Choosing Moisturizers to Reduce Wrinkles

If you aren’t sure what they do, moisturizers are used to replace natural skin oils to cover tiny fissures (or openings) in the skin, and to provide a soothing protective film. Thus, evaporation of the skin’s moisture is slowed, which helps to improve the appearance and feel of dry and aging skin. An effective moisturizer increases water content, reduces water loss, and restores the skin’s ability to retain water.

Who doesn’t want smooth, hydrated, healthy skin? From basic formulas that claim to keep skin moist, to concoctions that promise an end to aging skin and wrinkles, the choice of a skin moisturizer can be overwhelming. You can look at information on moisturizers for different skin types.

(Scientists say a moisturizer will smooth skin to temporarily make wrinkles less apparent, but unfortunately, moisturizing your skin will not have any long-term effect on wrinkles.)

Look for products that:

* help to make the skin smooth and supple
* duplicate and enhance the skin’s natural moisture retention mechanisms
* are good to sensitive skin – hypoallergenic, non-sensitizing, fragrance free, non-comedogenic (Read about Sensitive Skin Other Skin Conditions.)
* absorb rapidly and last long

Remember, too, just because a product has a certain ingredient, that doesn’t necessarily mean it has enough of it to make a difference. Dermatologists look for a number of substances to complete a moisturizer’s make-up:

* Emollients such as plant and mineral oils, shea and cocoa butter, petrolatum, cholesterol, silicones or animal oils (including emu, mink and lanolin). These lubricating ingredients soften and smooth skin while helping it to retain moisture.
* Water-binding agents that keep water in the skin, called Humectants, are important for skin damaged by sun and dehydration, but they won’t help your skin retain water.
* Occlusives, which are substances that physically block water loss in the stratum corneum, or layers of the skin, include: Petrolatum (in a minimum concentration of five per cent is the most effective occlusive), followed by lanolin, mineral oil, and silicones such as dimethicone, which act as a protective part of skin barrier creams.
* Soothing agents and anti-irritants, such as bisabolol, allantoin, burdock root, aloe, licorice root, glycyrrhetinic acid, green tea and chamomile extract, are added to many moisturizers to help skin handle ingredients that may cause irritation.
* Pure mixtures of amino acids are useless as moisturizers, while pure solutions of glycerin are ineffective, and propylene glycol by itself is irritating. However, alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid or glycolic acid, appear to help reduce roughness and scaling.
* Vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamins A, C and E, get mixed reviews. Some experts say these ingredients have the ability to heal and hydrate, while others insist there’s little evidence of their effectiveness when applied topically, especially in the quantity found in most moisturizers.

Side Effects of Skin Creams

Choosing Mosturizers

Moisturizers aren’t without their side effects. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor:

* sweat retention (miliara rubra, i.e.: petrolatum and lanolin)
* irritation (urea; lactic acid; propylene glycol; solvents)
* allergic contact dermatitis (fragrances, preservatives, i.e. parabens, formaldehyde, Quaternium 15 and Imidazolidinyl urea; lanolin; additives, i.e.: vitamin E and aloe vera
* photo contact dermatitis (fragrances, UV filters)

The skinny on skin – five points

* Study the active ingredients listed on labels in order of the amount contained. If soothing aloe vera or vitamin C is 15th on the list, you’re not getting much of it
* Be wary of claims that products will increase your own natural collagen or elastin, whose job is to keep skin plumped up and youthful-looking. The molecules in these products are too big to actually penetrate the skin.
* Wash your face no more than twice a day with a gentle cleanser formulated for dry skin. Washing more often can dry your skin.
* Add a few teaspoons of olive oil or lavender-scented oil to your bath.
* Steer clear of added fragrance, preservatives and botanicals, which may irritate already dry skin

Get your money’s worth

Which is better? High-end brands or low-cost brands? Drugstore shelves seem to have an overwhelming choice of products, with each company vying for your dollars. Experts say that often low-cost brands are just as effective. You can stretch your money’s worth of product by applying your moisturizer on damp skin – it will absorb better.

Facial Masks for Wrinkles and Moisturizing

A facial mask is generally defined as a substance that is applied to the face, much like smearing on cream. It is thick, and often resembles clay. Many masks make use of clay or gel as a base, as these will stay in place when applied, and they are generally harmless to most skin types (although gel is used most for sensitive skin, as heavy clay irritate it). Masks are meant to cover the entire face and then remain in place for a few minutes before washing off. The materials in most masks are safe to be washed down the sink.

Facial masks are an important part of skin care. It is recommended that you use a facial mask at least once a week. While it is not necessary to go overboard and wear one every night, a weekly facial mask session cannot only help your skin receive moisture, but it can also ease skin disorders. Facial masks can be soothing or energizing, and the actions and rituals often involved with applying a facial mask can be an effective stress reliever.

Most facial masks include both deep cleaning and moisturizing agents in the mask. This allows the cores in the face to be cleansed deeply, getting rid of oily build up and trapped dirt. This can help reduce or even prevent acne. Additionally, many masks help slough off dead skin. The dead top skin is dull and lusterless. When it is gently removed, the mask brings the top layer of dead skin cells off with it. This leaves younger, healthier cells exposed as the face’s surface. This means tighter skin and a more brilliant complexion. It can also reduce the look of fine lines and small wrinkles to carry out a regular facial mask.

Another reason that facial masks are so popular involves the soothing and relaxing motions associated with applying a facial mask. If you decide to have one applied in for relaxation as well as the benefits it has for the skin on the face, then you can have a very enjoyable experience. In spas, these masks are applied with special techniques and often include a massage. You can give your own face a gentle massage just prior to applying the mask, and if you are systematic about it, you can apply the mask in a way that is singularly soothing. All masks should be applied to a freshly cleaned face, rinsed with warm water. This opens the pores and allows the mask to do its thing. Warm water is very calming and soothing, and many people find this part of the application to be one of the more enjoyable stages.

Apply the mask in a circular motion until it covers the face. This is calming and stimulating at the same time. Let the mask sit on your face for 15 to 20 minutes (although some are meant to be worn all night). Many women like to lie down and relax. The effect can be enhanced by the addition of candles or incense and some soothing music. Finally, when it is time to rinse the mask, do so in cold water. This will help close the pores, protecting them against dirt and oil, and also energize your face.

Many people enjoy making their own facial masks from common household products like bananas (for wrinkles), avocados, and honey (antibacterial). Butter can also be used as a remedy for dry skin. Other masks can be created using different types of clays, and different essential oils can be used for different skin types. Fruit purees also have different effects and yogurt and milk can soften the skin. Oatmeal is extremely soothing, and most sensitive skin types can use masks of this sort. Adding rose petal powder can enhance your fragrance without the need for perfume, while citrus fruit peel powder acts as an astringent.

When you decide to make use of facial masks, you are certain to feel the good effects of it later down the road. And if you apply them once a week, you can help keep your face healthy-looking and your complexion brilliant with a healthy glow.

Natural Anti-Aging Products and Tips

While the right skin care products can do wonders over time, there are occasions when you need an instant lift. Whether you’re prepping for a party, reunion, or date night, these quick tips will get you out the door looking gorgeous and radiant.

Anti Aging products include facial cleansers, toners, moisturizers and facial masks as well as sun protection.

This natural facial cleansers that contain Aloe Vera, Vitamins A and E, gently remove dirt and make up which could damage and clog your skin. In addition, it promotes vitality to the skin by maintaining and adding moisture.

Facial toners with grape seed and green tea extracts can enrich the skin with minerals and natural ingredients to hydrate normalize and tone the skin.

Herbal anti aging masks should be free of preservatives and chemicals.Looks for masks enriched with a concentration of botanicals, vitamins and enzymes. Once on the skin, the mask promotes capillaries to increase blood flow and delivery of oxygen. Components like lavender, cumin, vitamins C and E have powerful antioxidant properties and fight free radicals. The herbs nourish the skin, assist in building collagen and promote healthy tissue regeneration. This unique combination of botanicals will calm blemishes, fight bacteria, minimize spots caused by sun damage, pregnancy and acne.

Intense moisturizers are the top anti-aging product to help reduce wrinkles and dry skin. Anti oxidants, vitamins like vitamin A and E and minerals will hydrate dry and dull complexions. Zinc repairing creams will further heal, repair, nourish, and protect your skin against sun damage and environmental toxins.

Anti aging regimens are designed to promote health, youth and radiance for your skin. Every product should be designed to work in synergy with the others in order to restore and maintain flawless and fresh skin.

2. Banish Dark Circles
At least you can look like you got a full 8 hours
After 40, skin loses elasticity and thins, which can make you look tired and allow blood vessels to show through, heightening discoloration. Concealer lightens dark circles, gives lids the appearance of a lift, and brightens your face. Here are three steps to cover correctly.

1. Choose the Right Hue: Pick a yellow-based formula that’s at least two shades lighter than your skin tone.
2. Apply It: Using a small-headed concealer brush, apply a dab along the lower lashes to the innermost corner of eyes and the hollows of the nose. You can also use your ring finger, which has a naturally light touch and added warmth to tap and gently blend.
3. Set: A dusting of a sheer, loose, yellow-toned powder locks the concealer in place.

3. Give Your Face a “Lift”
Our brains associate thick, groomed eyebrows with youthfulness
“When brows are thin and light, they make your features disappear, adding years to even the youngest looking face,” says Damone Roberts, a celebrity eyebrow artist. Fill in sparse spots with a dark brow shadow to create the illusion of thickness. Apply the powder with an eyebrow brush or a washed and dried mascara brush (aka a spooly brush) and then use your fingertip to blend it. Don’t, however, increase the height of your arch in order to “lift” your face. “You’ll go from looking youthful to looking angry,” Roberts says. Simply follow the natural contour of your brow.

4. Smooth Fine Lines
A last-minute regimen that works
One hour before your event, exfoliate and apply moisturizer; the combination offers immediate plumping that lasts several hours. “Even gentle sloughing causes skin to swell slightly, making wrinkles less noticeable,” says Elizabeth Briden, MD, adjunct associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota. Use a scrub with smooth, spherical beads that polish without causing redness (look for polyethylene at the top of the ingredient list). Follow with a moisturizer that contains zinc or comfrey – to reduce sun damage and heal inflammation.

5. Hide a Blemish
Step-by-step tips to camouflage flare-ups
“In my own battles with the occasional blemish, I’ve found that the opaque coverage offered by stick foundation works best,” says makeup guru Bobbi Brown, best-selling beauty author and founder of her own multimillion-dollar cosmetics business. Surprisingly, she says, concealer is not the solution; it’s designed to be lighter than your skin tone and will accentuate the discoloration. Choose a foundation that’s the same color as your skin and spot-apply it using a small, pointed brush; then pat with your index finger to blend. Finish by applying sheer powder with a velour puff or small powder brush. If you still see the blemish, repeat this process.

6. Soothe Redness
Relieve irritated skin naturally Soak a clean washcloth in cold milk and place it over your face for 10 minutes. “Milk contains proteins, fat, amino acids, and vitamin A—all of which reduce redness and calm irritated skin,” says David Bank, MD, a dermatologist in Mount Kisco, NY. Bonus: The lactic acid in milk exfoliates, so skin looks soft and glowing.

Natural Anti-Aging Facial Masks are also a great way to instantly add plumpness and vibrancy to dull, dry skin. Look for all natural or herbal ingredients to reduce the possibility of allergic reactions.

Natural Skin Care to Prevent Premature Aging

Aging is a normal process of life and the evidence of aging shows on our skin. As we age skin begins to thin, dry and dull due to slow cell turn over. New skin cells do not grow as quickly, resulting in thinning skin. As a result, dead skin cells shed less quickly making the appearance of the skin dull and dry. Collagen and elastin-the system of fibers that make skin firm and elastic-begin to break down, resulting in sagging and wrinkles. Pigmentation is more prominent as we age when melanocytes, (which produce skin pigment) begin to produce irregularly. Research has shown there are two different factors in aging; intrinsic or internal and extrinsic or external.

Intrinsic aging, the natural course of aging, has to do with genes and inheritance. Natural aging begins at birth; however, signs of aging begin to appear on the skin in our mid 20’s. Intrinsic aging includes slower cell turn over, and less collagen production. Elastin begins to break down which acts like a rubber band enabling our skin to stretch and snap back. Visible signs of intrinsic skin aging include fine lines, loss of suppleness, dry and thin skin.

Extrinsic aging are the external factors that age the skin. These include sun exposure, health and diet, gravity, sleeping positions, smoking, drinking and even facial expressions. External factors cause premature aging to the skin and can become visible rather quickly.

While intrinsic factors are mostly uncontrollable, fortunately, extrinsic aging is controllable. Skin aging is a normal process however, premature aging of the skin can be prevented. A healthy lifestyle, yearly physical exams and topical care of the skin can prevent premature aging. A healthy, active life style will create healthy, strong skin from the outside in, preventing premature aging. Physical exams may catch early signs of skin damage that then can be treated. Topical skin care allows the skin to absorb ingredients through topical products that aid in building the epidermis and dermal layers of skin, the skin that is and will become visible. Topical care includes skin care products such as cleansers, moisturizers, serums and sunscreens.

To prevent premature aging is to treat your skin as one of a kind. There are many different skin types, meaning what one person is doing to take care of their skin is not necessarily what you need to be doing to treat your skin. However, the most important products to aid in preventing premature aging are cleansers, exfoliates, moisturizers with hydrators and sunscreens. Cleansers will cleanse the skin clearing excess oil, dirt and debris. Exfoliates will slough off dead skin, deep clean pores and result in smoother more even skin tone. Moisturizers with hydrators will keep the skin supple and moist, while sunscreen will help to protect the skin from sun damage. It is also important to consider skin care products that include essential oils and antioxidants to help fight off free radicals that can further damage skin cells. Always consult a dermatologist before starting any skin care routine.

By Tiffany Oney

Tiffany Oney is a licensed esthetician, professional makeup artist and natural skincare authority. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies California State University, Long Beach and interning with Vivoderm Natural Skincare in Los Angeles, California.

Five Top Ways to Age Gracefully

The biological make-up of our skin begins to show signs of aging as early as our 20s. Age shows not only on our face, neck and chest but all over. There are many ways to care for your skin and prevent premature aging. Following are five ways that you can age gracefully. These are things you can do in your daily life that will dramatically reduce signs of aging.

• Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit. We all know that smoking is bad for us and affects our body negatively. Smoking
  

  smoking causes wrinkles

  contributes to premature aging and many other health problems. The many chemicals in cigarettes influence the skin’s structure and dehydrate the cells, resulting in increased aging.

• Get some sleep. Research has shown that people who sleep regularly seven to eight hours a night are healthier than those who lack sleep or over sleep. Sleeping allows the body to repair cellular damage and recharge. To prevent signs of aging on the face, try sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your stomach or side can damage skin by slowing down circulation and weakening the skin’s elasticity, resulting in wrinkles.
• Sunscreen, use it, wear it, and love it. Wear sunscreen everyday-even on cloudy or rainy days, and even if you are just going to be outside a short time. We all know that the sun has harmful affects to the skin. Sun tanning and burning damage the skin, leading to premature aging. Sun exposure over time leads to wrinkles and ugly pigmentation spots. There is no excuse to not wear sunscreen, it comes in all forms and is formulated now to be lightweight and beneficial to the skin as well as giving sun protection.
  
• Hydrate and Moisturize the skin from the inside and outside. Hydrated skin is healthy and plump, looks moist and shows few wrinkles and lines. As we age our skin loses elasticity; using moisturizers with ingredients such as vitamins and minerals that help repair the skin is the best way to restore elasticity and prevent its break down. Drink lots of water to hydrate the skin internally and use a good moisturizer. Try intense facial moisturizer or zinc repair cream by Vivoderm.
  
• A healthy lifestyle and healthy diet can dramatically strengthen the skin and prevent premature aging. Fruits, vegetables,
  

  healthy diet and skin

  nuts and other nutrient- rich produce give the body strength to fight and repair damage. If you are good to your body from the inside out, you will have less external maintenance. Part of a healthy life style is getting exercise, so get up and get moving. Fit people also tend have less heath problems. Health problems can lead to premature aging of the skin by showing wrinkles and damage earlier than those people who choose to be healthy.

There is no way to prevent aging – it is inevitable, however there are ways to slow it down. Today there is plastic surgery and amazing skin care products to improve the look and feel of skin. But it’s never too late to prevent further damage so you don’t have to take the drastic measures of plastic surgery or spend tons of money on skin care later in life.

By Tiffany Oney

Tiffany Oney is a licensed esthetician, professional makeup artist and natural skincare authority.  She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies California State University, Long Beach and interning with Vivoderm Natural Skincare in Los Angeles, California.

Anti Aging Skin Care Treatments

The best skincare is also the simplest. Easy to follow instructions prevent you from making a mistake or skipping a vital step. There’s no need to go to extremes, just follow a consistent skincare routine and your skin will look more youthful for the rest of your life.

Here’s some tips for the best skincare.

Stay in the Shade. We all need a little sunlight. It makes us feel better. Many people suffer from seasonal depression. It’s caused primarily by a lack of sunlight. But, limit your exposure to no more than 15 minutes of direct sunlight.15 minutes three times a week will insure that you get enough vitamin D. UV rays from the sun do too much damage to the skin.They cause the cells to produce less hyaluronan – a protein import in tissue and skin-cell repair. Evidence continues to show that you cannot rely heavily on sunscreens.

Drink More Water. Why do people have dry skin? Well, there could be any number of reasons, but one that is very common is minor dehydration. Severe dehydration, of course, causes stomach cramps and other problems, this is not the type we are referring to.

But, many people walk around everyday with mild dehydration, because they simply don’t drink enough water. Seventy percent of your body weight is water. Each of the cells in your body is comprised mostly of water. That includes the cells of your skin. At least eight (8) ounce glasses per day is a good rule to follow, but to keep it simple, have a glass with every meal or snack, drink one when you wake up in the morning and another before you go to bed at night.

Eat Right

Often people forget to include this step in their anti aging skin care guide. If your diet is lacking in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, then your body does not have the ingredients that it needs to go about repairing cellular damage on a daily basis.

Facial Creams

Anti Aging Skin Care Treatment: Creams, Gels & Lotions

As you continue to follow the anti aging skin care guide above, you are ensuring younger looking, healthier skin throughout your lifetime.

The right anti aging skin care treatment and anti-wrinkle creams can undo some of the damage that occurred in your youth. There are many on the market to choose from. Some are not very good, but others are great. The best ones are designed to help your body produce new collagen and elastin fibers. The loss of those two components causes many of the outward signs of aging. Now there are a number of products on the market that contain small amounts of collagen derived from bovine hide, but skin cells cannot actually absorb it. So, products that contain it are ineffective.

Phytessence Wakame

Wakame has been getting a lot of press lately. Wakame is a specific type of Japanese seaweed or kelp. It was used for years both as a food source and also to keep younger more beautiful facial skin. Recently it was learned that there are components in Wakame that actually undo some of the aging damage that has already been done and prevents additional damage from occurring. The kelp is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Phytessence Wakame was created using a process that allows for quicker deeper absorption into the pores.

Nanobelle CoenzymeQ10

Coenzyme Q10 has become a popular ingredient in many anti aging skin care treatment creams, but the companies that use it did not consider that unless the antioxidant is finely ground to a microscopic powder, it cannot enter the pores. Only Nanobelle will penetrate to the deepest layers, healing and soaking up free radicals as it goes. Other things to look for include products that will light age spots and lighten dark circles. High quality moisturizers are also important as dry skin is more easily damaged.

So there you have it. Choose the best skincare products you can find for your skin type and combine it with these simple steps to keep a younger and more healthy complexion.

Anti-Aging Skincare

Creams, Gels & Lotions

The right anti aging skin care treatment creams can undo some of the damage that occurred in your youth, ensuring younger looking, healthier skin throughout your lifetime. But, there are many on the market to choose from. Some are not very good, but others are great.The best ones are designed to help your body produce new collagen and elastin fibers. The loss of those two components causes many of the outward signs of aging.

Now there are a number of products on the market that contain small amounts of collagen derived from bovine hide, but skin cells cannot absorb it well, if at all. So, products containing this collagen tend to be ineffective. A few key ingredients are listed below with detailed descriptions. A more extensive short list is posted below them.

Nanobelle CoenzymeQ10

Coenzyme Q10 has become a popular ingredient in many anti aging skin care treatment creams, but the unless the antioxidant is finely ground to a microscopic powder, it cannot enter the pores properly. Only Nanobelle will penetrate to the deepest layers to aid in healing and removing free radicals.

CynergyTK is a breakthrough in the skincare industry as it has been proven to encourage and stimulate re-growth of both elastin and collagen in your body. Although your body knows how to produce these proteins, there are usually not enough to create noticeable effects on your face, which is where the CynergyTK comes in, it stimulates the collagen production to a level that makes a more noticeable difference.

Phytessence Wakame is an ingredient that stops hyaluronidase activity – an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. This acid is an important part of the structural proteins as it glues together collagen and elastin to form the protein fibers. The same with the two proteins, the hyaluronic acid diminishes as you get older so using an anti-aging treatment product that contains Phytessense Wakame is a must to preserve and maintain the youthfulness of the skin.Phytessence Wakame is a little known seaweed ingredient in the diet of the Japanese that helps keep the skin healthy and youthful in appearance. In extract form, it can be applied directly to the skin, phytessence wakame has the effect of strengthening collagen and elastin in the skin. It is also rich in B group vitamins which helps moisturize the skin and reduce inflammation.

Other products to add to your anti-aging arsenal, include those that lighten age spots and dark circles. High quality moisturizers are also important. Dry skin is more easily damaged than oily or well-moisturized skin.

Below are more ingredients that you may find in your anti aging skin care treatment or creams. Future articles will take various ingredients for a short synopsis on their effects and benefits.

Allantoin, Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (include AHA’s, glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, and citric acid), Alpha Lipoic Acid: Beta Hydroxy Acids (Salicylic Acid): Coenzyme Q-10, Collagen, Copper Peptides, DHEA, DMAE, Estrogen (Estradiol .o1% or Estriol .3%), Green Tea, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroquinone, Kinerase & Kinetin (N6-Furfurladenine), Kojic Acid, Liposomes, Lycopene, Pal-KTTKS, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide (Matrixyl), Progesterone, Tretinoin (Retinoic acid- Retin A / Renova), Retinol (a form of Vitamin A), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A derivative), Spin Traps, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin E (Tocopherol),Vitamin K.