It seems that everyone is after the fountain of youth, and men and women alike spend vast amounts of time and money in the quest for younger looking skin. While you can go the route of Botox® treatments, chemical peels, and the many variations of cosmetic surgery, there are simpler, and far less costly ways to help your skin retain its vitality. Creams and lotions may help to a degree, but certain common sense procedures will help even more. These begin with protecting your skin from the ravages of ultraviolet (UV) rays and smoking.
To have younger looking skin, you should protect it by not over-exposing it to the harsh rays of the sun. If you are going to be outside for a prolonged period, wear a hat and apply sunscreen. Many people think they only need sunscreen during the heat of summer, but this is a myth. The UV rays do not care about temperature, and sunscreen is just as important in the winter as in the summer.
The second enemy of younger looking skin is smoking. If you smoke, you are doing massive damage to the micro capillaries in the top layers of your skin. Blood vessels shrink and become narrower each time you light up, and your skin will begin to lose its elastic properties. The results of smoking on skin are wrinkles, bags, and sagging jowls.
Some wrinkle creams do work, for some people, but they rarely work as well as advertised. Creams and moisturizers are not miracle drugs, and any improvement in skin quality they might provide will be slight. The best ones contain a derivative of vitamin A known as Retinol, as well as compounds such as hydroxy acids, copper peptides, kinetin, and tea extracts. It should be noted that pregnant women, or women who seek to become pregnant, should avoid vitamin A derivatives. Some research indicates they can play a role in birth defects.
Proper diet and a healthy lifestyle can play a huge part in achieving younger looking skin. Pass on the caffeine as much as possible, and also get plenty of sleep. The latter, more than anything else, will help your skin heal and refresh itself. Make sure you drink up to 3 quarts (2.84 liters) of water every day, and avoid fad diets. Nuts, fresh fruits, multi-grain breads, and any fish with an abundance of Omega 3 acids will help you achieve the goal of younger looking skin.
Content Source: Wisegeek.com
What is the Best Moisturizer For Oily Skin?
Moisturizing the skin is an important part of a daily skincare routine. Although some people may think that moisturizing oily skin isn't necessary, moisturizer for oily skin helps balance sebum production while lightly hydrating the skin. A good moisturizer has ingredients that dissolve the skin's surface oils without overdrying the face. To choose the best moisturizer for oily skin, look for one that is designed for your skin type, is not too thick or heavy, and doesn't contain oils.
Oily skin is characterized by shine, blemishes, and enlarged pores. People with oily skin are usually also prone to acne. An effective moisturizer for oily skin will regulate sebum production. Sebum, the Latin word for "fat," is produced by sebaceous glands on the chin, forehead, and cheeks. Although sebum helps protect the skin from bacteria, excessive sebum production in the skin may lead to acne breakouts. A moisturizer for oily skin should play two roles: regulate sebum production and hydrate to the skin.
Most moisturizers for oily skin are labeled "oil-free" or "for oily skin." Many of these moisturizers are also intended for people with acne, and may contain salicylic acid. This ingredient effectively clears enlarged pores to prevent breakouts. Moisturizers for oily skin may also contain a natural astringent, such as lemon, chamomile, or papaya. Alcohol is also an astringent, but people with oily skin should avoid moisturizers with large amounts of alcohol, which may overdry skin.
People with oily skin should avoid heavy, creamy moisturizers which often contain oils. These moisturizers may clog the pores and lead to increased oil production, as well as acne breakouts. Any moisturizing product designed for dry skin should not be used on oily skin.
Although people with oily skin should not use heavy products, moisturizers for oily skin must hydrate the skin to compensate from the water loss due to alcohol or other astringents. Natural ingredients, such as shea butter and avocado extract, are usually effective for moisturizing skin. Jojoba oil is another moisturizer for oily skin. Some theories indicate that jojoba oil can balance oil production by tricking the skin into thinking that it has produced enough oil and halting sebum production. Octyl palmitate, another common ingredient in moisturizers and lipsticks, hydrates skin without resulting in a greasy finish.
Any significant amount of these oils and extracts may overhydrate the skin, however. For example, large amounts of glycerin or jojoba oil may clog pores, resulting in shiny skin and possible acne breakouts.
Moisturizers for oily skin should be applied thinly. You may want to perform a skin test to test that the moisturizer is absorbed into the skin quickly. Moisturizers should be applied after cleansing or exfoliating the skin. It's a good idea to look for products with an SPF to help protect the skin as well as resolving other skin issues.
Content Source: Wisegeek
