Lady363

How to keep your skin looking great!

Invest some time and care!

Everyone wants to have younger looking skin. Unfortunately, even the most expensive skin care products, with all their claims of ‘reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles’, can’t turn back the years. However, don’t despair! There are steps that we can all take to make sure our skin looks healthy and vibrant and stays wrinkle-free for longer. All we’ve got to do is invest some time and care in looking after it.

It is important to understand the basic function of our skin in order to look after it properly. The skin is our body’s largest organ and comprises three major layers:

The Epidermis: This layer has five sub-layers; the outer layer consists of mainly dead cells which are continuously shed and replaced by cells beneath. The epidermis is also responsible for ‘water proofing’ your skin, protecting your skin from potential invasion of microbes and generate new skin cells which move from the deep layer of the epidermis to the outer layer, where they are eventually shed.

The Dermis: Is the ‘middle layer of the skin and is composed of connective tissue containing collagen and elastin. The dermis is thick in the palms and soles and very thin in the eyelids. It contains blood vessels, nerves, glands, and hair follicles.

The Subcutaneous layer: This layer consists of areolar and adipose tissue. Fibres from the dermis extend down into the subcutaneous layer and anchor the skin to it. The subcutaneous layer, in turn, attaches to underlying tissues and organs.

Aging of the skin

There are several factors influencing how quickly our skin ages, ranging from genetic factors, your natural skin type, as well as external factors such as exposure to sunlight, environmental factors and whether you smoke or not. In general, pale skins wrinkle faster than darker skins, which are protected by increased amounts of pigment and lipids.

Another vital factor is, of course, our age. Our skin looks and functions very differently at 20 as opposed to when we are 60.

Below is a skin care plan of how to look after your skin as the decades go by and how to adapt your skin care regime accordingly.

Looking after your skin in your 20s

Your 20s is a great time for your skin. You’ve left behind the adolescence acne and your skin has a radiant, youthful glow and the epidermis is well toned.

However, this is not the time to be complacent. In your 20s skin cell renewal drops by up to 28 per cent, dead skin cells are not as easily shed and external factors are starting to have a greater impact, leaving your skin slightly duller.

According to dermatologists, 80 per cent of all aging can be directly related to exposure to sunlight. Therefore, it is a good idea to avoid the mid-day sun, or if you have to be out in the heat of the day (especially in countries like Australia), than cover up. Penetrating UVA rays will start to damage collagen fibres and elastin coils in your skin.

Smoking one factor you can control and now would be a good time to quite. Smoking inhibits oxygen getting to the outer layer of your skin and has a premature aging effect. In addition, smoking can cause fine lines around the mouth over the years and this is to be avoided – if you want to keep your good looks.

Looking after your skin in your 30s

By the time you get to your 30s skin cell turnover has slowed. Environmental damage from pollution, smoke and sunlight are starting to take their toll on the dermis, causing collagen fibres to loosen so that skin starts to loose its tone and develop fine lines and wrinkles. When you smile, subcutaneous fat forms ridges and refuse to bounce back as readily as it once did. Your first wrinkles may start to appear.

By now you should have established a daily skincare regime that involves exfoliating (two or three times a week), cleansing, moisturising and sun protection for your skin. In your 30s, it’s important to maintain a balanced diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and fish, which are high in antioxidants such as Vitamins A, B, C and E. These Vitamins counteract free radicals in your body that help the skin to repair itself, produce the enzymes that stabilise collagen production, and stay moist and healthy. For further protection, try using a day crème, such as one that contains vitamin E, for example: Wildcrafted’s Age Defying Essence.

Alcohol should only be consumed in moderation as it deprives your skin of vital nutrients and may cause your facial blood vessels to become dilated leading to permanent, red ‘spider veins’ on your cheeks and in men often across the nose.

Maintaining well hydrated tissues by drinking plenty of water each and every day (3 litres a day is not at all excessive) is vital to retain moisture in your skin. In addition, you should ensure that you get enough quality sleep.

Looking after your skin in your 40s

In your 40s, collagen fibres decrease in number, stiffen, break apart, and form into a shapeless, matted tangle. Elastic fibres lose some of their elasticity, thicken into clumps, and fray. The result is the skin forms crevices and furrows known as lines and wrinkles. In addition, loss of fat in the subcutaneous layer leaves your skin more fragile, whereas the dermis will continue to lose its elasticity. A rich nourishing night crème, such as Wildcrafted’s rejuvenating night crème, becomes a vital part of your skin care regime.

During this time the stratum corneum (the outer layer of the epidermis) starts to grow even thicker, as dead skin cells hang around for longer. If you are not already using an exfoliant regularly, now is a good time to get into the habit of exfoliating your skin regularly using a facial scrub – 2-3 times a week is all that’s necessary. You could also use a cream containing Rose oil, Jojoba oil or similar, as these contain natural AHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids) and to help remove dead skin cells.

As deeper wrinkles start to form, you may wish to use a complete skin care system, which systematically helps you to nourish and moisturise your skin on all levels. Choose natural skin care products for your daily skin care regime, as you do not want to introduce unnecessary toxins into your system by using products full of unpronounceable chemicals. Quality natural skin care systems, such as Wildcrafted’s range of natural skin care systems should be matched to your specific skin type.

Looking after your skin in your 50s and above

As we reach our 50s and beyond, the hair and nails grow more slowly. Langerhans cells (involved in the immune response, dwindle in number, thus decreasing the immune responsiveness of older skin. Decreased size of sebaceous (oil) glands leads to dry and broken skin that is more susceptible to infection.

In women, after the menopause, decreased oestrogen levels mean that skin lose its plumpness and tone, and it may be left dry, itchy and more sensitive to allergens.

At this stage in your life it is important to take that extra care of your skin’s health. Mature skin is more fragile, prone to injury and infection and bruises easily. As if this was not bad enough, it also takes longer to heal. Taking care of your skin will reduce the aging effect; keep it healthier as well as more resistant to injury and infections. Remember, a face that has a lived in look is much more attractive than a Botox face and character is much more beauty.

When it comes to skin care products, you will find that a lot of people are very particular about using only natural skin care products. They treat all the synthetic products as harmful to the skin.

So, are natural skin care products the answer to all of our problems? What if a natural skin care product is not available for the treatment of a particular skin disorder? Are the synthetic skin care products so harmful that they should be banned?

Different people have different answers to these questions. However, the reality is that due to presence of synthetic preservatives, it’s really tough to find a natural skin care product that is 100% natural. There are natural skin care products that have natural preservatives, but their cost might be detrimental. Moreover, such natural skin products have a shorter shelf life and hence are not preferred by the manufacturers of natural skin care products.

Some people carry a wrong notion that since natural skin care products are natural, they cannot cause any harm to the skin. The suitability of a skin care product is not based on whether it is synthetic or natural. An unsuitable natural skin care product can harm you in almost the same way as a synthetic one. So, use natural skin care products, but be open to synthetic ones too (you might need them when a natural solution is not available)

Your selection of a natural skin care product should be based on 3 factors:

* The skin type (dry, oily, normal, sensitive) of the person who will use that natural skin care product

* The climatic conditions in which it will be used e.g. hot and humid condition would warranty the use of oil-free natural skin care products.

* The process for application/use of the natural skin care product. A good natural skin care product (in fact any product) can seem useless if not used in the proper way.

You can also make natural skin care products by yourself, by using the recipes that are readily available on the internet and in the books at book stores.

Use of organic fruits and vegetables is also popular as a natural skin care procedure. Some essential oils, herbal oils, are useful too and are known for their moisturizing and antiseptic properties

However, using a natural skin care product does not mean that you can exercise carelessness with other aspects of skin care. Natural skin care products should be used like supplements to the following ‘essential’ recommendations: healthy eating habits (avoiding oily food), regular exercise, drinking a lot of water (8 glasses everyday), and cleanliness. This will then form a perfect and completely natural skin care routine that will help maintain a healthy beautiful skin for longer time.

Every individual has different skin types and some people are born with naturally beautiful skin. Some people never have to worry about using skin care cosmetics and others choose not to use them because they are worried that they are too harsh on their skin. However, since most people today are concerned with their skin’s appearance the cosmetics industry continues to grow. Even those with good skin may want to use cosmetics to maintain their good skin. Your self confidence in enhanced through your skin which makes it very important to maintain.

Many wonder whether skin care cosmetics are useful or harmful. Beautification is the primary purpose of skin care cosmetics. There has been much discussion about both the good and bad aspects of skin care cosmetics.. Each individual will either have good results from skin care cosmetics or they may have bad results. There is usually bad results if you use too much of a skin care cosmetic.

Cleansing and moisturizing is the basic structure of any persons skin care routine. Exfoliating is a procedure that should be done often but too much exfoliating will only cause damage to the skin. It is okay to add skin care cosmetics to your daily routine. You should make sure you select the right cosmetics so that they can help improve your beauty.

To choose the right skin care cosmetics for your skin you should follow the following five tips:

1. Once you figure out what your skin type is you should make sure you use products that are recommended only for your skin type. Read the label carefully and make sure you find the right product for your skin type whether it is sensitive, oily, normal or dry.

2. Place a small amount of the cosmetic on your skin to test your skins reaction. This is the best way to test whether or not the cosmetic will be too harsh for your skin.

3. Carefully read the product ingredients. Make sure there are no ingredients in the cosmetic that you may be allergic too. Some cosmetics may have a high alcohol content which can be harsh on your skin.

4. Allow follow the correct procedures for any product. When applying the product don’t stroke too hard and no matter how much you think you can get better results don’t over apply the product. Applying too much of the product can cause greater damage to your skin.

5. Before using any product or treatment it is best to talk with a dermatologist if you have an existing skin problem. This will help your prevent further damage to your skin. It is best to avoid overuse of skin creams or experimenting with products without talking with a dermatologist first.

There are many ways to repair skin damage and maintain its youthful appearance. It could be as simple as following basic skin care, avoiding those that lead to skin damage and finding all natural skin care products ideal for your type of skin. The problem, however, is that there are so many different creams and skin care products out there. Skin care tips are sometimes contradictory that the once simple solution to skin damage became more baffling.

There is no best cream for everyone but there is such a thing as healthiest cream for your skin. This is because people’s skin type differs. Some are oilier while some are drier. Some are more tolerant of the sun’s rays while some are more sensitive. A person’s lifestyle should also dictate on which cream to purchase. This is because people can be exposed to different triggers that cause free radicals. This means that all natural skin care products you have to purchase should focus on protection your skin needs the most.

The first thing one has to consider when buying the healthiest cream is its protection against the sun. Long exposure to the sun has been long proven to lead to skin damage that sunscreen is one of the best bets for choosing one. Being exposed to the sun for long hours has many consequences including sun spots, discoloration, dryness and wrinkles.

The condition of the skin will inevitably deteriorate with time but it can be slowed down with apt skin regimen and all natural skin care products. There are a few components that your cream has to have to guarantee that it would help you keep that youthful glow. The first one is antioxidants. Free radicals lead to oxidation which has been considered to be a culprit in the process of skin aging. Antioxidants, such as vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E have been known to kill free radicals and keep the cells of the skin healthy. Having these ingredients in your skin care products would definitely prove to be beneficial.

Products with water and oil need preservatives to prevent bacterial growth after they are opened. Most skin care products contain preservatives, such as quaternium-15 and imidazolidynyl urea, that sometimes cause skin irritation. For people who have skin reactions from these preservatives, it is best to resort to all natural skin care products.

Another main consideration is the moisturizing properties of the cream. Moisturizers, in all natural skin care products, can hold water in the outermost layer of skin. Aside from that, they also act as a temporary barrier that allows damaged cells of the skin to be repaired on their own. Again, it all depends on the type of your skin. For normal to oily skin, water-based moisturizers are best to avoid that greasy feeling. On the other hand, those with dry skin and mature skin may need more moisturizing components that it has to be oil-based.

It is not enough to use the cream that suits your skin best. You still have follow a basic skin care regimen and avoid other factors that lead to skin damage. A multi-level strategy might just do wonders for skin repair and its maintenance. Having a well-balanced diet and having a healthy lifestyle can also improve the condition of your skin.

‘Serious skin care’ is about maintaining a healthy and glowing skin all through your life. As you grow older, your body’s natural skin care mechanisms become weaker. So, ‘serious skin care’ is about responding to the changing needs of your skin. Thus, ‘serious skin care’ is about constantly evaluating, analysing and changing your skin care routines. Your skin care routine should change based on the environmental conditions, your age and changes in your skin type.

‘Serious skin care’ is also about awareness. With the technological advancements and research, more and more facts are being brought to light everyday. Also, the composition and nature of skin care products seems to be changing with time. So trying out the new products is also a part of serious skin care. However, ‘serious skin care’ advises using a new product over a small patch of skin (not facial skin) first, just to see how your skin reacts to it.

‘Serious skin care’ also means knowing how to use your skin care products. Good practices include things like applying the moisturizers while the skin is damp, using upward strokes for better penetration of skin care products, removing the make up before going to bed, cleansing before moisturising or applying make up, using the correct amount of skin care products, etc. Thus, increasing the effectiveness of your skin care products is another focus area of serious skin care.

Some precautions, like avoiding contact with detergents, are also part of serious skin care. ‘Serious skin care’ means being gentle with your skin. Things like over-exfoliation, use of low quality products, and application of strong-chemical based products, are all harmful to your skin. Some people have a wrong notion about serious skin care. For them serious skin care is – using large quantities of products as often as possible. However, this really isn’t serious skin care (and that’s why awareness is so important).

‘Serious skin care’ is also about visiting your dermatologist for treatment of skin disorders. Ignoring the skin disorders can be fatal for your skin and might lead to permanent damage. So, if the things don’t improve with over the counter medication, you should immediately visit a dermatologist. Self-surgery e.g. squeezing of acne/pimples is a big no (it can lead to permanent damage of your skin).

So, seriously serious skin care is more about precautions and preventive measures (than treatment). Serious skin care is about being proactive as well as reactive. In fact, we can say that ‘serious skin care’ is about being proactive about the needs of your skin so that the need for being reactive is reduced to a minimum.

Talking about skin care, ‘facial skin care’ seems to top the chart. There are loads of facial skin care products available in the market. The most common facial skin care products are the ones that are used as part of daily routine. These include things like cleansers and moisturizers. Toners and exfoliation ones are well known too but not many people use them as such.

The general classification of facial skin care products is based on the following:

* Gender (so there are facial skin care products for men and there are facial skin care products for women)

* Skin type (facial skin products for oily skin, facial skin care products for dry skin, facial skin care products for normal skin and facial skin care products for sensitive skin)

* Age (facial skin care products for old and facial skin care products for young)

* Skin disorder (i.e. facial skin care products for treatment of various skin orders like eczema, acne etc)

So that is your starting point for choosing a facial skin care product that suits you. A good way to start is by determining your skin type first. Also note that the skin type changes with age, so the facial skin product that suits you today, might not suit you forever and hence you need to constantly evaluate the effectiveness of your facial skin care product.

The facial skin care products are available in various forms i.e. creams, lotions, gels, masks etc, and a lot of people try to pit one against the other in their discussion on which form is best. However, one can’t really rate one form as better than another form. What suits you (and whatever you are comfortable with) is the best form of facial skin care product for you, really.

However, it’s important to note that these products work differently for different people. So the best thing is to try the facial skin care product on a small patch of skin (e.g. ear lobes) before actually going ahead and using it.

Another important consideration is the state of your skin. If you are suffering from a skin disorder of any kind, it is best to seek the advice of a dermatologist before you actually make your selection and start using a facial skin care product.

Once you have selected the facial skin care product for yourself, you also need to ensure that you use the facial skin care product in the right way i.e. follow correct procedures for application, use the correct quantity and make the facial product a part of your skin care routine.

y important to understand that the skin care creams you utilize can impact the condition of your skin. Skin care moisturizer creams with an over-abundance of emollients will trigger oily skin. Skin care creams with high-strength cleansers and exfoliating gels oftentimes dry out your skin or make it overly sensitive, especially when applied without truly realizing what your unique skin type is.

Before you choose a proper skin care cream suitable to your skin, you need to know what influences your skin, and in what condition is your skin is in. Choose a day when you have not applied any skin care moisturizer creams or skin care creams to make an evaluation of your skin. The reason why you should carry out this assessment when you are not wearing makeup or skin care creams or skin care moisturizer creams is that the nutrients supplied by the skin care creams affect the sebaceous glands provide oil for your skin. This will not let you make a clear assessment of your skin.

Once you have assessed the needs of your skin, with proper skin care creams or skin care moisturizer creams, you can give your skin the right treatment whenever and however frequently it needs it. This treatment is much better than anything at an expensive medical facility.

Skin care creams or skin care moisturizer creams are effective for people who are in the habit of washing their faces frequently. Skin care conditioners containing functional anti-puritic ingredients such as tar-based pine oil and oatmeal can be beneficial for individuals with severe dry skin conditions.

Medical and skin experts contend that applying topical skin care creams or skin care moisturizer creams are best for the skin’s regeneration process.

Basically, skin care creams or skin care moisturizer creams consist of substances that help the skin to regenerate its lost fatty tissues and elasticity. They have special components that specifically aim at the targeted areas in order to stimulate the skin to produce collagen and elasticity. The skin’s innate moisturizing ability is restored by these two elements.

But not all skin care products are made with identical ingredients. Different kinds of skin care creams are produced to work with certain types of skin or to address specific skin conditions. In a future article I will cover some of the additional factors that need to be considered when choosing skin creams that will best work for wrinkles.