As a child, I can clearly remember my mother yelling up the stairs (at the same time every night) “Don’t forget to wash your face and brush your teeth before going to bed!” Face washing and teeth brushing were two very important parts of my nightly routine. I guess I should thank my mother the next time I see her; after all, she did instill the importance of good skin care into my life at an early age. Skin care products have come a long way since I was a child. No longer do I wash my face with a generic bar of soap (thank goodness!). There’s a lot to consider in your search for a skin cleanser and there are a lot of skin cleansers to sort through, meaning you may have to try several different cleansers before finding the one that is perfect for your skin. However, don’t give up as cleansing your face on a daily basis is a must!

If you haven’t already, you should implement a skin care routine into your daily schedule. It is important that you wash your face every morning and of course, before you go to sleep at night. Think about it, when you wash your face with a facial skin cleanser you are getting rid of all the waste products that have been released through your skin. You are actually detoxifying your skin, which is essential if you want healthy, glowing skin that has a normal cell turnover rate. Washing your skin also prepares it for whatever products you may be applying that day. It would make no sense to apply make-up or sunscreen to an unwashed face…now would it? Putting more products on top of old simply traps dirt and dead skin cells which in turn could cause clogged pores and breakouts!

There are many, many types of facial skin cleansers on the market. It really doesn’t matter what facial cleanser you use (gel, soap, foam, lotion) as long as it is specifically made for your face! I repeat, only use a skin cleanser that is made specifically for the skin on your face! Why am I trying to hit this point home? Well, for one thing, soaps and cleansers that are designed for the body are much different than those designed for your face.  If you wash your face with a cleanser that is made for the body, you will mostly likely end up with dry, tight skin…which is exactly what you want to avoid! Body soaps are often stronger than skin facial cleansers and can actually over-wash the skin on your face. It is important to note that different skin types need different products; therefore, it is important to figure out what type of skin you have BEFORE spending your money. Whether you need a cleanser for sensitive skin or a cleanser for oily skin make this determination before heading to the drugstore or cosmetic counter.

There are several skin types including normal, oily, sensitive, oily dry combination, and acne prone. As mentioned before, it is very important that you determine what type of skin you have so that you can purchase the correct skin facial cleanser. After all, you don’t want to waste your money…do you!? Once you know what type of skin you have you are ready to buy a skin cleanser and begin your daily skin care regime. It is important to note that if you are planning on going all out and wish to buy not only a facial cleanser but a toner and moisturizer as well, you should stick to products that are within one skin care line. For example, if you buy your cleanser from AVON, then you should buy all of your products from AVON. Companies design their skin care products to work together. If you mix and match you may not get the results you are looking for.

The majority of the skin cleansers for the face that are on the market today work very well. As long as you buy a cleanser that is specifically made for your skin type, you should achieve the desired results. It is not necessary to run out to your favorite department store and buy the most expensive facial cleanser on the market. Many of the skin care products that are sold in drugstores and online are just as effective (just a lot less expensive!). The only way to find the best skin care products (that work well on YOUR skin type) is through trial and error. If possible, ask for samples or buy the smallest possible bottle so that you don’t waste your money should you not like the product.

So what skin cleansers are best? I’m glad you asked as I have done a little research! Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser for ALL skin types is wonderful! One of the most popular products in the Clarins skin care product line, this gentle foaming cleanser works well on all types of skin except very dry skin. It is water-soluble, well formulated and does not contain a strong fragrance.  Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser will set you back approximately $25 for a little over four ounces.

The next skin facial cleanser you might want to try is Clinique’s CX Soothing Cleanser. A bit pricey at $32 for a little over four ounces, CX Soothing Cleanser contains ingredients that are gentle on the skin and, as the title suggests, soothing! This skin cleanser works well on all skin types as it does not contain any harsh irritants or detergent cleansing agents. If you have the money to spend, Clinique’s CX Soothing Cleanser is definitely worth a try!

Last but not least, Pond’s Cool Cucumber Deep Cleanser and Make-Up Remover. Not nearly as expensive as Clinique, this facial cleanser will only set you back approximately $9 for over ten ounces! Now that’s a deal! This popular skin cleanser is suitable for all skin types but especially works well on dry to very dry skin. It also does its job when it comes to removing make-up! If you are looking for a decent facial cleanser give Pond’s Cool Cucumber a try. After all, if you don’t like it, you are only out nine dollars!

So, what have we learned? Well, for one thing, no matter what type of skin cleanser you choose it is very important that you wash your face two times per day (morning and night). It is also very important that you determine what type of skin you have so that you don’t waste your money on the wrong skin care products. Finally, it is never too late to begin taking care of your skin by implementing a daily skin care program! Good luck and may you find the perfect facial skin cleanser that best fits the needs of your skin!

Your skin is amazing! Take a minute to think about it. Your skin is a large, complex organ that is constantly changing as you age. In order to obtain beautiful skin (no matter how old you are) you will need to get to know the skin you are in! For example, did you know that each square inch of skin on a normal size body contains 65 hairs, 650 sweat glands and 9,500,000 skin cells! Wow! Just because the skin is a complex organ does not mean that it can’t be beautiful! Yes, there is work involved if you want beautiful skin. However, nothing beats the look of fresh, plump, clear beautiful skin…so any work involved is well worth it!

For those of you wondering how to get beautiful skin, you need to understand a little bit about what skin is. Because the skin is such a vast and complex organ, it should come as no surprise that there are over 900 diseases and conditions that can affect it. For this reason alone it is very important that you know and understand your skin type so that you can implement a DAILY skin care routine that best fits your skin’s needs.

As previously mentioned your skin is complex and made up of many parts.  In order to get beautiful skin, it is important that you understand your skin and what it needs in order to be healthy. The epidermis, for example, is the top layer of skin (that you actually see). Within the top layer there are six layers underneath. Each under lying layer has a specific function. The Dermis is beneath the epidermis and its main job is to maintain the structure of the skin. Within the dermis you will find sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles and lymphatic vessels. The dermis is much thicker than the epidermis and is made up of collagen and elastin fibers (for more on the importance of collagen and elastin, read our post on Retinol Wrinkle Cream). Finally, beneath it all lays the subcutaneous layer. This layer is very important as it serves as a shock absorber and heat insulator (which helps to keep you warm and toasty during the cold winter months!). Understanding how your skin functions is very important. The more you know the easier it will be to get the results you want!

As you age, your skin will change. The good news is that beautiful skin is attainable at any age as long as you know how some of the secrets to beautiful skin so you can care for it properly. Obviously, individuals who implemented a skin care routine as a teen (and actually stuck with it) will have a head start. DNA also plays a major role when it comes to the look and type of skin that you have. Some people are born with fantastic skin genes (you know, the people that never have break-outs and always look fresh and vibrant!). The good news is that even if you weren’t born with perfect skin DNA, you can always take advantage of the many skin care products and procedures that are available today (and trust me, there are MANY!). Anyone can have beautiful skin; some just have to work a little harder than others.

No matter what your age may be one of the most important skin care rules to follow is AWLAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN! Did you know that just ONE serious sunburn as a child can cause skin cancer twenty or even thirty years later? That is an amazing piece of information and certainly worth noting! No wonder mothers lather their babies and toddlers with sunscreen! Speaking of toddlers, their skin is superbly resilient and quick to heal. One washing a day is usually all it takes to keep a toddler’s skin clean and fresh. It is very important to teach good skin care habits early in life. You should place just as much importance on skin care as you do on proper diet and bathing! Children are like sponges. They soak in everything that you say. If you can put your child on the path to good skin care habits early they will thank you later in life when they have fresh, young looking skin well into adulthood!

Ahh, the teenage years, such fun! The baby soft skin that was once perfect and blemish free will begin to face several challenges. For one thing, hormonal changes that signal the beginning of adulthood can wreak havoc on a teen’s skin. This is the best time to talk to your teen about skin care and encourage a daily skin care routine. Most teenagers will welcome the advice as the pressure they often feel to have beautiful skin can be great (most teenagers I know do everything in their power to avoid getting pimples!). Now is the time to invest in quality skin care products. If you are not certain as to what type of skin your teenager has or what products (if any) they should use, it might be a good idea to make an appointment with a dermatologist in order to get some advice. A dermatologist can give beautiful skin care tips and recommend the skin care products that best fit the needs of your teen’s skin. It is also important to discuss diet with your teenager as many foods can cause oily skin and break-outs!

Speaking of diet, unfortunately, as we age, we tend to gain weight. It is very important to eat a proper diet due to the fact that weight loss and gain can contribute to our skin care woes (think stretching and sagging!). Just remember, what you put into your body is just as important as what you put on it. There is NOTHING in a bottle that you can buy that takes the place of good nutrition and hygiene!

It is a fact that your skin changes with each decade of life. No matter what age you may be it is very important to KNOW the type of skin you have in order to care for it properly. Make it a habit to clean and moisturize DAILY and exfoliate regularly (every few weeks should be fine). Whether you are ten, twenty, thirty or even eighty, sunscreen is a MUST! the type of skin you have in order to care for it properly. Make it a habit to cleanse and moisturize The older you get the more skin care challenges you will face. Obtaining plump, moist and wrinkle free skin will become more and more difficult. The good news is that you CAN have beautiful skin well into your later years as long as you take action NOW! So figure out what skin type you are (normal, oily, sensitive, oil-dry, or oily-acne prone), arm yourself with the appropriate skin care products and implement a permanent skin care routine. Before you know it, you will be on your way to healthy, beautiful skin!

Thanks for reading!

-K

There’s often a divisive gap between the medical community and the cosmetics industry on the value of herbal skin care products. The confusion this results in for the rest of us can be frustrating but the application of a little logic might help clear the air. Because, if you think about it, most medicinal and cosmetics products were herbal at one point in human history.

Native American Indians depended on plants and it would be wholly irresponsible to discount their practices as primitive simply because they are old. Advances in technology may have opened the world to new opportunities but that advancement doesn’t invalidate things that have worked in the past. For example, the use of Yellow-Spined Thistle in the treatment of burns and skin sores is no less valid today than it was 200 years ago. There are simply other options available.

One plant you’ve likely heard of that has received ready acceptance the world over is Aloe Vera. Thanks to humans, this plant has migrated to warm climates the world over and is used in everything from the treatment of burns to medicines. And, of course, you’ll find plenty of it in cosmetics. Again, the medical community hasn’t jumped on the bandwagon and begun lauding its value, but the cosmetics companies sure have.

Doctors Aren’t Always Right, Cosmetic Companies Aren’t Always Honest

The thriving malpractice industry should make that point clear but your common sense should tell you that, while certainly the smarter choice to bet on, even doctors get it wrong now and again. In my own lifetime, medical doctrine has changed on everything from the value of fat in our diets to numerous instances in which once wildly prescribed medicines have been yanked from the shelves as dangerous. So does that mean we should believe the cosmetics companies instead of the doctors? Not really. It just means that we should expect more out of both.

To claim clear and beneficial value in herbal skin care ingredients absent clinical study is no less irresponsible on the part of cosmetics companies than medical professionals claiming they don’t provide benefit without testing and proving their premise. In other words, the cosmetics industry is often guilty of hawking wares with no real proof of benefit and the medical community is often guilty of poo-pooing herbal ingredients without any real clinical study to support their skepticism. So what’s a gal or guy to do? Apply a little common sense and do your homework.

Absent clinical study by either party, we’re left to depend mostly on anecdotal evidence. The internet, for all its many flaws, has opened up doors our parents didn’t enjoy. An afternoon reading product reviews by those without any skin in the game (pardon the pun) can get you a long way towards deciding if an herbal skin care product can really deliver on its claims.

The simple truth is that virtually everything those same medical professionals so gleefully prescribe (in excesses, some might argue) have their roots in some herbal, botanical or natural substance. Seems odd, then, doesn’t it, that they’d have such a beef with the cosmetics industry for embracing “natural” as a good thing? On the surface, maybe. As already stated, it’s the absence of real medical studies in support of the claims the cosmetics companies make that inclines doctors to disbelieve the hype, but there’s more to it than that.

Doctors Just Hate Herbal Skin Care Products

Not really. Where the medical community does have a point is that herbal or botanical inclusion in skin care products is often little more than opportunistic marketing. What I mean by that is that we often make the mistake of assuming that “natural” is better. So when we see things like aloe or coco butter included in our skin care products, we make the assumption that the product is chalk full of healthy, natural ingredients and that it is, therefore, better for us. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the presence of those natural ingredients in organic herbal skin care products may be blinding you to the other ingredients on the list which may include plenty of chemicals.

The simple truth is that the marketing of natural herbal skin care products as somehow “better” is a sham. While there may be herbal skin care products with real benefits, a touch of lavender, saffron or jasmine or anything else prominently displayed on the product packaging is little more than bait. Sure, your herbal lotion or cream may smell a bit better for their inclusion, but you probably aren’t getting much in the way of any health benefits from rubbing it on your face.

Even assuming an herbal ingredient does have real beneficial value, that doesn’t mean every product you find it in has properly processed it or included enough of it in their product for it to result in any measurable results. This is even true of more mainstream chemical or vitamin-based products. Having it mentioned on the bottle really means next to nothing.

One example I’m fond of is the inclusion of “a complex of caffeine from coffee bean” in Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream. The product claims to brighten and depuff tired eyes. I won’t say whether the product works or not (for $29.50, I’d hope it does) but what I will say is that the mention of caffeine from coffee beans is nothing more than a clever play on perception. You know coffee wakes you up. You know it’s the caffeine in beans from which the coffee was made which is responsible for waking you up. That in mind, your natural inclination is to accept that having caffeine from coffee beans in a product really can wake up your puffy, tired eyes. Poppy-cock, I say.

Caffeine is a crystalline alkaloid and a diuretic. More importantly, it is a central nervous system stimulant. You get those “stimulating” benefits from it by processing it through your digestive tract and transferring it via your bloodstream to receptors in your brain. The very notion that rubbing minute quantities of caffeine on your puffy eyes will somehow “wake them up” is asinine. But we buy into it because human nature inclines us to seek commonality. If caffeine wakes me up then, sure, why wouldn’t it wake my eyes up too? Never mind that humans develop tolerance to caffeine. Ignore that there’s FAR more of the stuff in a single cup of coffee than you’ll ever find in a jar of eye cream.

In the case of Origins skin cream, it is likely other ingredients in far greater quantities which are responsible for the results you may or may not receive. Again, the product may work just fine (I’m not claiming it doesn’t). And for all I know, the drying nature of a diuretic may sap moisture from those puffy eyes and cause them to depuff (I doubt it). Even if that were the case though, is that what you want to do to the sensitive skin around your eyes? I’m just pointing out that it’s very easy to get suckered in by nonsense claims about herbal or botanical ingredients in skin care products that really offer little more than false assurances.

Dave Hates Herbal Skin Care Products

No, I don’t. I know that, having read what I’ve written above, you may be inclined to believe I’m not a fan, but it’s simply not true. Though I’ve evolved into a much more technical lifestyle, my younger years were spent avidly studying herbs and botanicals. I was fascinated by everything from the way Dumbcane could render a person temporarily mute (and in a lot of pain) to how the boiled bark of dogwood was a great treatment for constipation. In fact, I’ve been writing here about foods that are good for your skin and the benefits of antioxidants.  I really do recognize the value of plants of all kinds for their medicinal and (yes) cosmetic potential. But I also know enough about marketing to realize that, all too often, cosmetic companies are preying on an assumption that a picture of a familiar, pretty plant (preferably one that smells great) is a fantastic way to get into a consumer’s wallet. It’s the same reason so many cosmetic products look like creamy, delicious food. It’s psychological marketing rather than honest help.

If you have your heart set on finding herbal skin care products than can really work and can deliver on their promises without too much in the way of a chemical boost, you’ve got your work cut out for you. Spend plenty of time researching online and pay particular attention to reviews and feedback by real consumers just like you who have tried and love a product before you settle. No cosmetics company is going to come right out on the bottle and tell you “we just put these flowers and herbs in here because we know you’re gullible and they smell good.” Finding a product that is both herbal and functional will be entirely up to you.

While you’re at it and conducting your search, you may find a few sites out their run by people who concoct their own herbal skin care recipes. They often offer recipes or sell their cosmetics online. While I’m a big advocate of small business and always cheer for the little guy, you should be careful here. That’s particularly the case if you suffer from sensitive skin or skin allergies.

If you’re curious about herbs and their many uses, you should stop by www.naturalherbsguide.com. You might be fascinated by what you can learn there about all kinds of natural herbal remedies and supplements.

Check back soon for another beautiful skin post. I have to run to the grocery store to pick up a new bottle of shampoo with yogurt in it. Mmmm… yummy yogurt. I’m sure it’ll make my hair beautiful.

-D

Will a retinol wrinkle cream really deliver? Will it get rid of wrinkles once and for all? Is it really a miracle cure, a fountain of youth, the end of wrinkles around the eyes and mouth? In our opinion, Retinol is a promising ingredient, but I think a more honest title for this post should have included “… and other promises we might or might not keep.”

Today’s post will be a fairly long one because we have a lot to discuss. Not only will we get to the bottom of the value of retinol wrinkle creams, which we first mentioned in our post on the best wrinkle creams, but we’ll make certain that (by the time you’re done reading) you understand why retinol has promise but may or may not be the right product for you.

What is Retinol?

Of course, none of this will make much sense if you don’t know what Retinol is or what it does, right? The scientific jargon is staggering and I know what our readers really care about is the cosmetic properties so I promise I’ll try to keep the science to a minimum. Having said that, there will be some science because you can’t really discuss a retinol cream or any anti aging skin cream containing retinol without a bit of science. Fair warning.

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A which is widely used in the medical and cosmetic industries for any number of things. Relevant to this article is its use in the treatment of everything from acne to aging skin, but Vitamin A in many forms is also important in vision and bone health. Retinol, specifically, is often the active ingredient found in gels and creams intended for topical application with the promise reduce wrinkles. Depending on dosage, products including retinol (or other retinoids) may be over-the-counter or prescription. Another form of retinoic acid is Tretinoin which is used by doctors and dermatologists in the treatment of acne and is available in some prescription anti aging creams. Remember it, because we’ll come back to it.

How does Retinol work?

Well actually, it doesn’t. WAIT! Don’t hit your back button! I’m not saying a retinol wrinkle cream won’t fight wrinkles. We just need to clarify the claim a bit. This is where some of that annoying science creeps in. See, vitamin A has a minimal biological effect. It is its biochemical derivatives in the form of retinoic acid that actually do the work. It’s a bit like saying that oil isn’t what gets you to work in the morning, it’s the car that does the work. But for the car to work, you have to have the oil, right? Make sense? Retinol (and other forms of Vitamin A) is converted to retinoic acid by skin cells.

Now retinoic acid very much DOES work at promoting healthy cells and the cosmetic industry would very much like you to run out and buy products containing Retinol because it has also shown promise in the rejuvenation of elastin and collagen. Avoiding the science as much as possible, suffice to say that elastin is what gives your skin its elasticity and collagen serves a “stiffer” purpose. The two working in concert are what gives those annoying young people such beautifully smooth skin while the deterioration of collagen and elastin results in wrinkles in those of us who are on the wrong side of over-the-hill.

So why is that information about retinoic acid important? Because in order to get to retinoic acid, (the real wrinkle fighter) retinol has to be metabolized or converted. In the cosmetics world, you’ll find you aren’t just limited to Retinol. Other highly prized wrinkle-fighting ingredients include Retinyl palmitate and Retinaldehyde. Collectively known as Retinoids, all of them follow the same rule - they (in and of themselves) don’t do the real anti-wrinkle magic but must first be converted to retinoic acid by your cells.

Why is all that Retinol information important?

It’s important for you to know that different forms of vitamin A (and retinoids) require varying amounts of work to become retinoic acid (our ultimate goal). SmartSkinCare.com does a great job of illustrating this. Depending on which active ingredient you start with, it requires more or less effort for your cells to give you the results you want. Their metabolic pathway chart looks something like this:

Retinyl Palmitate -> Retinol -> Retinaldehyde -> Retinoic acid

From the example above you can see that if you’re starting with Retinyl Palmitate, you have to undergo three steps to convert your active ingredient into what you really want (retinoic acid) to get the job done. If you’re using a retinol wrinkle cream, the active ingredient must go through 2 steps to metabolize to retinoic acid. What that means to you as a consumer is that larger dosages of the active ingredient are required the further left you start on that pathway. For a given quantity of Retinol, you’d need even more Retinyl Palmitate to get the job done.

You may now be wondering if you can’t get better results by skipping further to the right on the list and just buying an anti-wrinkle cream with Retinaldehyde or, better yet, cutting out the middle man entirely and just slapping some retinoic acid-containing cream directly on your skin. Well, yes you can. Retinaldehyde, however, will up the price of your product substantially. As for skipping right to retinoic acid, I asked you to remember the term Tretinoin back on the first page. If you read that sentence carefully you’ll note that I stated “…another form of retinoic acid…” We hadn’t begun discussing retinoic acid yet, but it should make a bit more sense to you now. Tretinoin is that direct approach and, yes, you can buy tretinoin cream and avoid all that pesky metabolizing (to a degree) entirely. What’s the downside? You’ll need a prescription to get a skin care product with Tretinoin in it and it is even more likely to irritate sensitive skin than the previous versions of Vitamin A we’ve been discussing.

What’s important to you as a consumer is to know that the simple presence of Retinyl Palmitate or Retinol in an ingredient list isn’t enough to tell you that the product will work at delivering on its wrinkle fighting promise. While higher concentrations of these active ingredients may do a better job, they come with a downside. Specifically, those with sensitive skin may not be able to tolerate high dosages of topically applied RP or Retinol creams as they can cause skin irritation.

Expanding on Retinol

I provided an example chart from SmartSkinCare that indicates where retinol stands relative to other retinoids as far as work required to metabolize is concerned, but I want to expand on what they explain a bit. Not only does their chart accurately reflect the metabolic pathway of various retinoids towards retinoic acid, it also can be directly applied to effectiveness, potential skin irritation and expense with no real modification. In other words:

Assuming comparable dosage -Retinyl Palmitate is less effective than Retinol. Retinol is less effective than retinaldehyde. Retinaldehyde is less effective than retinoic acid.

Assuming comparable dosage -Retinyl Palmitate is less irritating than Retinol. Retinol is less effective than retinaldehyde. Retinaldehyde is less effective than retinoic acid.

Assuming comparable dosage -Products containing Retinyl Palmitate should be less expenseive than retinol. Retinol is less expensive than retinaldehyde. Retinaldehyde is less expensive than retinoic acid.

Ok, great, but does retinol work?

That does seem to be the case. The truth of the matter is that claims regarding retinol’s ability to reverse skin damage and eliminate wrinkles should be taken with a grain of salt. Retinol is not a prescription level ingredient. That means that cosmetics that include retinol do not undergo the same kind of scrutiny or medical review as a prescription product (a drug) that contains retinoic acid (such as tretinoin).

Also, as mentioned, dosage is relevant. Just because a product contains retinol does not mean it contains it in sufficient dosage to be effective. Compounding that is the fact that different people metabolize retinoids at different rates. An adequate amount of retinol in a product for me may not be sufficient (in terms of wrinkle reducing results) for you. Your ideal anti aging cream may need to be something very different.

Over-the-counter wrinkle creams that promise you results should be carefully researched. Read consumer reviews and be prepared to experiment. It may take several attempts (each potentially requiring several months of use) to find the product best suited for you. Having said all of that, even some doctors are beginning to admit that there do appear to be legitimate benefits associated with retinol and other non-prescription creams available. But it should be noted that even those who are coming around (much to the cosmetic industry’s delight) will generally add on the sentence - “but there hasn’t been adequate clinical review to substantiate that.” In other words, much of the “evidence” for the effectiveness of non-prescription retinol wrinkle creams is anecdotal and hasn’t been clinically substantiated.

If you have the time and patience to invest in testing one retinol wrinkle cream after another to find the one that offers you the best combination of results relative to expense and skin sensitivity then there may well be a product out there that can take a few years off your face. If you want to improve your odds, your doctor is likely your best source for a more powerful tretinoin cream with medically proven results.

Thanks for reading!

-D

Not happy with your oily skin and desperately looking for oily skin care products? Relax! Oily skin actually has some great advantages! People with oily skin tend to develop fewer wrinkles as they age, which, by the way, is a good thing! They also have skin that has a plumper, fresher look. Hey, that’s another good thing! Though people with oily skin often develop shiny patches on their faces only a few hours after washing, there are several wonderful oily skin products on the market that can help to keep the oil in control and your skin looking fresh and beautiful!

Three Great Oily Skin Care Products

Choosing skin care products can be quite confusing. After all, the skin care market is HUGE! With all of the choices available it is often difficult to figure out which skin care product is best for you. From organic skin care products to products such as Oil of Olay and L’Oreal Paris (both of which have been available for years), more often than not you will have to try and try again before finding the skin care solution that is best for your skin type (and actually works!). When it comes to oily skin, there are several skin care products that you may want to try. Again, finding the perfect skin care product may be hit or miss at first…but stick with it…eventually, you will find the perfect product for you!

First up, Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser! Cetaphil, which is part of the Galderma Laboratory family, has been around for quite some time. Galderma Laboratory, which was founded in 1981, is a Swiss pharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development and of course, the marketing of skin care products including those with oily skin care in mind. They are a leading player in the world of skin care and are always moving forward when it comes to the research and development of new products. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Gentle Skin Cleansing Bars are wonderful for people that have oily skin, problems with acne and even skin issues such as eczema and skin allergies. Cetaphil is one of the BEST drugstore finds if you are looking for an oily skin treatment and need a solution! For even better prices, skip the drugstore and do an online search!

Next up, Lancome Clarifiance Oil-Free Gel Cleanser! Though this skin care product for oily skin will cost you a little bit more than Cetaphil, it is well worth the investment! After all, having beautiful skin is worth it, wouldn’t you agree!? Don’t go looking for Clarifiance at your local drugstore because you won’t find it! Lancôme Clarifiance Oil-Free Gel Cleanser is only available at fine department and cosmetic stores (such as Macy’s and Sephora). This light, oil free gel foams into a silky mousse that glides onto the skin and feels, well, simply luxurious! It is well formulated, whisper light, and has special cleansing agents perfect for people that are battling oily skin. Clarifiance will leave your skin feeling refreshed and best of all, no oily residue is ever left behind! Of course, Lancôme has all of their products tested by dermatologists so you know you are getting a safe, grade-A, skin care product! Again, for the best prices, do an internet search as the market is highly competitive.

Last but not least, Clarins Purifying Cleansing Gel for Oily Skin. Clarins is another well known and trusted skin care company that specializes not only skin care but fragrances as well. Founded by medical student Jacques Courtin-Clarins in 1954, this company not only offers all types of skin care products for women, they have an entire men’s skin care line as well. Clarin’s Purifying Cleansing Gel for Oily Skin attacks the oil on your face but NEVER leaves it feeling dry. This gel cleanser refreshes the skin and is alcohol free. Clarins can be purchased at fine department and cosmetic stores as well as on the world-wide- web!

Though oily skin can be an annoying and embarrassing, it can be controlled! If you are in need of oily skin care, it is important that you implement a program into your daily life and stick to it! Finding your perfect oily skin care products may be difficult, but don’t give up. There are MANY different types of products on the market (such as the ones mentioned above). It may take a while before you find the one that works best for your skin type…but don’t worry there is one out there and you WILL find it!  The good news is, is that as you age, your skin naturally dries out (which means less oil). See, there’s always a silver lining in every situation….even when it comes to oily skin!

Good luck, and thanks for reading!

-K

Bags are great. Stylish, convenient, fashionable; they are the accessory no girl wants to be without. That is, at least, until they appear under the eyes. Two of the biggest complaints people have when it comes to their skin are dark, under eye bags. Yuck! Unfortunately, the eye area is often a clear reflection of the life-style that you lead. For example, if you party all night, several days a week, most likely you are going to have problems with bags under your eyes. Not pretty, to say the least. Lack of sleep can also lead to swollen eyelids which can make cosmetic application a problem in the morning (especially if you are on a time constraint as you will have to wait for the swelling to subside before applying eye make-up!).The bottom line is swollen eyelids and eye bags do not make for a fresh, glowing face! Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve the look of the area around your eyes and in no time, you will be on the road to clear beautiful skin! Of course, you may have to curb your late night lifestyle, but hey, sacrifices must be made if you want a fresh face!

If you have bags or dark eye circles, don’t worry, there are things you can do to improve the look of the skin around your eyes. Of course, there are many different products on the market to assist you with your fight including all natural and organic skin care products; however there are several simple home remedies you can try as well.

Before we go any further, let’s discuss what causes eye puffiness and dark circles in the first place. Well, as previously mentioned, your lifestyle plays a huge role; however, unfortunately, both of these skin problems can be caused by genetics as well. Sorry (go blame your mother). Other reasons for dark circles and under eye bags include poor diet, allergies, smoking, medications you may be taking, aging and sinus problems (such as a sinus infection).

The skin around the eyes is very thin and delicate; therefore, you should always apply skin treatments and eye creams in a very gentle manner. It is also important to note that the facial moisturizer that you use on your face should not be used on your eyes. Why? Well for one thing, facial moisturizers and creams are usually too rich for such a delicate area. Using a rich face moisturizer on your eyes can actually cause little white bumps to form (these bumps are known as milia or in simple terms, whiteheads). On a separate note, if you wear contact lenses it is very important that you avoid putting rich face creams on the skin around your eyes. If the skin cream gets into your eyes there is a very good chance that it could cloud your contacts and cause vision problems. Not fun! Rich facial moisturizers and creams can also clog your tear ducts and actually prevent your eyes from lubricating. So play it safe and only use skin care products that are specifically made for the delicate eye area.

Eye creams are designed to be light (and safe) for the delicate skin that surrounds your eye sockets. Though light, they are loaded with a high level of moisture, which is a good thing! A good eye cream will not only firm but energize the area as well. If you purchase a good, high quality eye cream you should only need to dab on a drop or two as a little goes a long way! If you want to refresh and energize the skin that surrounds your eyes it is very important to develop a daily skin routine and stick to it. Trust me, in twenty years you will be glad you did! Oh and before I forget, avoid eye creams that contain the ingredient Retin-A. If Retin-A finds its way into your eyes they can become extremely irritated and worst case scenario, damaged.

So what can you do about baggy eyes? Well, for temporary relief, go buy yourself some green tea bags and a potato or two. Lie down and place the item of choice on your eyes for approximately ten to fifteen minutes (and relax!). The caffeine (which is a diuretic) that is in the tea will help to reduce swelling as will the potato! Just don’t put the entire potato on your eyes…a slice (that is VERY cold) will do. Cucumbers work wonders as well! Simply place a cucumber slice on each eye, cover with a cold, damp cloth and wait for ten minutes (an old but effective method when it comes to dealing with eye bags and puffiness)!  If you have tried every eye and skin cream under the sun and have bought so many cucumbers you’d be better off growing your own and nothing seems to eliminate the bags…it may be time to go to the allergist. Bags are often caused by health issues such as chronic allergies.  An allergist can get to the root of the problem and find out if you are allergic to anything that may be contributing to your puffy problem. Remember, diet plays a very important role if you want to have beautiful skin so it may be something you are eating that is actually causing the problem.

There are also many different types of eye skin creams on the market that you may wish to try. For example, The Organic Health and Beauty Company sells a Cellular Extract Eye Lift Gel that “delivers an instant eye lift that creates a toned, more youthful appearance.” While organic skin care products are wonderful and the latest rage, you can always turn to an “oldie but a goodie” and buy Olay Definity Illuminating Eye Treatment. Whether or not it is the best under eye cream for you will require experimenting, but it is very popular and not only strengthens the delicate skin that surrounds the eyes, but it hydrates as well! Your skin will appear immediately brighter and smoother and darkness and shadows will disappear leaving your eyes looking more luminous. I guess that’s why they call it Olay Definity ILLUMINATING Eye Treatment!

Whether you choose to go with an organic skin care product or tea bags, it is important that you develop a go eye bag treatment routine and stick to it! Taking care of your skin should become a habit…one that you enjoy doing because you know the results will be worth the trouble! If you have been fighting with eye bags and under eye puffiness for years, don’t procrastinate any longer…make an appointment with a dermatologist and seek medical advice and help. Unfortunately, there is not a single soul on the planet that can escape the aging process. However, you can be pro-active and start taking care of your skin. The sooner, the better! Good luck, and may the bags under your eyes take a permanent vacation!

Of the many posts I’ve written on this and other blogs, I’ve always hated those in which I try to select the “best” of something. Trying to find the best wrinkle cream is no different. The problem is that the term is often subjective, open to interpretation, and I’m a firm believer in the simple fact that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to most things in life. So before we even begin to discuss what may or may not be the best wrinkle cream (or the best anti wrinkle cream, more specifically) out there, it would probably be wise to describe why that’s so difficult to quantify.

Different areas may require different solutions. I could spend the next hour writing about the best anti wrinkle creams for crow’s feet only to leave those of you looking for a solution to wrinkles around the mouth completely unsatisfied.

Additionally, everybody (and every body) is different. What works for you may not work for others or, if it does work, may not work as well. Anything from the depth of wrinkles to your skin’s sensitivity may make a great product less than ideal for your situation.

There’s also an issue of price. There are some amazing products that are simply out of reach for a large percentage of the population. At the very least, they are expensive enough to make regular or long-term use highly undesirable for some. The best solution in the world is hardly the “best” and is almost completely pointless if you can’t afford it.

Another consideration is what you expect. Do you want a solution that actually fixes the problem or one that covers it up? Would you be content to hide the lines around your eyes for that blind date you have tomorrow night or are you willing to commit to a daily treatment that will “fix” the source of the problem rather than hide it? They are two very different objectives requiring two very different solutions.

Finally, there’s convenience. While a quick jaunt to your local Target will supply you with many mainstream products, some higher end items may require a visit to a store specializing in cosmetics, to a boutique or even, believe it or not, to your doctor. We’ll actually discuss some products available through prescription today. If you aren’t the kind who likes to go out of her way, your options will be a bit limited. In many (but not all) cases, the internet is your best friend. Many hard-to-come-by items are easy to find if you shop for skincare products online.

Ok, so with all that to consider, how does one find the best wrinkle cream? By weighing your needs against your wallet and your tolerance for inconvenience. The simple truth is that the best wrinkle creams available (in terms of results vs. illusion) are those that actually have an elevated level of FDA involvement. Simply put, most wrinkle creams get little in the way of FDA scrutiny unless they make medical claims. Those that do get scrutinized generally claim some kind of medical results or contain prescription levels of ingredients that over-the-counter products simply can’t carry.

A great example of this is the active ingredient, Retinol. Retinol is a vitamin A compound. More relevant to you, if you’ve read some of my other posts, is that it is an antioxidant and antioxidants are a miracle discovery in all kinds of health-related matters (including those specific to your skin). Antioxidants are also found in foods that are good for your skin. You’ll find plenty anti wrinkle products sold over-the-counter containing Retinol. What you won’t find in the cosmetic aisle is anything containing tretinoin, which is an FDA approved topical treatment for treating wrinkles. It is only available by prescription.

What that last paragraph should tell you is that the products you get from a cosmetics store may or may not work. Those that claim to cover up or hide wrinkles probably do so. But for lasting results that actually attempt to correct the problem the safer bet (as far as results are concerned) are most likely those for which you’ll need to see your doctor.

Of course, as already stated, there are a lot of variables in choosing the best wrinkle fighting cream so I’m not just going to leave you with the suggestion that you go visit your doctor. Instead, I’m going to offer several suggestions you might want to try. With a little luck and a little patience, you may find that one of these (each a fantastic, respected and proven product with high user review ratings) is the right product for you.

Also, please note that there’s a lot of content already in this post so I’m not going to invest too much time talking about each of these products here. Just the highlights, gang, because if you haven’t guessed already, my real recommendation is that you try the product that sounds best for your need and hopefully you’ll find the one that actually is the best wrinkle cream specifically for YOU. I (or my wife) will come back to each of these products in future posts and will provide a more extensive write up to fill in the gaps (get it?) so check back later for that. For now, here is what we recommend you try.

Obagi ELASTIderm Night Eye Cream

One product that fits the prescription bill and may well be one of the best eye wrinkle creams out there is Obagi’s ELASTIderm Night Eye Cream. Elastin is a protein in the skin that keeps it firmly in place. The degeneration or loss of elastin due to aging, health, diet and pollutants (such as from smoking) is why you have wrinkles. What makes Obagi’s ELASTIderm Night Eye Cream so special as an effective eye wrinkle cream is that it is the first skincare product clinically proven to replenish elastin and collagen production.

It’s bit difficult to visualize, but imagine placing a plastic sandwich bag over your hand with your fingers loosely curled. Now imagine flexing your fingers and spreading them out as much as you can. The bag stretches out and wrinkles disappear. While hardly a scientific example, that should help you envision how elastin and collagen work to firm your skin. Their function is crucial to keeping skin young and firm.

Obagi ELASTIderm Eye Cream lists for around $95.00 but you can often get discounted prices. I’ve seen it move for as low as $76.00. Check with your doctor. My wife’s doctor receives discounts for the sale of this product and passes those savings on to her patients.

MD Forte Skin Rejuvenation Eye Cream

MD Forte Skin Rejuvenation Eye Cream is another product your doctor may recommend. The product description claims smoothing and toning of the skin around the eye area while diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. I recommend this and the prior products because both are often suggested by cosmetic surgeons in cases where injections or surgery are considered too extreme for the case. However, some individuals with sensitive skin have complained of irritation when using MD Forte Skin Rejuvenation Eye Cream. Others, however, have given this product rave reviews, noting signs of improvement in as little as 5 minutes with progressively younger-looking skin with continued use.

MD Forte Skin Rejuvenation Eye Cream will set you back anywhere from $55-$65.00 USD for a 3 ounce bottle. The product does not provide any moisturizing benefits, though. The manufacturer recommends using a moisturizer after application. You may want to consider Replenish Hydrating Cream.

Estee Lauder Perfectionist Correcting Concentrate

While not actually a cream, I’ve decided to include this product under the category of “fillers and hiders.” What differentiates it from the above products is that it doesn’t actually “fix” problems with wrinkles. Rather, it masks or hides wrinkles. Also, the previous two products were specific for eye wrinkles. Perfectionist Correcting Concentrate is designed for deep facial lines and wrinkles.

Perfectionist Correcting Concentrate fills in lines and wrinkles and makes them less apparent. While that’s only a temporary solution, the big bonus with this product is that it does contain many ingredients that are good for your skin too such as several antioxidants.

If you’re looking for a solution that gives the “look” without requiring months of use, this is definitely one you should consider trying. It will set you back about $42 for a pen of Perfectionist Correcting Concentrate. You might also want to add Perfectionist Wrinkle Lifting Serum and Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Crème with SPF.

A Wrap Up on Wrinkles

Though I’ve listed several products here, I want to close with an important consideration about wrinkle creams and anti wrinkle products in general. Learn a bit about marketing. I am, first and foremost, an internet marketer. While I don’t sell any products on this site directly, I do host advertisers here who sell makeup products. I tell you this not to entice you to click but because I want you to accept that I understand a bit about marketing. The problem for you is that the people selling miracle cures for wrinkles understand their fair share, too.

When you examine a product (over-the-counter products in particular) don’t let yourself be baited in by the advertising jargon. Products that claim to “reverse the look of aging” are telling you exactly what they do… they hide or mask the LOOK. They are selling an illusion. The bottom line is that if a product could deliver on the same promise as a medical procedure, it would probably be sold as drug rather than a cosmetic. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, but know what you’re getting.

Masking a few years before a date or an important meeting is perfectly fine. If you want to actually undo the damage of sun, age and pollution, you will always be better served by medically prescribed products, healthy eating, hydration and UV protection rather than relying on purely cosmetic products. Though you might find over-the-counter solutions that offer some improvement, you’ll likely never find a face-lift in a bottle unless it comes from your doctor. Even then, topical solutions will only do so much. So if you really want to find the best wrinkle cream out there, your doctor is the place to start.

The goal of the J.R. Watkins Company is “To be the most TRUSTED natural products company.” Now that’s a mission statement! After all, if the consumer doesn’t trust your product they probably won’t buy it! J.R. Watkins recognizes how important it is to “go green” and protect Mother Earth and that is why they offer a full line of plant based home care products that are free of pollutants and are biodegradable. Wonderful! J.R. Watkins has truly been a pioneer when it comes to natural living. They use only the finest natural ingredients in their products and stand by the commitment they have made not only to their customers but the planet as well.

So what types of products does J.R. Watkins sell? Well, products are broken down into categories including Natural Personal Care, Natural Home Care, Natural Gourmet and Remedies. The Natural Personal Care product line includes facial and foot care products (such as the Gentle Pore Scrub which is made from apricot seeds and other natural ingredients), all natural hand a body lotions (the Lemon Cream Hand and Body Lotion is one my favorites), body creams, hand a cuticle salves, body oils, lip balms, bath salts and all natural travel kits.

 As previously mentioned J.R. Watkins is committed to Mother Earth and that is why they have created their Natural Home Care product line. Products within this line are, of course, all natural and free from petro chemicals, formaldehyde, and phosphates. Their home products are natural, plant based cleaners that are not only SAFE for you but the planet as well! J.R. Watkins has implemented a “Freedom Code.” This means that the products that they produce are FREE from the following: ammonia, animal ingredients, benzene, bleach, dyes, formaldehyde, petrochemicals, sulfuric acid, kerosene…well, you get the idea. Some of the products that can be purchased include all purpose cleaners (the green tea and lemon all purpose wipes really work!), orange citrus all natural and all purpose cleaner, lemon liquid  laundry concentrate, aloe and green tea liquid dish soap (which is gentle on the hands!), lemon furniture polish, lemon toilet bowl cleaner and many, many more!

It is easy to see that J.R. Watkins is COMMITTED to not only producing the best skin care products but the best home care products as well! As the company expands, so does the variety of products that they sell. Over the past several years they have added not only all natural remedies to their inventory but yummy, natural gourmet items as well (they sell all types of spices, extracts, even dessert and frosting mixes!). If you have a cold and a cough, don’t worry! Simply grab a bottle of all natural Supercold Cough Medicine and you’ll be on your way to feeling better in no time!

J.R. Watkins has been in business for many, many years. They strongly believe that all natural is better and that keeping Mother Earth beautiful is just as important as helping you with beautiful skin! Since 1868, J.R. Watkins has evolved into one of the leading manufacturers of not only all natural skin care products but oh so much more! Finally, a company that really cares…not only about YOU but the planet that WE ALL share!

I had it in mind to begin writing about organic beauty products for beautiful skin but I promised to continue writing about foods for skin care so I’m sticking to that promise. The good news (for me, anyway) is that, when it comes to beauty products, food is about as organic as you can get! If you haven’t already read my post on drinking water for beautiful skin, please start there before you continue reading this. I promise this post will still be here when you finish but, water being as important as it is, you really should begin your skin-friendly foods education with that post.

In this, our next topic on foods that are good for your skin, we’re going to discuss the humble berry and fruits. In my European upbringing, wild berries and fruits were a common and frequent part of life. Avid hikers and outdoorsmen, Germans often find themselves exploring the wilderness and I, a guest in that country, fully embraced their traditions. That meant hiking through the beautiful countryside where the farmers didn’t mind if you picked the occasional apple or grazed from the wild berries surrounding their fields.

Among my favorite treats were the blackberries that grew almost to the point of being a nuisance to the farmers. Plump, juicy, sweet and tart, it was all my father could do to keep me moving if I happened to notice blackberries growing fence-side along the side of the trail. Living here in the US, I find them a lot harder to come by in the wild, but they are worth the effort to find or buy from a grocery store because blackberries are GREAT for healthy, beautiful skin. Why? Antioxidants!

Blackberries aren’t the only berry or fruit high in antioxidants. Sharing their ranking status as having the highest antioxidant capacity (out of just about any food) are blueberries, plums, strawberries and others. Nice as that is, you’re probably left wondering what the big deal is. What are antioxidants anyway, and why are they good for you? Glad you asked.

Basically, think of antioxidants as nutrients in food that keep you healthy by slowing or preventing the natural processes in biology that damage our cells. Getting a bit more technical, the cells in your body naturally produce free-radicals. These are a byproduct of using oxygen. It’s a bit like cell-poop if you want to think of it that way. The cell uses oxygen like you use food and produces free radicals like you might excrete waste. Cell poop is a bad thing. It’s something you can’t simply prevent because the production of free-radicals is a natural byproduct of your cell’s use of oxygen. Short of starving your cells of oxygen (which would kill you), you really have no choice but to suffer the potential consequences of them processing the oxygen which is oxidative damage.

So how do berries, fruits and other foods high in antioxidants help? Another good question! I’m glad you’re here asking. See, antioxidants essentially scavenge free radicals. In sufficient quantities, they can prevent the damage that simply being alive causes to your body. But the good news doesn’t stop there! Studies imply that antioxidants can prevent the development of anything from cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis and cataracts! Even taking skin care completely out of the equation those benefits alone make it worth your while to add some blackberries or other fruits to your next shopping list! But, since this is a blog about skin care and a post about foods for beautiful skin, let’s refocus.

Where your skin is concerned, free radicals damage the membrane of skin cells. Normal oxidation can be the source, but sun exposure can contribute too. Damaged skin cells, of course, run a risk of damaged DNA in the cell. So, the inclusion of antioxidant rich foods in your diet provides an army of free radical hungry nutrients which will protect your cells from being damaged in the first place! Whether your objective is to find something natural or simply the best anti aging skin care products, antioxidant rich foods are your number one resource for results.

Ok, but what if you don’t like blackberries. Hey, I sympathize. I’ve found the blackberries available in grocery stores here in the US to be more tart than those I picked in the German countryside as a child. I’m not a big fan of tart. The good news is that there are plenty foods high in antioxidants that can help you find your way to beautiful skin. In fact, the US Department of Agriculture produced a top 20 list. I’d list them all, but since this post is on fruits and berries, I’ll save the full 20 list for a later post but you should note that 13 out of the 20 items listed are fruits and berries. For now, here are the best fruits and berries you can eat for healthy, beautiful skin.

1. Blueberries (wild)
2. Blueberries (cultivated)
3. Cranberries
4. Blackberries
5. Prunes
6. Raspberries (my favorite berry of all)
7. Strawberries
8. Red delicious apples (good for keeping doctors AND dermatologists away)
9. Granny Smith apples
10. Sweet cherries
11. Black plums
12. Plums
13. Gala Apples

When it comes to finding foods that are good for you, you’ll often find fruits and berries at the top of the list. But if you’re looking for foods for healthy skin, you can’t go wrong by selecting from the list above. Just as it takes time for the damage caused by free radicals, sun exposure, age and pollution to show on your skin, it also takes time for these antioxidant rich foods to reverse skin damage. For best results, include one of the fruits or berries listed above or one of the foods I’ll mention in my next post in at least one meal every day. In time, you’ll feel better, look better and be a healthier person over all!

Your body is wrapped in a new suit of skin about every 1 to 2 months. By including a healthy diet complete with water, antioxidant-rich foods and other dietary recommendations we’ll include in future posts, you can dramatically change your appearance in a very short amount of time. When to start your diet for beautiful skin? Why not today?

Number one on our list of good foods for your skin is water. Ok, not technically a food for skin care, I know. But for argument’s sake, assume that I mean consumable foods and liquids when I use the word “food.” Water’s benefits for healthy skin simply can’t be overstated. While there are foods that will specialize in promoting different health benefits for your skin, think of water as the A-bomb of skin care. Everything in your body requires it to function efficiently. Your cells (including your skin cells) thrive when ample water is present in the body. They literally starve in its absence.

Drinking too little water will lead to dehydration and that will become very evident in your skin. As your body suffers from inadequate water, your skin loses elasticity, becomes dry, flakey and splotchy. And no shortcuts here, folks. When we say water, we mean pure water, not soda or beer. And here’s a surprise, I’m not recommending bottled water either unless it is mineral water. Those minerals found in your clean and perfectly drinkable tap-water are actually good for you and your skin. Excessive filtration or distillation strips water of those minerals.

While your particular hydration needs will vary based on climate, activity levels and your body’s own specific requirements, a good safe amount to consume for normal activity is roughly 8 glasses a day. Yes, if you haven’t been good about your water consumption, you’ll find yourself making frequent trips to the bathroom until your body adjusts, but this isn’t just about vanity, folks. Looking good is just the bonus you get for actually being healthier. So go grab a glass of water and then continue reading. We’ll wait…, back? Ok, read on.

Now, why is water so good for you? If you haven’t kept up on your science, liquid water is the one requirement for life scientists can absolutely agree on. In fact, your body consists of about 65% water. When something is that fundamental to your make up, it doesn’t take a huge intellectual leap to conclude that the lack of that substance can be detrimental to you in many ways. At the extreme end of the spectrum, there’s death. The average survival rate for somebody deprived completely of water in any form is 3-4 days. That amount can be extended by a day or two or diminished by a day or two based on activity level and climate but, deprive yourself completely of water and the absolute best case scenario will have you dead inside of a week.

Less dramatic than death but very relevant here are the results of too little water. Many of us are slowly starving our bodies of this vital fluid on a daily basis. The results can be as mild as increased appetite (pay attention, gang, that means that too little water can leave you eating too much food which leads, of course, to weight gain). Dehydration is often misinterpreted as hunger. Want an easy way to shave off a few pounds? Make sure you drink your 8 glasses of water every day to suppress your appetite.

Other symptoms of mild dehydration include headaches, irritability and other nuisance symptoms. But the most relevant for our purposes is that prolonged dehydration will show in your skin. Let me elaborate a bit on that to explain what I mean by prolonged dehydration. I’m not talking about the failure to consume any liquid at all, but the long-term results of drinking too little water every day or substituting too many diuretics (coffee, tea, soda) in place of plain water. Over the course of months and years, chronic dehydraters (I made that word up) will see all kinds of undesirable results in their skin.

Even if you aren’t ready to jump on the virtues of water wagon yet, here’s something you should consider… those expensive skin care products you’re buying, useless. Useless, that is, if you aren’t adequately hydrating by consuming water. What good is locking in moisture if you don’t have enough in you to begin with? Most skin care products that promise healthy, glowing skin cannot come through on those promises if you are inadequately hydrated.

Finally, if you wake up with bags or dark circles under your eyes, you may be dehydrated. Both are symptoms of inadequate hydration (though poor sleep and illness can also cause this symptom). But, if you are otherwise healthy and rested yet still waking up to puffy raccoon eyes, it’s time to hit the bottle (the water bottle) and make a positive change in both your looks and your health.

The next time you’re out shopping for skin care products or if you buy skin care products online, take a minute to carefully read the product descriptions. You’ll notice they often state “for healthier looking skin.” There’s the difference between most skin care products and legitimate nutrition and hydration. Products give you healthier LOOKING skin while nutrition and water give you healthy skin, plain and simple.

We’ll leave it at that for now but the message here is pretty straight forward. Given the choice between healthy looking skin and actual healthy skin, the choice should be simple. And it’s just water, my friends; inexpensive, abundant, healthy water. It is the best anti aging skin care… no, the best overall skin care product you can buy affordably and use regularly. Drink a little today and, in time, you’ll be rewarded with healthier skin than even the most impressive organic skin care products could ever promise you.

Update: our next post on foods that are good for your skin is up. We’ll be introducing you to the benefits of delicious fruits and berries.