Anti Aging Skin Care

It is never too soon, nor too late to start taking care of your skin. The key to looking younger is being diligent in a daily skin care regimen for your skin type. Before you spend thousands of dollars on surgery, botox treatments and expensive products, start with the basics.

Our skin is a reflection of our lifestyles. It’s a snapshot of what we are doing. Good skin care begins internally, no matter what your age!

Exercise -

Both weight training and 20 minute daily workouts can get the blood circulating and increase your heart rate to burn calories.

Watch what you eat! -

You are what you eat! A basic rule to follow for healthier eating is – the fresher the food, the better it will be for you. Try to avoid processed foods and also foods that are high in sodium.

Anti Aging Skin Care Regimen -

· Body Care – Choose a gentle exfoliating body scrub to be used once weekly when in the shower or bath. Gently use a body soap or gel. Avoid harsh body soaps with any type of antibacterial additives. After towel drying, apply an all over body oil (such as Neutrogena sesame oil) but be sure to avoid your face. Allow up to 10 minutes for the oil to absorb into your warm, damp skin. Follow this with a moisture cream or lotion.

· Facial Skin Care. Depending on the severity of prominent wrinkles and dehydration, your skin care will vary. If you are not sure how hydrated your skin is, gently push the bottom of your cheek above the jaw line, towards the eyes. If more fine lines become apparent your skin is dehydrated.

1. Cleanse – Cleanse daily using a cleansing cream or lotion. Gently move your fingertips in small circular motions moving upward from the neck to the hairline. Wipe off gently with a soft washcloth or facial tissue in long upward strokes.

2. Tone – Select a toner for your skin type. Aging skin should select a toner with no alcohol. Saturate a cotton pad (not cotton ball) and gently wipe using long upward strokes from the base of the neck to the hairline.

3. Hydrate – There are several excellent products on the market in varying price ranges. Products are designed to work together. When choosing a hydrating lotion, choose a moisturizer from the same product line. Place a few drops on the upper part of the palm of your hand close to the finger joint. (The center palm has natural oils). Using your fingertips apply in long upward strokes from the base of the neck to the hairline.

4. Moisturize – When choosing a moisturizer, try to test the product beforehand. Creams and lotions can offer the same benefits; find the consistency that works best for you. You will find that by using the hydrator first you will need less moisturizer. When smoothing on your moisturizer start at the base of the neck moving upward to the hairline; avoid the eye area. Choose a day moisturizer for under your make-up. Use at night time diligently.

5. Eye Cream – The eye cream can be used under make-up and at night. The eye area is very sensitive. Use your ring finger (it uses the least amount of pressure) and gently tap moving from the outside corner of the eye inward. Then tap on the brow bone to the lid. Do not go under the eyelash area. This can cause eye irritation and tears.

6. Neck Cream – Neck creams have a thicker consistency than facial moisturizers. Smooth upward and place over your hydrator. Do not use with facial moisturizer, but in place of it.

7. Lip Cream – These creams are designed for above the top lip area for the fine dry lines. It can be placed over your facial moisturizer.

Choosing Cosmetics for Aging Skin -

· Find a foundation for dry or aging skin. Allow your skin care regimen to absorb into the skin for approximately 15 minutes before applying. This will allow the foundation to stay on your skin surface, not absorb in with your moisturizer.

· Apply a cream or stick blush first. Then choose a powder blush to go on top. Gently smooth with one long stroke with a facial tissue.

· Use mascara! Liner should be thin and applied close to the lashes.

· Eye shadow. One rule here: nothing frosted! Use a warm base color shadow before applying accent colors.

· Complete your face with brow color. Match your brow color to look natural. Apply with a toothbrush dedicated to your brows.

· Set your make-up with a light face powder.

Have fun! Enjoy life and remember, no matter what your age, it’s just a number, not who you are.

By: Linda Woods

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