Monday, 25 March 2013

Should You Use Anti Wrinkle Facial Cream On Your Body?

Let’s say you’ve been using anti aging skin care products on your face for years, maybe even decades. You feel confident in how you are aging gracefully. You’re experiencing far fewer wrinkles and fine lines on your complexion than many of your peers, and your firm skin gives you a youthful appearance that amazes your friends and family. No one has a clue how old you are when they look at your face. The only concern is that the rest of your body has continued to age at its normal pace.

With all the pressure to appear young and beautiful forever, keeping your complexion’s youthful looking skin is absolutely a priority. But don’t let the rest of your body slide at the expense of your face! You can use the same anti wrinkle cream that you use on your face to eliminate wrinkles on your hands, neck, and any other locations where your age begins to show.

Keep in mind the skin on your face is thinner than that of the rest of your body, so while you may see amazing results from your products very quickly on your facial skin, it may take a slightly longer time frame to see the same fantastic results on other parts of your body.

Hands
As you get older, the skin on your hands begins to thin, and may be more prone to age spots and wrinkles. This is a similar phenomenon to what happens to your facial skin as you age, so applying a natural anti aging cream to your hands and face simultaneously allows them to age at the same speed.

Arms
If your weight has yo-yoed up and down over the years, you may notice a little bit of wrinkling on your forearms and wrists from loose and thinning skin.  Utilizing a wrinkle reducing cream can help tighten this up and prevent the skin from wrinkling further in the future.

Neck
Some people say the best way to determine a woman’s true age is by looking at her neck. Well, who says your neck has to tell the truth? When you apply your anti aging face creams, don’t stop at the jaw line; go all the way down your neck, focusing especially on any creases that may be caused from your neck movements and the way you carry yourself. (Hint: you can also eliminate neck creases by working on your posture!)
 

Chest
While you’re giving your neck a good once-over every day, you might as well keep applying those natural anti aging creams even further down, right onto your chest. Whether you wear modest clothing or lower-cut shirts, a little bit of skin is often still visible around the base of your neck and your collarbone.

Sunday, 24 March 2013

What Features Age You Fastest?

When it comes to aging gracefully, you know that taking care of your skin now means you’ll look way younger than your age in a few years. But if you’re only focusing on your face, you may not notice your other features aging until prevention is impossible. What features should you be aware of as your body ages, and what can you do to disguise the signs of aging?

Neck
Your neck is often the most obvious sign of aging. As your skin on your body becomes thinner and loses its collagen, it begins to appear saggy. This is when many people begin to experience “chicken neck.” To prevent your neck from looking older than the rest of your body, apply an anti wrinkle skin cream and any other anti aging skin care products that you use all along your neck, including up under your chin, down to your chest and around the back and sides of your throat.

Hands
For your entire life, your hands stay busy — they perform difficult tasks, they carry around children, they get dirty — and they take care of your entire anti-aging beauty routine. So why shouldn’t your hands receive the same pampering as your facial skin? Protect your hands by applying a thick hand cream or lotion before bed, and any other time the skin feels parched. This will keep the hands soft and supple, and will encourage firm skin and collagen regeneration.

Teeth and Lips
Thinner facial skin means more fine lines popping up, and none are so obvious as the lines that appear around your lips. These lines can cause your lipstick to bleed, which takes away from your beautiful smile. Apply anti wrinkle products around your lips (just ensure they’re safe for use around your mouth first!) and use a moisturizing lip balm to keep the skin on your lips hydrated and full to hide any lines. While you’re working on your kisser, you may choose to use an over-the-counter whitening product to keep your teeth sparkling.

Eyes
Smiling and laughing may make you feel younger, but unfortunately it does a number around your eyes. You should begin using an eye wrinkle cream well before you first notice crow’s feet or laugh lines, and continue using an anti wrinkle eye cream every night before bed even after they appear. These creams help to reduce the appearance of lines, and make your eyes look younger by moisturizing the skin and “filling in” the lines.

Hair
Graying hair or a dated hairstyle can make you appear older than you are, even if your skin still appears perfect. If you choose to embrace your new silvery color, choose a hairstyle that looks modern to keep from looking overly mature. You also have many options for covering gray and styling your hair in a more youthful, but still grown-up, manner.

Tuesday, 19 March 2013

Reduce Dark Spots Caused By Acne

As a teenager, when you suffered from chronic acne and nothing you did seemed to make it go away, it seemed easier to pick and pop your pimples than to treat them and wait for them to recede. And once you left those blemished years behind, acne became just a ghost from the past … but one that tormented you years later with dark marks where pimples past had been.

Let this be a warning to the future generations of teens — stop picking at your face! But if it’s too late, and the damage is done, you can still reduce the appearance of dark spots from old acne blemishes.

Where do the dark spots come from?
When your skin sustains an injury, such as a cut or wound, your body quickly forms tissue to try and heal the area. Often times you notice this tissue as a scar; because it is produced so much more quickly than normal skin cells, the tissue is usually a different texture and color, so you notice it against your regular pigmentation. The same is true on your face — those dark spots are hyper pigmentation caused by skin damage.

How can I lighten my dark spots?
There are many chemical lighteners out on the market that promise lighter skin with quick results. Don’t fall for the hype — you may notice results, but at the expense of your skin’s future. Chemical-laden products can cause problems later, so stick to organic or natural beauty products.

Exfoliate at least once a week with a face scrub and a washcloth. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and brings fresh cells to the surface. Over time, your skin will have shed enough that lighter layers underneath will see daylight.

After you exfoliate — and on days you don’t scrub up, after you’ve cleansed your face in the morning and at night — apply a good anti aging moisturizer or anti aging skin cream. The ones that will provide the best results contain ingredients such as aloe vera and vitamin E. (This is because both of these help to reduce irritation and inflammation, and encourage skin regeneration.) Bonus, these are natural ingredients and can be found in natural skin care products quite easily.

How can I prevent future dark spots?
Never pop your pimples again! Many adults still experience acne from time to time, but keeping your hands away from your face will dramatically reduce your chances of scarring or spotting. If you can’t keep your hands away, use an anti-inflammatory healing gel from a natural skin care line to reduce the redness and encourage the skin to heal. Don’t forget to stay out of the sun as well — acne isn’t the only thing that can cause dark spots!

Monday, 18 March 2013

Prevent Wrinkles By Removing Your Makeup

As a kid, did you ever sit and watch your mother remove her makeup with a bit of cold cream right before bedtime? It didn’t make much sense at the time, but now of course it’s easy to see that to mom, aging gracefully was just as important a priority as it is to you today. And now that you’re grown, you know that the simple act of removing your makeup before bed allows you to avoid excessive dryness, acne blemishes and even the onset of wrinkles and fine lines. Of course, the actual methods of makeup removal also make a difference, as doing so improperly can increase your chances of wrinkles.

How to Remove Your Makeup
Before you utilize any sort of facial cleansers, toners or moisturizers, choose an oil-free makeup remover from a reputable skin care line that will gently remove even the toughest of waterproof mascaras. With your chosen product, soak a cotton ball with remover and then swipe the cotton across your eyelids. Do not pull or rub on the skin, but gently swipe until all traces of makeup are gone.


Once your mascaras, eyeliners and shadows are gone, use your regular face wash and warm water to remove any traces of foundation and powder from the rest of your face. Continue on with your normal bedtime routine of natural beauty products, and finish off with an eye wrinkle cream or other anti aging skin cream, depending on your skin’s needs.

How NOT to Remove Your Makeup
No matter how hard it is to get those mascara clumps out of your lashes, never ever ever pull on the skin around your eyes to try and remove your makeup. The skin around your eyes is even more delicate than that on the rest of your face, and tugging on it can cause premature wrinkles and lines. If you have patience, and consistently put in the effort to treat your skin with care, maintaining firm skin — not to mention younger looking skin — will be a breeze.

If you’ve having trouble removing your makeup, focus on that area with a cotton swab soaked in makeup remover, and repeat until the whole area is clear.

Why You Should Remove It
If you’ve ever woken up with your makeup still crusted onto your eyes and dry, crackly lipstick, you know it’s not a pretty sight. Not only does it make you feel dried out and drab, leaving that gunk on your face while your skin is at rest allows it to settle into your pores, which can encourage breakouts.


If you absolutely cannot find the time to do a full removal at the end of the day, keep a pack of disposable wipes on your vanity or bedside table to give your face a good swipe before you head to sleep, and apply your anti aging skin care products after you cleanse in the morning.

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

When To Start Using An Anti Aging Night Cream

When it comes to aging, an ounce of prevention can save a lifetime of wrinkles and fine lines. It follows, then, that at some point in your adult life, you should begin using anti aging skin care products so you can have younger looking skin as you get older. The only questions are: when is a good time to start using these products, and how soon is too soon?

It would be a mistake to say that any age is too soon to take care of your skin. After all, you have to protect and maintain your youthful looks while you have them. However, it is agreed upon that by the time you reach your 30s, you should have an established skincare routine that includes a night cream or anti aging skin cream. If you’re about to turn the big 3-0, or have already surpassed that milestone, you should consider finding the right anti aging wrinkle cream for your skin as soon as possible.

The point is, that no matter how much you make aging gracefully a priority, your skin has natural processes that it will follow if you don’t disrupt them. It naturally begins to thin as you get older, and it becomes more dry, crepe-like and prone to sagging. By using an anti wrinkle facial cream, you’re keeping your complexion hydrated so that it doesn’t feel or look dry, and therefore it appears fuller and healthier. This ensures that by the time fine lines and wrinkles try to set up camp, your skin is soft and hydrated enough that lines aren’t as visible.

If you’re still in your teens or 20s, obviously anti wrinkle skin creams don’t need to be in your beauty arsenal just yet. Even though it’s too soon for a night cream, you should still be taking good care of your skin and setting up good habits that will lead to a beautiful complexion for the rest of your life. You should be applying an SPF sunscreen under your makeup every single day, as UV rays are the main reason that wrinkles form early. You should also apply a light daily moisturizer, though you may still consider an anti aging moisturizer or other hydrating natural beauty products.

Just because you don’t have any wrinkles yet is no reason to neglect your daily routine. Your standard everyday moisturizer plumps up your skin in the same way as heavier anti aging face creams, keeping your epidermis healthy and minimizing the risks of developing wrinkles early. If you want to know how to look younger when you’re in your 40s and 50s, you have to begin taking care of your skin properly in your 20s and 30s.

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

The Beginner’s Guide To Moisturizing Cream

If you’ve never before purchased an anti aging moisturizer, the process can seem daunting, if not downright intimidating. What’s the best type to buy? How do you know if it will work well on your skin? And of course: if you haven’t used it before, why should you start now? All those questions and more are answered here, so you can quickly become an expert on your skin and its needs.

Why start using a moisturizer?
As your skin ages, it begins to lose its elasticity. Using a moisturizer (particularly a moisturizing anti wrinkle cream or anti aging skin cream) improves your skin’s ability to “bounce back” after facial expressions, and reduces the risk of future wrinkles and fine lines. You want to start now, before you notice your first wrinkles, because prevention is key.

What should I look for in a product?
There are a few things your moisturizing cream should do — hydrate your skin, absorb quickly and not clog your pores. It may take a little trial and error to find your perfect product, but a few things you should look for on the label are the terms “water based” and “non-comedogenic.” These mean it should absorb faster than oil-based products, and that they won’t cause breakouts.

What should I avoid in my moisturizing products?
Many drugstore anti aging skin care products contain chemicals such as parabens, petroleum and alcohol. These chemicals not only can cause long-term damage to your skin, but they can also negate the purpose of using an anti aging cream; these harsh ingredients are drying and don’t allow the skin to breathe properly. (Be aware, petroleum can hide in products as “mineral wax.”) The only way to truly avoid all chemical components is to look for organic or natural anti aging products.

How do I know if a product is any good?
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to their preferred skin care line, but the best place to start is by asking friends or acquaintances if they’ve ever used a product line and what they think of it. If you’re speaking to a trusted friend, you may even ask what products they use and consider giving those recommendations a try. As an alternative, the Internet contains a wealth of product reviews and knowledge, so you can be informed before you buy.

How often should I use it?
A good rule of thumb is to apply your face cream every time you wash your face. Whether that’s morning and night, or just once per day, you know what works for your skin. In addition, you should apply more any time your facial skin feels dry or tight. It may take a few days to get into the habit of applying a new organic beauty product, so you may want to place your cream near the bathroom sink or by your bed, where you’ll think to apply it.

Thursday, 7 March 2013

Common Plastic Surgeries For Aging (And Why You Should Avoid Them)

Even if you have decided you are going to try aging gracefully, no one actually wants to look like they’re aging. Because of this, more and more people opt to go under the knife or needle as they head into — or out of — middle-age. If we only consider the face-related plastic surgery options, there are still several types of “freshening up” one can do, and with a great surgeon, no one will be the wiser about the procedures you’ve had done. But not all surgery stories end with such great news. Some procedures require frequent touch-ups, and others can have life-threatening consequences if not done properly. Here are a few of the most common procedures for wrinkle reduction, and why you should avoid nipping and tucking whenever possible.

 
Forehead Lift
A forehead lift tightens the skin and muscles of the forehead to eliminate wrinkles and fine lines. This is often accompanied by a slight lift to the eyebrows, which is supposed to make you look younger. The Bad News: You might be stuck with a surprised expression. Occasionally, lifting the brows will compromise your ability to move them properly, which can make varying facial expressions difficult. It also may be harder to move your forehead when making expressions, and fixing these problems requires a follow-up surgery. If you’re concerned about droopy eyes, look for a good eye wrinkle cream that will encourage firm skin around the eyes for a more natural lift.

Botox Injections
Botox is a toxin injection that fills fine lines, most often around the eyes and in the forehead. The injection temporarily paralyzes the muscle it is administered to, so it becomes harder to move. The Bad News: Botox is, at best, a temporary solution. To maintain the smoother skin, you’ll have to continue getting injections every three or four months, and if you require multiple injections per visit, the costs can add up quickly. In addition, your face may have a frozen appearance, as facial expressions may be difficult. If you’re concerned about fine lines, utilize an anti aging moisturizer that will plump up lines and make them less noticeable.


Facelift
A face lift tightens the skin all over the face by removing fatty tissue and lifting the skin toward the scalp. It smoothes away wrinkles and reduces saggy areas, including under the chin. The Bad News: This cosmetic surgery has a steep price tag, but similarly to botox, the results aren’t permanent. The skin can continue to sag and wrinkle even after the lift. In addition, nerve damage and death are a risk. If you’re concerned about looking “old,” find a natural skin care line with anti wrinkle products to minimize and even remove wrinkles.


Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Natural Ways To Firm Skin

The second you notice your first fine lines or saggy places in your complexion, all of a sudden there’s a barrage of thoughts: I look old, how do I keep my face looking youthful, am I too young to consider botox injections? Before you high-tail it to the doctor’s office for fillers, check out these younger looking skin tips that are completely natural, and good for you too!

Get Your Heart Pumping
To firm skin not only on your face, but also all over your body, get up and get moving. Regular exercise (20 minutes of cardio at least three times per week) helps improve circulation, which allows more oxygen and nutrients to reach the epidermis. Exercise also helps flush the body of toxins through sweat and additional water consumption.

Move Your Face
Along the lines of exercising your body, you can also do face-specific exercises to tone the skin in various locations. “Facercises” can reduce flab on the neck and jowls — one such exercise is to tilt your head back as if you’re looking at the ceiling, pucker your lips and make a kissing motion toward the ceiling. Repeat ten times. There are many other exercises that can tone specific parts of your face as well.

Stay Hydrated
Keep your H2O close at hand, and drink up. Getting enough water keeps your complexion hydrated, which makes cells appear fuller and helps improve the production of collagen so skin remains able to “snap back” after facial expressions.

Eat Well
Avoid processed foods and sugary drinks like colas, and instead enhance your meals with brightly colored veggies and sources of lean proteins to give you energy. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, which help remove toxins in the body and skin. These antioxidants prevent damage from the environment.

Lotion Up
It’s good for your complexion to stay hydrated, but not every potion is created equal. You want an anti wrinkle skin cream that contains antioxidants and healthful ingredients without chemicals and irritants. Choose an organic beauty product to ensure it only contains ingredients that can be found in nature, which are easier on sensitive skin. Once you’ve found your perfect product, apply it regularly — at least twice per day. Hydrated skin has an easier time healing itself and producing collagen so it appears healthier and smoother. Bonus: hydrated skin makes wrinkles and fine lines much more difficult to detect.

Stay Stress Free
Worrying, anxiety and stress can have a big impact on your skin. Worry lines and frown lines could be easily avoided with a de-stressing routine. Take a few minutes each day to breathe deeply and let go of daily stressors; meditate or take a yoga class to relax your body and muscles. Keep your body healthy and your skin will follow.

Friday, 1 March 2013

How Your Skin Ages As You Do

Unfortunately it’s inevitable that as we age, our skin ages with us. Though it would be nice to look 25 forever, it seems that nature is against us from the get-go. Despite the myriad of anti aging skin care products available to help delay wrinkles and fine lines, the skin has its own processes it goes through as you get older. With some of these processes you can control your destiny, so to speak, and determine how to age gracefully through skin-damage prevention. Other processes are beyond your control, but maintaining a skincare regimen complete with anti wrinkle products can help you maintain your youth. Here, we’ll take a look at these processes.

The skin ages in two ways: extrinsically and intrinsically. Intrinsic aging is simply how the human body was meant to age, and results from nothing other than genetics. Extrinsic aging is the kind you have a major say in; your lifestyle and daily choices can make a big difference in your skin’s appearance.

With intrinsic aging, you don’t get to control how your skin behaves. Beginning in your 20s, collagen and elastin production slows down each year. With less collagen being produced, the skin begins to thin and becomes more prone to wrinkles. Over time, gravity starts taking its toll, causing the skin — especially in the cheeks and chin — to sag. Facial expressions from your 20s and 30s may come back, as fine lines set up camp around your eyes and mouth.

Don’t let this description scare you though! Your complexion doesn’t have to look your actual age. You can have younger looking skin without resorting to botox or cosmetic surgery if you simply take care of the skin you have and treat your body well. The first step is to understand what you can do to preserve your youthful appearance.

The second type of aging is extrinsic. This is the way you age due to factors in your environment that you can control. Excessive amounts of time in the sun, a pack-a-day cigarette habit, and stress can all age you quickly. In addition, these habits can be drying, which makes you appear even older. However, while you can’t prevent inevitable intrinsic aging (or damage you’ve already done via extrinsic aging), you can use anti aging skin creams and wrinkle reduction products to minimize the damage.

The best things you can do to maintain a great complexion as you age is to wear SPF moisturizers every day, stop smoking, and get healthy; this means a balanced diet, alcohol and caffeine in moderation, and making sure you get enough sleep and exercise. Keep skin moisturized with the help of an anti aging moisturizer, which keeps the skin plump to minimize the appearance of fine lines.