Skin Care Information, Treatment, & Beauty Tips » Winter Skin Care

Finding the Best Anti-Wrinkle Skin Care Products for You

Jennifer — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 04:02:43 +0000

It seems that no one likes the idea of growing older these days, and many of us are on the hunt for products and procedures that will keep us looking and feeling young for as long as possible. When it comes to anti-wrinkle skin care products, there are a number of options that can help you to skim some time off of the clock. Some are topical treatments that you can purchase over the counter, while others require a visit to your doctor. No matter what anti-wrinkle skin care product that you choose, it is a good idea to do your homework to see if it is indeed a good product for your own personal needs.

Creams that Work

There are many anti-wrinkle skin care products that are topical creams, and the effectiveness is based on the ingredients in them. Alpha hydroxyl acids and retinol are two substances that can help you to see minor improvements in the quality of your skin. Other good ingredients to look for include copper peptides, coenzyme Q10, and antioxidants. For more potent strength in a topical formula, your doctor can prescribe retinoids that can effectively diminish the fine lines, even skin pigmentation and smooth the surface of the skin. These medications are not safe to use if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, and they can increase the sensitivity of your skin to the sun’s rays.

Other Techniques

Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are two procedures that can also be considered anti-wrinkle skin care products because they can effectively diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and leave your skin looking smoother and younger. These treatments entail sanding the skin to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells and the dull, aged appearance. Dermabrasion takes a couple of weeks to heal from, and it may take even longer for the pink tint to go away completely. Microdermabrasion takes off a finer layer of skin, so the healing process tends to be quicker. However, this procedure may require multiple treatments to keep the temporary effect going.

Chemical peels are another process for making skin look younger by removing surface skin cells. In this case, your doctor can apply a chemical to the affected areas of your skin that will effectively burn those areas off. New skin will take the place of the old skin that is removed, and it is generally smoother than the previous skin and contains less lines and wrinkles. This type of anti-wrinkle skin care product will also take some time to heal from and may require a series of treatments before you achieve the desired results.

Anti-wrinkle skin care products have become big business in recent years, as people have been relentless in their quest for the Fountain of Youth. If you are looking for a way to shave a few years off of your skin, talk to your doctor about some of your options in anti-wrinkle skin care products.

Nourish Your Skin This Winter to Fight Wrinkles

Jennifer — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:33:05 +0000

(ARA) – Winter is the toughest time of year on your skin. Cool, dry conditions leave your hands and feet prone to painful cracks, splits and flaking. The dryness also makes the wrinkles you’ve been trying so hard to ignore more prominent.

Don’t just sit back and take the abuse! There are some simple things you can do to give your skin a fighting chance against the elements.

What your mother told you is true. Diet has a lot to do with it. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables will provide your skin with the proper nutrients to fight off crows feet and nasal labial folds; but according to Dr. Steven Lamm, author of several anti-aging books, diet alone is not enough.

“As we age, the blood becomes less efficient at delivering the essential nutrients to the skin,” he points out. So what’s a gal to do? Dr. Lamm says the key to looking younger is bringing a wide variety of essential vitamins and minerals directly to the skin with the help of an enriched moisturizing cream like Dermalastyl-B.

Originally intended as a material that could be used to assist with tissue and organ regeneration, clinical testing proved that Dermalastyl also had a future in the cosmetics industry. Participants in a 2006 study in Manhattan reported a glow to the skin upon application and a hydrating moisturizing effect that lasted all day thanks to the cream’s main ingredient — a bio-available source of elastin, the protein that makes the skin elastic.

While the directions on the tube recommend daily use, Burt Ensley, CEO of the cream’s manufacturer, DermaPlus, says most people use it at least twice a day. “Once in the morning to serve as a protective agent for the skin, shielding it from wind and damaging UV rays from the sun. Then at night they put it on again to serve as a means for providing the skin with the nourishment it needs.”

Dermalastyl is not available in stores. It is only offered through the manufacturer’s Web site. For a limited time, you can get a free sample by logging on to www.dermalastyl.com or calling (800) 335-8312. All you have to pay for is shipping.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Beautiful Skin All Winter Long

Jennifer — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:30:54 +0000

(ARA)- When searching the Internet for “skincare” more than 62 million results come up—proof that skincare is a significant subject to so many people.

If further proof is necessary, a recent survey by Garnier found that 98 percent of women agree that having healthy skin is very important to their self confidence.

Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on costly injections and treatments, dermatologists tell us the best way to care for skin is to take care of your entire body. “To optimize your skin, optimize your diet,” says Ellie Krieger, MS, RD, a registered dietician specializing in nutrition and health communications. “A healthy diet is the true foundation for healthy looking skin.”

Krieger and dermatologist Diane Madfes, MD, have partnered with beauty company Garnier on their new skincare line, Garnier Nutritioniste. Krieger and Madfes used the strategy of keeping things simple in advising on product creation.

Nutritional truisms such as eating a diet rich in whole grains, vitamins and minerals go hand-in-hand with the science of skincare.

“Eating well is critical for your skin to be able to repair itself properly. Focus on lean protein, grains, healthy fats and lots of colorful fruits and vegetables each day and avoid high-fat, salty snack foods and refined sugar,” Krieger said.

“You should also use a sun block daily to decrease damage from the sun’s harmful rays as they can thin your skin and make redness more prominent,” Madfes added.

Drinking eight glasses of water every day, just like Mom said, turns out to be good for your skin as well. Water helps to maintain the skin’s elasticity and suppleness.

Other healthy activities that can make your body happy and your skin glow include:

* Exercise! It improves circulation and blood flow throughout the whole body.
* Get enough sleep. Your body renews itself while you’re sleeping. If you are not getting enough sleep your skin can show it through dark under eye circles, puffiness and breakouts.
* Don’t smoke. Smoking can accelerate the skin’s aging process and contribute to sallow skin and wrinkles in addition to numerous other negative health effects.
* Take your vitamins. A daily multi-vitamin provides the recommended daily allowance of, among others, vitamin C — which helps hold cells together, vitamin A — which supports skin growth and immunity, lycopene — an antioxidant that protects cells and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are important for normal tissue function.

Madfes and Krieger recommend Garnier Nutritioniste products such as Skin Renew Daily Regenerating Serum and Nutri-Pure Detoxifying Cream Cleanser precisely because they include such “dermatological-nutrients.”

In addition to building beauty from the inside out, women should pay particular attention to their skincare regimen. Careful cleansing and moisturizing can help deliver radiant, smooth, even-toned skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

A good moisturizer with added vitamins and nutrients works as a barrier to block out pollutants. Moisturizing regularly will provide a seal over the skin to keep moisture from escaping and also slowly release moisture into the skin. Using a gentle cleanser, without perfumes and dyes, will prevent skin irritations as will patting skin dry after cleansing.

Finally, cleaning and replacing cosmetic brushes and applicators regularly will help avoid introducing germs and bacteria into a carefully planned skin care routine.

Dermatologists and nutritionists confirm that the saying, “Beauty comes from within” is true after all. Eating right, exercising and reducing stress makes your body healthier and that shows in your skin. Once you’ve got that glow, simple skin care practices can help keep it and even enhance it.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Winter Proof your Skin with Honey

Jennifer — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 22:15:55 +0000

As colder weather blows in, consider a new beauty regime that protects against the bite of chilly temperatures. To beat the winter beauty blues, use 100 percent pure honey for soft, smooth and glowing skin.

Pure honey, natureâ€™s moisturizer, helps prevent dry skin and dull, lifeless hair. Honey is a humectant, drawing moisture into the skin. It easily produces spa-like skin care results, but without the spa-like premium prices.

Christopher Watt, owner of Christopher Watt Esthetics in West Hollywood, Calif., and skin care expert to celebrity A-listers, including Halle Berry and Ricky Martin, uses pure honey in most of his skin and beauty treatments.

â€œI recommend using 100 percent pure honey as part of your regular beauty routine,â€ said Watt. â€œWinter is especially harsh on skin, lips and hair, and honey is an easy and inexpensive way to get spa-like results at home. Whether your skin is dry and flaky or oily and acne-prone, pure honey can help you get beautiful, radiant skin.â€

Watt teamed up with the National Honey Board to create easy honey-based skin treatments you can make at home. He recommends using honey at least twice a week to soften and exfoliate the skin.

Oily Skin: Zesty Lemon Honey Gommage

4 tablespoons powdered Bentonite or Kaolin clay*
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons pure honey
1/4 teaspoon powdered lemon balm* (optional)
2 drops of lavender essential oil* (optional)

*Items are available in most health food stores or herb shops or by going online.

In glass or rubber bowl mix powdered clay and water until creamy. Mix in lemon balm and honey until completely blended. Slowly stir in lavender essential oil until all ingredients are combined in a thick creamy texture. It may be necessary to add more powder. Store in covered container away from direct sunlight or heat for up to one week.

To Use: Apply with clean fingertips to clean skin. Leave on for 10 minutes or until dry. Remove in short â€œrollingâ€ motion until completely removed from skin. Rinse well and apply appropriate moisturizer.

Benefits: Clean and polished skin that is soft and smooth.

Dry Skin: Green Tea and Honey Hydrating Mask

2 tablespoons aloe vera gel*
1 tablespoon pure honey
2 teaspoons brewed green tea – cooled
2 teaspoons brewed chamomile tea – cooled
2 drops lavender essential oil* (optional)

*Items are available in most health food stores or herb shops or by going online.

Mix all ingredients together and apply to clean skin.

To Use: Allow mask to remain on skin for at least 20 minutes. Place any remaining mask in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Benefits: Hydrates dry, dehydrated skin and soothes sensitive skin.

Wind-burned or Dehydrated Skin: Soothing Honey Balancing Balm

2 tablespoons cocoa butter
1 teaspoon pure honey
1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil* (optional)
1 drop bergamot essential oil* (optional)
1 drop tea tree essential oil* (optional)
1 drop lavender essential oil* (optional)

*Items are available in most health food stores or herb shops or by going online.

In small double boiler or microwave, melt cocoa butter until liquefied. Remove from heat and pour into small glass dish. Add honey, essential oils and jojoba oil. Stir well. Let mixture stand before use. Store in covered container in cool place away from sun or heat.

To Use: Apply to face and neck as final step in facial process. Remove from skin after 30 minutes using tepid or cool water.

Benefits: Protects skin from wind, cold and soothes dry irritated skin.

The National Honey Board provides a full collection of beauty tips and recipes including luscious body scrubs and sweet hair conditioners in the Pure Honey Beauty Brochure. To receive a free copy of the brochure send your mailing address to Pure Honey Beauty Brochure, PO Box 14635, Madison, WI 53708.

Courtesy: ARA Content