that suffer from dry skin will take up many shelves at your local pharmacy. If you are unsure take advice from the assistant or listen to a friend’s recommendation, also most creams have very informative packaging.

Always give the chosen product a chance, nothing will magically work overnight. If you want to go for an alternative treatment, take time to research particularly on the internet. This is a centuries old problem so the solution is out there somewhere.

Choosing An Anti Aging Cream: What Should You Look For?

Most women want to preserve their youthful skin and look to use the appropriate cosmetic product that will give them the best results to this end.

However with the plethora of cosmetics out there which promise to give you miraculously younger looking skin in a matter of days, it is difficult to understand what to choose and how!

So when choosing an anti aging or anti wrinkle product, look for the following ingredients, which offer, the best chance at Sun Screen

Pick a product with sun screen having a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more. This is one of the basic tips to protect your skin from aging.

The sun’s rays are most responsible for signs of aging on your skin. So pick an anti aging cream which includes an SPF or you can use a sun screen separately.
Retinol

This is a vitamin A compound and an antioxidant, which helps in lessening the harmful effects of free radicals. Retinol, in its various formulations, has been known to stimulate the renewal of skin cells and reduce dark spots.
Hydroxy Acids

You probably see written on many of the anti aging products: AHA’s and BHA’s. These are Alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and poly hydroxy acids which actually help in exfoliating the top layer of skin removing dead cells.

This exfoliation and renewal capacity of AHA fruit acids helps to dissolve the intracellular “glue” that holds the dead cells together on the skin.

Using this on a regular basis gradually enhances the exfoliation of the epidermis and stimulates the production of fresh skin cells to compensate for the missing ones.

Since most creams that use AHAs use a moisturizing base, this means that your skin receives moisture and nourishment, meaning a lighter complexion, fewer pigmentation spots and less marked wrinkles.

If using a product with AHA’s, remember that this exposes the lower layer of skin even more to sun damage, so they should always be used in conjunction with sunscreens.
Coenzyme Q10

This is said to protect skin against sun damage and regulate energy production in cells.
Copper Peptides

These have been seen to stimulate the production of collagen in the skin and to assist in skin healing.
Kinetin

This is known to smooth wrinkles and remove uneven pigmentation.
Green, Black, Oolong Tea extracts

The Camellia sinensis plant, which is what all tea comes from, is well known for having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, when drunk and also when applied topically.

So remember to look for these active ingredients rather than just reaching for the most expensive jar, thinking if it’s more expensive it must be better, which is a fallacy!

Anti-Aging Products May Speed Up Skin Aging

According to recent research, nearly a third of women under age of 25 are regularly using anti-aging products, which they actually don’t need.

Some experts say that young women are not only wasting money on products which they don’t need, but also damaging their skin permanently.

Dr Susan Mayou, consultant dermatologist at London’s Cadogan Clinic, explains that anti aging creams designed for older skins can be heavy for younger skin and causes damage to skin.

Eczema patients who use anti aging creams that are too greasy often suffer from occlusive folliculitis, a skin condition that prevents sweat to escape from clogged pores and causes itchy red bumps.

5 Tips To Prevent Skin Aging

Skin is the largest organ in the human body playing a vital role as the first line of protection, securing the most delicate organs in the body.

Ways in nurturing the skin is considered essential for a person’s total wellness.

Skin aging is a very usual problem a person encounters with the years.

There are two types of aging categorized as intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging. The intrinsic aging is the natural aging process brought by the genes one has inherited.

The extrinsic skin aging is caused by environmental factors like sun exposure and unhealthy lifestyle.

To treat skin aging, one should know the reasons of this problem and find possible means to address this issue.

Extrinsic skin aging is caused by several external factors that go together with the normal aging process that results to premature aging.

Here are 5 top tips to prevent the skin from premature aging.

A person who is exposed in the sun without putting any skin protection is prone to develop skin problems that later contribute to skin aging. Uneven and rough skin, freckles, age spots, loose skin, facial spider veins, blotchy complexion and skin cancer can be traced to serious unprotected sun exposure.

Dermatologists recommend that a person should apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 20 minutes before sun exposure. The higher the SPF it has, the more protection it offers against ultra-violet radiation.

Another prevalent cause is cigarette smoking which initiates biochemical changes in the body accelerating skin aging. People who smoke for several years are found to develop a complexion with unhealthy yellowish hue, a significant sign of skin deterioration. Deeply wrinkled and leathery skin is noticeable among smokers compared to those who are non-smokers.

But these signs can be reduced when a person decides to avoid and even completely stop the habit. Individuals who decide to quit smoking show less facial wrinkling and improved skin tones are becoming visible upon breaking off the cigarette smoking.

Also, a daily intake of retinol which is a fat soluble vitamin can help in preventing rapid skin aging. One of the most usable forms of Vitamin A, retinol is important in vision, normal bone & tooth development, reproduction and maintaining a healthy skin.

Another pointer to delay signs of aging is exfoliation. A regular session of exfoliating helps a person to have a glowing skin as it removes the first layer of dead skin that may cause blackheads, whiteheads and worst, acne. It gently removes the visible fine lines caused by excessive dirt, oil and dead skin cells.

Finally, one is encouraged to invest in antioxidants that help in repairing damages allowing rejuvenation in the damaged areas of the skin. There are many natural skin care products that contain antioxidants which help in fighting free radicals. Fruits and vegetables are also good sources of antioxidants.

What To Look For In An Effective Anti Aging Cream?

Many women have tried out different anti aging creams only to be frustrated with the results.

You might have tried dozens, but usually these do not gave much change for you.

If you will seek out information regarding these skin creams, you will learn a lot and most probably, you realize that you need not spend on the most expensive to get most effective product.

The best anti aging cream may not likely have the best endorser or not the most expensive, what you should consider when looking for a cream is their content.

Savvy consumers should primarily research about the useless and harmful contents of mainstream products.

These products having harmful ingredients should be best avoided because they are only a waste of money and can even cause harm to your skin.

In addition, consumers should also look for ingredients which are clinically proven to smooth wrinkles, increase collagen production and helps tighten skin.
Harmful Ingredients found in anti aging cream

Avoid parabens, which are chemical preservatives that stabilizes anti aging cream for it to maintain the consistency. These are proven endocrine disruptors and can increase the risks of getting breast cancer. They are mostly present in mainstream products and you can find them with prefixes – ethyl, butyl or methyl.

Before buying any product, make sure to scan and check the labels. Aside from being cancer causing, these parabens are also mixed with alcohol which can further dry out the skin.

Alcohols are also commonly used as base for many beauty ingredients. You have to realize that this is the last thing that you need for aging skin as dry skin causes more wrinkles.

Meanwhile, mineral oils are also ingredients that are best avoided as they only suffocate the skin and trap the toxins under the surface.
What to Look for

Looking for the mot effective anti aging cream may require a bit of research on the part of the consumer. But the information you get will be very useful and help you separate the bad stuff from what you really need. Some great anti aging cream ingredients includes-

Phytessence Wakame

An effective anti aging cream should have this ingredient which is a powerful anti-oxidant that protects you against cancer and premature aging. You also have an increased amount of hyaluronic acid and make your collagen and elastin cells stronger for firmer and smoother skin.

Active Manuka Honey

This ingredient in anti aging cream helps moisturize, soothe and stimulate the growth of more collagen and elastin cells. It is also proven to have potent anti-oxidant powers by many scientists.

Cynergy TK

This popular ingredient in anti aging cream has been proven to create more collagen and elastin cells. Studies show that it increases the thickness of the outer layer of the skin to lessen folds and wrinkles.

These are just some of the most important ingredients that you should look out for in an anti aging cream. There are only a few mainstream products that carry these ingredients so you might want to check out label to avoid alcohol, mineral oil and parabens.

Preventing Premature Aging The Right Way

Well we aren’t asking to be holed up in some sort of hyperbolic chamber where we can miraculously stop time and stop aging altogether.
However as it is with life and everything in it, there is a time and place for everything.
And aging before you should be aging is definitely never a good time and never a good place to be in.
So here are some handy tips on how to make sure you best represent the fabulous year that you are living.

Skin is always in! Make sure that you properly exfoliate and wash your face daily. Yes, sleeping with your makeup on (no matter how hot your companion is) is never a good thing.

Investing in a proper deep cleanser is worth the bucks. Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize. Don’t just focus on your face; make sure your neck, legs, arms and hands get lathered up too.

Sun block. Believe or not, nowadays, SPF 15 really is pretty minimal protection. Yes, we fondly reminisce at the time when we would angle the tin foil folder just right to make sure the rays hit your face.

And baby oil anyone? Well thanks to the Ozone, and a lot more common sense, it’s time to make sure that your skin is prepared for your day in the sun. Go for broke.

Make sure that when you are basking in the sun, you are armed with proper SPF (20 or higher). And yes, use a firm (tightly woven) hat, and nothing says glamour (and more common sun sense) than a fabulous pair of shades.

But you have to make sure that your body is well protected. Safe sun is always a good thing. And it’s not just for summer anymore.

Even though the flakes are flying in the middle of winter, that is the time where more need to protect yourself is paramount as logic says, the sun is more reflected in the white goodness that is surrounding you in the streets. So layer it on. 365 days a year.

Sweaty is good. The ol’ adage, “never let ‘em see you sweat’, doesn’t mean that you have to stop sweating all together.

Sweating is essential as it removes the dirt in your skin and again, that’s why Mother Nature graced us with sweat glands to begin with. See? There is a reason for that.

You can be smoking hot, without the smoke. Yes, even though it looked oh so glamorous when Lauren Bacall did it, but it is just so not cool or hot.

Never mind the obvious health issues related to lighting one up, it would also add premature wrinkles to your face. Enough said.
Make H20 your best friend. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! Drinking lots of water daily is crucial. Even though you may have to hit the ladies room a lot more, think of it this way, you are giving yourself and your skin the replenishment it needs.
Now you can get your age back, and relish in the beauty of staying in the present, mentally and physically.

3 Things To Keep In Mind When Buying Anti Aging Cream

Anti aging creams and formulations will promise you the earth from flawless, unlined skin to skin that will make you 10 years younger in weeks if not days.

However, it is important not take those claims at face value, and to keep in mind these tips for choosing the most effective anti aging cream or skin care solution:

1. Look for a product that uses no fragrances. After all, fragrances are added chemicals that can actually end up irritating the skin, particularly sensitive skin. They can even impact your mood negatively and make you 1. irritable. So look for anti aging products that are 100% fragrance free.
2. The product should be clinically proven to be effective. This does not mean taking the word of a beautifully made up model who is paid to say what she is saying, but actually statistics and numbers of the percentage of improvement found by actual users and their satisfaction with the product.
3. Use a product with active ingredients, if possible up to 50% active ingredients because it is the active ingredients that determine the efficacy of the produce and its potency.

And lastly use the product regularly and as recommended in order to actually see results.

Bee Venom – The New Botox?

It seems that there is a new anti aging procedure on the horizon and it is something that you are ordinarily at pains to avoid – Bee venom to fight signs of aging and the new treatment is getting support from an unexpected source – Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall and wife of Prince Charles.

bee venom to fight signs of agingWith her penchant for riding in the great outdoors and smoking, it is small wonder that the Duchess needs some help in the department of easing those fine lines from her undeniably weather beaten face.

Though it sounds rather difficult to believe, the evidence is there for all to see, in the photo before and after pictures (taken in 2005 and then this year) seem to speak for themselves, many of the lines seeming to have vanished!

Other celebrities have also benefited from the treatment, including the likes of Danni Minogue and others so that there is a waiting list of those desirous of the treatment.

So is this treatment painful? Not at all, beautician Deborah Mitchell claims, “It keeps skin firm and youthful and is not at all painful, there is just a slight tingle as the blood supply and nutrients flow into the skin tissues.”

High End Products – Same Ingredients As Generics?

This article raises an interesting point about how sometimes the ingredients of high end products and generics could be identical or similar to a large extent.

The article speaks about a high end ‘Miracle’ anti aging product, called Clark’s Botanicals Cellular Lifting Serum which retails for 225 pounds (or more than 350 dollars) which is clearly something that only the well heeled can afford to use. This product contains a rare Swiss apple serum which is its USP.

Now, however another brand, Superdrug is selling almost the same formulation, containing the same rare Swiss apple serum – but for less than 10 pounds or about 15 US Dollars.

According to Andrew Groom, brand director of Superdrug, the customer is paying just for the active ingredient and nothing else.

Other top end companies have a lot of overheads, such as marketing, advertising, expensive models, fancy packaging, and all of these costs get passed on to the consumer.

When you think about it, why should the consumer have to pay for all of this, when you get the same benefit from a similar product that is as good and as beneficial but without the unnecessary fripperies?

Is the cache and the brand name really worth all that? Only the consumer can decide obviously!

Top 5 Skin Firming Practices

You do not have to look old even if you are aging already. Our technological
advances have made it possible for us to slow down the aging process. As aging takes its toll in our body, our skin takes a heavy beating as well.

When our skin weakens they tend to sag and cause wrinkles and skin discolorations such as age spots due to the fact that as we grow older we produce less collagen and elastin.

Skin firming is one of the treatments we have been accustomed to as of today.

It helps our skin reduce the wrinkles we have acquired throughout the years due to aging.

Being responsible of ones self can prove to help reduce the aging process by being aware of the effects of aging and researching about the different techniques for skin firming.

There are many ways to promote skin firming today. As people have become more aware of its aging and its effects, they have also sought skin firming as a resolve.

You can personally do your research about skin firming, yet listed here are some of the basic anti-aging treatments you can practice today:

1. Use anti-aging cream

These skin firming creams can be found in almost all beauty stores. They tend to be a little expensive given the fact that it is on high demand.

These creams have a substance called Retinol or Vitamin A that helps in reproducing skin cells by rejuvenating them. Such creams also contain antioxidants and other amino acids to help in skin firming.

2. Have a healthy diet

A good way of promoting skin firming is through proper nutrition. Consuming foods that are rich in antioxidants have proven to work. Always keep yourself hydrated all throughout the day.

3. Exercise regularly

This helps in promoting elasticity due to constant movement of your muscles. It helps with proper circulation of your blood. Good exercise also promotes muscle growth that keeps your body firm and fit therefore accelerating skin firming.

4. Undergo steam treatment

This skin firming technique helps in moisturizing your face using steam that removes toxins from your face by flushing them out through your pores.

You can do this at home, or if you do not have the proper equipment for it, you can go visit the sauna found at your local gym.

5. Treat yourself to facial and body massages

These skin firming techniques also help in the circulation of blood and oxygen in your system. Massaging the wrinkled areas help in tightening the skin. Spas offer different massages and they tend to use specialized oils that are applied on your face or body to promote skin firming.

If you are serious about skin firming then solutions are always easy to find and it requires personal dedication on your part. Researching about other options for promoting skin firming is a start to a better and brighter look.

Before engaging in other techniques, perhaps it is also best to consult a skin professional for them to lead you with proper guidelines to follow to bring out the youth in you.

Avoid These 5 Aging Myths

Check out these 5 skin care myths that could actually be causing you to make the sort of mistakes that age you –

1. Skin Should feel tight after washing – If it does feel tight, your face is probably harsh and is drying your skin. This can trigger excess oil to be produced (triggering breakouts) and cause fine lines to appear.

2. Drug Store Products are not as good – It doesn’t matter whether the product is generic, or an expensive brand; it’s the ingredients that are important.

Look out for ingredients such as peptides, antioxidants, retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, green tea, vitamin C etc. within the top ten in the list of ingredients. Also look out for opaque packaging and airless pumps that keeps your fingers and oxygen out of the product.

3. Anti aging products make skin look worse – It is lasers and chemical peels which may cause redness and blotchiness in the skin. However topical creams do not.

4. After 40, sunscreen is no use – Not so. At age 40, the damage to the skin is only just beginning and it is important to continue using sunscreen.

5. If it doesn’t work right away, try something else – Stick with a product at least for a while to gauge its efficacy. Different products work differently on different kinds of skin.