"Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again."Andre Gide
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Acne - An Introduction
Acne is the most common skin disorder. Over 10% of Americans age 25 - 44 have acne. Over 85% Americans age 12 - 25 will have acne at one time or the other. If ignored, acne can become infected, create scars, and pockmarks that become permanent on your ...
Is There A Single Acne Cure That Will Work For Everyone?
How do we go about preventing acne? Well to be honest if you don't have acne then you're probably not too bothered about preventing it. How about looking for a cure first of all and then looking for ways to prevent it coming back in the future? Although ...
Why add "fillers" to mineral make-up?
Check the list of ingredients on your mineral make-up. Is it full of additives that you can barely pronounce? What do these additves do? Are they necessary?Many times, no, they are not. Lipids/oils can clog pores, and also creates a ready breeding ground ...
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We usually have a choice: we can accept what's happening to us or we can empower ourselves and try to modify the situation. Genetics, past and current behaviors, gravity and time are tough adversaries but there are actions you can take to lessen their influence. Here's what you can control to resist those pesky fine lines and wrinkles.
Basically your skin reflects external factors and the care you're taking of yourself. If you're sick or stressed or stretched or tired, these conditions show. Your skin, especially on your face, may appear dull or drawn and show blemishes and signs of aging.
Personal care- Try to squeeze in a few minutes, twice a day, to do the four or five simple steps for healthy skin: cleanse, exfoliate (lightly), freshen or tone, moisturize and, in the morning, protect. Many brands, like Mary Kay Inc., are combining the cleanse-exfoliate-freshen steps into one with a comprehensive facial product. You'll start to see the results of increased personal care in clearer, smoother skin within two to three weeks. That's a great return on investment for a small amount of time spent.
Diet - We all know the benefits of a good diet. Generally, when you're healthy so is your skin*. You can follow a special diet for a desired result or just get your daily quota of vegetables, fruits, bran and water to improve your skin.
Hydrating the skin from inside, by drinking sufficient water, and from outside, by using moisturizers, helps plump up the skin. (Facial moisturizers may contain humectants which draw moisture. When used around the eye area, humectants can cause puffiness. For the eye area, choose specially-formulated creams to moisturize.)
Exercise - Diet and exercise; we've heard it before. For the skin, exercise results in increased circulation (oxygenation and cell turnover), sweating (removal of toxins) and improved skin tone, among others. Exercise reduces stress which helps with outlook, attitude and even facial expressions (good ones).
Sleep, rest, relaxation - Being well-rested enhances our bodies and looks. If a good night's sleep is a luxury, fit in a short break during the day to recharge. Do something that suits your lifestyle and personality with the goal of temporarily relaxing your body and quieting your mind.
Sun exposure and the environment - External factors affecting your skin include direct sun, poor quality air, heat, cold, humidity, dryness.
To prevent bad effects from exposure to the sun, wear a sunscreen or sun block on unprotected skin year around. Select one that's been approved by the Skin Care Foundation with an SPF of 15 and over. Ingredients that are considered particularly effective include Parsol 1789 a.k.a. avobenzene (a sunscreen) and titanium oxide & zinc oxide (sun blocks).
To reverse damage from past sun exposure, consider products that exfoliate the skin and stimulate collagen production. These include mechanical exfoliants such as microdermabrasion (Mary Kay Inc.), retinoids or Vitamin A derivatives (Renova and Retinol) and antioxidants.
Other behaviors - In addition to poor diet, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep, unprotected exposure to the sun and environment, cigarette smoke and excessive alcohol consumption wreak havoc on skin, especially the delicate skin of the face and neck.
That's a quick introduction to the factors that affect the health and aging of our skin and the conditions we can control. Stay tuned for more details!
*For specific skin conditions, please consult a board-certified dermatologist.
© Copyright 2006. Charlotte Maddox. All rights reserved.
About the author:
Charlotte is an experienced independent beauty consultant with Mary Kay Inc.
Register on Charlotte's Mary Kay Inc. web site to receive a monthly email newsletter, Beaut-e-News(tm), with tips & techniques and a seasonal mailing of the "The Look" catalog with free samples plus the latest in skin care and color looks (complete privacy ensured).
http://www.marykay.com/charlottemaddox
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