Beautiful Skin at Any Age

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October 4, 2009


beautiful_skin.jpgYour 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

Categories: Beauty, General Skin Care, Moisturizing, Oily Skin, anti aging skin care, fighting wrinkles.

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Three Great Oily Skin Care Products

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September 26, 2009


oily-skin-care-girl-washing-face.jpgNot 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!

oily-skin-care-products-clarifiance-oil-free-cleanser.jpgNext 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

Categories: Oily Skin, Oily Skin Care Products, Skin Care for Men.

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J.R. Watkins for the Best All Natural Skin Care Products

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August 28, 2009

Looking for the best all natural skin care products? Well look no further! J.R. Watkins is a family owned and operated all natural skin care company that has been in business for over one hundred years! For a company to operate and thrive for that long, they must know what they are doing! J.R. Watkins manufactures high quality products and provides outstanding customer service.  It all began in 1868 when the J.R. Watkins Medical Company launched its first product, Original Liniment. Well, my skin loving friends, J.R. Watkins has come a long way since it sold its first bottle of liniment and now produces and sells hundreds of different health and beauty products…all natural, of course!

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!

Categories: All Natural Skin Care Products, Beauty.

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Drink Water for a Healthy Beautiful Skin Care Solution

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August 22, 2009


5214434_blog.jpgNumber 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.

Categories: Beauty, Food for Healthy Skin, General Skin Care, Health.

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