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skin care tips

Why Your Skin Has Different Summer And Winter Needs

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summer and winter needs

The summer and winter needs of your skin vary greatly. Each season is full of outdoor activities that can take a toll on our face, as well as the skin on the rest of our body.

This is mostly due to the amount of moisture in the air, as well as exposure to the sun and other elements.

Even if you find yourself spending most of the winter indoors, the heat inside of your home will tend to dry out your skin. When this happens, we become more prone to fine lines and wrinkles.

Let’s take a closer look at the summer and winter needs of your skin:

Protection From The Sun

The most important thing to remember, is to protect your skin from the ultra violet rays of the sun. These rays are extremely damaging and are the main contributor of skin cancer, fine lines and wrinkles.

In the summer months, more of our bodies are exposed to the sun. Therefore, we need to do more to protect our skin overall. The American Academy Of Dermatology recommends that you use a sunscreen that is a minimum of 30 SPF and reapply as directed on the product label.

Once it gets cooler outside and you cover up more, you can concentrate mostly on your face, neck and hands. You may not think that your hands see a lot of sun damage, but they are always exposed to the sun while driving and doing anything outdoors.

Cover your eyes with sunglasses and a large brimmed hat to protect from the sun in any season.

Skin Hydration

Once the weather gets cold, the air becomes dry. When this happens, our skin loses moisture and becomes dry as well.

When we have dry skin, it is a recipe for fine lines and wrinkles to start forming. The best way to combat this is to hydrate your skin. 

This can be accomplished topically, by using serums, eye creams, masks and moisturizers.

You may not see as much dryness and flaking in the summer months. Although, you should still make sure you keep your skin moisturized, especially after extended exposure to the sun.

Cleansing Of The Skin

In the summer, we spend an extended amount of time in the heat outdoors and our body naturally starts to sweat. When this happens, the pores on our skin get clogged with dirt and oils, often causing breakouts or blackheads. 

To combat this, it is recommended to use a scrub to remove the excess debris and create a healthier complexion. 

In the winter, opt for a more gentle scrub to help remove the dry skin but not remove too much of the natural oil on the surface.

Conclusion

To stay youthful and healthy, taking good care of your skin is a must, no matter what time of year it is.

The seasons will change but that doesn’t have to affect the way we look. If we stay on top of our skincare summer and winter needs, we will keep the fine lines at wrinkles at bay.

Always cleanse your face at the end of the day to remove dirt and oils. Apply a night cream as well for added hydration.

Another great tip for keeping your skin looking its best, is to drink plenty of water. It is recommended to drink half of your weight in ounces on a daily basis. This will help replenish dry skin, as well as flush out toxins that have accumulated in the body. 

For further reading, check out: Forehead Wrinkles, Causes & How To Stop Them and Laugh Lines Diminish With The Help Of These 3 Steps.

Image: Flickr

What Causes Crow’s Feet And How To Minimize Them

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crow's feet

Crow’s feet are the fine lines that appear around the eye as we get older. Each of us will one day have them and some of us will have more than others.

Crow’s feet are also one of the first ways your skin will show your age. Hormones and genetics definitely play a part in how we age. We also show expression in our face, by smiling and talking, which will eventually create wrinkles.

Thin Skin

The skin around our eye area is thinner and there isn’t as much natural oil produced in that area. The dryness combined with the thin skin, can easily create fine lines. Another major factor is that we lose collagen and elastin in our skin, as we get older.

Lack of Collagen

Collagen is a protein that naturally occurs in the body, which keeps the skin looking youthful and plump. When we age and the collagen decreases, the fullness under the skin will decrease as well.

In addition, the ability for the skin to “bounce back” is also reduced with age, due to the lack of elastin. Both of these factors contribute to fine lines, wrinkles and of course, the dreaded crow’s feet.

Sun Damage

Sun damage is another factor that can greatly contribute to crow’s feet. The ultra-violet rays of the sun destroy the collagen in your skin more rapidly than if you protected it with a sunscreen.

Free Radicals

We also need to protect our skin from the damage caused by free radicals, such as pollution in the air. This can be done by using topical antioxidant products as well as eating a diet that is rich in antioxidants. Some great choices are green leafy vegetables, blueberries, pure dark chocolate and almonds.

Now that we know a few ways to prevent crow’s feet from developing, let’s look at several ways to minimize the ones that already exist:

Hydrate Your Skin

One of the simplest ways to treat crow’s feet is to keep your skin hydrated.

You need to be mindful to regularly apply hydrating cleansers, serums and eye creams around this delicate area.

You should not only focus on topical hydration, but also drink plenty of water as well. This will help plump the skin and reduce dryness. Another bonus is that being well hydrated also decreases dark circles that form around the eye.

Use Vitamin C and A

This article recommends using topical Vitamin C serum around the eye to stimulate the production of collagen. This will help plump up the area, which in turn will fill in some of the fine lines. Your skin will also appear firmer around the eye.

You may also want to try using topical Vitamin A or Retinol cream. This will aid in smoothing out the skin and help diminish the fine lines and crow’s feet around the eye

Facial Exercise For Crow’s Feet

Another easy way to combat crow’s feet is to do facial exercises. These can be done in just minutes a day and are a great way to strengthen the facial muscles.

Try the exercise below to minimize your crow’s feet:

Use your index fingers to gently press up the outer corners of the eyes, lifting the muscle. Hold that position and then try to close your eye by using only your bottom lid. Repeat this motion twenty times daily.

Conclusion

Once you get into a routine of how to properly care for your skin, you should see an improvement in your crow’s feet and other wrinkles. Choosing the right products is your first line of defense. Contact a professional esthetician for the best advice for your skin type.

Stay focused on keeping your body hydrated and eat a healthy diet, rich in antioxidants. Be sure to wear sunglasses when you are outdoors to eliminate further sun damage.

For further reading, check out: How To Know If Your Facial Exercises Are Working and The Myths Behind Facial Exercising.

How To Achieve A Healthy Glow Without Getting Pregnant

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healthy glow

A healthy glow can be portrayed by using certain cosmetics, such as dewy foundation and highlighting powders and creams. But covering up dull looking skin won’t make it actually healthier. Put in a little time and effort and you won’t even find yourself reaching for the highlighting brush.

Anyone can achieve radiant skin by following a few simple steps. It isn’t as hard as you may think.

A healthy glow, doesn’t have to be for only the younger crowd. People of any age can look more youthful by taking care of their skin from the inside out.

Let’s take a look at how to easily achieve a healthy glow to your complexion:

Start From Within

Most of us have heard the old saying, “You are what you eat.” Taking that into consideration, if you are eating unhealthy foods, your skin will be sallow and dull.

Avoid processed foods and focus your diet on healthy greens and whole foods. You will see that your skin will look brighter and more vibrant after a short time.

Hydration Is Key

Drinking a sufficient amount of water is very important to achieve glowing skin. The water helps to flush out toxins that have accumulated in the body. It also plumps up the skin cells and gives your complexion a more youthful and healthy appearance.

Facial Massage

This article suggests massaging your face several times a week. Doing so, will increase the blood flow to the skin, which will plump it up, and make it appear more radiant and healthy. The increased blood flow also increases the production of collagen, which will help the skin look younger.

Exfoliate

In order to reveal bright, new skin, you have to slough off the old, dead skin cells on the top layer. This can be done in several ways.

When you cleanse your face, use a scrub once a week. You can amp up the benefits of the facial scrub by using a rotating brush. All of your dry, dead skin will be swept away. Your skin will appear fresher and overall brighter.

Tone

Once your face is cleansed, you should always apply a toner to balance the pH of the skin. This will help in closing the pores of the face as well, making your face look younger.

Serums And Moisturizers

Serums are an excellent source of nutrients that is absorbed by your skin. For instance, if you have dark spots from the sun, serums that contain vitamin C will help eliminate them. This will give your skin a more even color.

You also need to follow up your daily cleansing routine with a moisturizer dedicated to your skin type.

Sun Protection

One of the worst things you can do to your skin is damage it with the sun. The UV rays of the sun will destroy the collagen and elastin in the skin, making it appear wrinkled and aged.

Many people think they have a healthy glow from a sun tan, but it is actually the most unhealthy thing you can do to your skin.

Apply a sunscreen of at least 50 SPF to your face and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them.

Conclusion

Once you put all of the above steps into place on a regular basis, you will start to see your healthy glow shining through. Your fine lines and wrinkles will be less visible and your pores will be smaller. You will also find that your overall skin texture is firmer and more radiant.

If you are looking to also tighten the skin on the face, you can also incorporate facial exercise into your regime. Before you know it, you will have shaved years off of your appearance and you will feel more confident.

For further reading, check out: If You Apply Your Make Up Wrong, You Can Add Years To Your Face – Over 50 and 5 Golden Rules To Take Care Of Your Hands To Reduce Aging.

How To Create The Perfect Skin Care Routine For You

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skin care routine

Creating the perfect skin care routine will encompass all of the elements that will help you look younger. Your skin will be healthier and have fewer breakouts and wrinkles.

The first thing you should do is determine the type of skin you have. Is your skin oily, dry or a combination?

The next thing to consider is if you are prone to allergic reactions and which products or ingredients aggravate the allergy. Read the ingredients on the back of the bottle, so you can avoid any adverse reactions.

Additionally, you should pinpoint your “problem areas”. Do you have crows feet, sagging around the jowl area or forehead lines? There are products on the market you can use to treat those issues.

With the above points in mind, let’s take a look at how you can create the perfect skin care routine for yourself:

Cleanser

Once you have determined your skin type, you should choose a cleanser that is designed for your kind of skin.

For instance, if you have oily skin that is acne prone, you would want a cleanser that is specifically created to treat that condition. The same goes for dry skin. You will need to use a cleanser and other products that hydrate the skin. If you use the wrong products on your skin, such as a cleanser, you could worsen the problems you are having.

Cleanse your face at night before you go to bed. This will remove all of the dirt that has accumulated on your face throughout the day. It is also a good idea to wash your face in the morning as well.

Exfoliator

It is beneficial to use an exfoliator once a week. This process will lift any dead skin cells that are clogging pores. It also allows fresh skin to appear after the dull cells are removed.

There are many facial scrubs on the market that are created for all skin types.

Toner

Always use a toner after cleansing the face. Doing so, will balance the pH of the skin and eliminate inflammation and breakouts.

This article reveals that there are toners specifically created for particular skin characteristics. For example, hyaluronic acid to plump skin and reduce fine lines. Rose water and green tea toners will help decrease redness.

Serums

Serums are very concentrated formulas that are chock full of nutrients for the skin.

If you are looking for something to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin, then try a serum made with retinol.

You may be looking to reduce dark spots from sun damage. If that is the case, choose a serum that is Vitamin C based.

Moisturizer

Always finish up your facial routine with a moisturizer. You should always use a moisturizer that contains a sunscreen. The sun rays will further damage the skin. SPF 30-50 are the best choices.

Conclusion

Once you have determined all of the issues and concerns with your skin and have acquired all of the products to treat it, you will be on your way to a more youthful look. This article states that it usually takes about six weeks of consistent, regular use of a product to see the effectiveness that it provides.

The biggest challenge that we have, is sticking to the routine. Using all of the products as directed on a regular basis, will help give you the results you are looking for.

In addition to a skin care routine, you also need to stay hydrated, by drinking plenty of water. Also, try to get a full eight hours of sleep at night.

Maintain a healthy diet with minimal sugar and fats. Eat a lot of vegetables, so that your entire body, including the skin, will benefit from their nutrients.

Incorporating facial exercise into your daily skin care routine will help tighten and tone loose skin on the face and neck. It will also help decrease and prevent fine lines and wrinkles on the facial area.

For further reading, check out: Doing These Facial Exercises Will Give Maximum Change and 6 Things You Can Do To Help You Look Younger.

Image: Flickr

4 Step Easy Skincare Routine For Busy People

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skincare routine

It seems like everyone is in a hurry these days. Between work, caring for children and trying to have somewhat of a social life, many of us find it hard to squeeze in time for ourselves.

Treating your skin doesn’t have to take a long amount of time. As long as you use the right products, techniques, and are consistent, you should be able to see the benefits of your efforts in no time.

Let’s take a look at the basic simple steps in creating an efficient skincare routine:

1. Cleansing

The first thing of proper skincare is using an appropriate cleanser for your face according to your skin type. For example, if you have dry skin, never use a cleanser for oily skin. Doing so will strip the little oils that are there and increase the dryness.

The same thing goes for oily skin, Never use dry skin cleansers on oily skin. It will only make the skin feel more greasy and will most likely cause breakouts.

Clean the skin in the morning and before bed to wash away any dirt and debris that has accumulated. A battery operated cleansing brush paired with your favorite cleanser works well to exfoliate dead skin cells and leave a radiant glow.

2. Toning

An important step, that is often skipped, is using a toner. Toners are an excellent means for balancing the skin’s pH after cleansing. When the pH is balanced, the skin is happy and there is less chance for inflammation.

Toning also hydrates the skin, which is very important after cleansing. Each toner has different ingredients and benefits. Do your research on which one is right for your specific needs.

3. Moisturize and Protect

If you want to eliminate a step in your daily skin care routine, choose a moisturizer for you skin type that also has a sunscreen added for daytime use. Protecting your skin from the damaging rays of the sun, will prevent loss of collagen and elasticity, which reduces the formation of wrinkles.

Your night time ritual should also include a moisturizer after your face is cleansed and toned. Night creams are generally heavier and tend to hydrate more than day creams. They also often contain acids or Retinol to help smooth skin and dissolve fine lines.

4. Eye Cream

Incorporating an eye cream into your regimen is a quick way to reduce and prevent crows feet. You will find a number of different eye creams and serums on the market that serve different purposes.

There are creams that help eliminate dark circles and puffiness that are good for the morning. Others are geared more for night time use and are used for hydrating the fragile skin around the eye.

Conclusion

Now that you have developed a step by step plan of action, all you need to do is put it in motion. Create a habit by caring for your skin at the same time every day. Keep all of your products in a convenient location so you can access them easily.

Always be mindful to remove any makeup before you go to bed and moisturize in the morning and night and wear a good sunscreen when going outdoors.

Once you develop the habit, you won’t even think about working skincare into your schedule, it will just be a part of your daily life.

For further reading on how to care for your skin and look younger, check out: 3 Ways To Get Rid Of Undereye Wrinkles At Home and The Right And Wrong Way To Apply Foundation To Your Face.

 

Image: Flickr

The Easiest Home Recipes For Tightening Sagging Skin

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home skin recipes
You know the feeling… When you look at yourself in the mirror one day and suddenly you notice that your skin has started sagging. It may not appear as tight and firm as you thought it was. This moment can be a real shock and it happens to everyone, sooner or later.
Your first line of defense is to replenish the skin to tighten it up again, Many of the products on the market that do this are extremely overpriced and can really put a dent in your budget.
Don’t let this discourage you. You can easily obtain the same results as the expensive products by using easy home recipes for your skin. The ingredients are most likely in your pantry right now.
Let’s take a look at some simple recipes for tightening sagging skin at home:

Egg White Face Mask

This mask works well, because the egg whites tighten the skin, as well as the yogurt. The sugar helps exfoliate dead skin cells. Apply this mask once a week for best results.
For this recipe, you will need:
1 egg
1-2 TB plain yogurt
1/8 tsp granulated sugar
Separate the egg yolk and the egg white. Combine the yogurt with the yogurt and sugar with a whisk or fork until well mixed.
Apply to the face in smooth upward strokes with a fan brush and let dry. For extra lift, lay with your head off the edge of the bed while it is drying.
Once the mask is completely dry and your face feels tight, gently remove it with warm water and a soft washcloth. It’s like getting a mini, non-surgical facelift!

Yogurt And Oatmeal Face Mask

Yogurt contains an array of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the skin. These nutrients, such as: lactic acid, calcium, zinc, alpha hydroxy acids and vitamins B2, B5 and B12 can be absorbed into the skin. If your skin is healthy, it will feel firmer and appear more vibrant.
Oatmeal is excellent for all skin types, ranging from sensitive, dry and oily. It is a great soothing agent and also works well as an exfoliator and for closing large pores.
Honey is a wonderful antioxidant and will also give the skin a youthful glow. It is also beneficial for treating acne, due to its antimicrobial properties.
For this recipe you will need:
1 TB plain yogurt
1 TB oatmeal
1 TB honey
Combine yogurt and oatmeal in a bowl and let sit for several minutes to soften the oatmeal. Once the oatmeal has absorbed some of the yogurt, stir in the honey until well mixed.
Apply the mask evenly across the face and neck with your fingers and allow to dry for about fifteen minutes. Gently remove the mask with warm water and a soft washcloth.

Avocado Face Mask

If you have dry skin, this is the mask for you! The natural oils in the avocado will soften, moisturize and plump your skin, creating a more youthful appearance. The olive oil will also help your skin feel deeply hydrated and smooth.
For this recipe you will need:
½ avocado
1 TB plain yogurt
½ TB olive oil
½ TB honey
Smash the avocado in a bowl until smooth, stir in yogurt, olive oil and honey until well mixed. Apply evenly to the face with your fingers and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Gently remove with warm water and a soft washcloth.
Conclusion
Now that you have some easy recipes at your fingertips, you can start using them to firm up your skin and slow down the signs of aging. The money you save from not investing in store bought products can be put to better use.
Don’t forget that incorporating facial exercise into your daily routine is another method of combating signs of aging. You can read more about it here: 10 Minute Facial Exercise That Will Help You Look Younger and How To Get That Non Surgical Face Lift Without Using Product.
Image: Flickr