Recently at a holiday gathering of middle aged folks, I became entangled in a conversation about aging and appearance. The women in the discussion were lamenting the fact they were seeing more fine lines and wrinkles on their faces and actually seemed to be depressed. One mentioned she spends a fortune on anti aging creams and lotion to no avail, her complexion was still showing signs of aging.
It was interesting to listen to these people who I know were not anymore vain than the rest of us, they were clearly disappointed in the fact that they were showing their ages. There reaction displayed a couple things to me that night. First, it is no wonder the manufacturers of anti aging products are doing such a booming business. Second, if there were more means to achieve a youthful complexion without spending a king’s ransom on anti aging products, these people would have been all for it, and I suspect millions more would be as well.
Here are some rudimentary guidelines for a younger and healthier appearance – some that cost money and some only costing time.
MINIMIZE YOUR PORES
An individual’s pores swell when they become filled with gunge and the more one ages the more likely it is these pores will grow wider. Shrink them by using a cleaner that contains salicylic acid that breaks up the oil in the pores. An added benefit is it will also clear away the old skin that can cause this clogging action. You can use Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser and Bioré Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser.
STRIP IT CLEAN
To reduce and sanitize pores, such as those found on or about the nose, clean them weekly with pore strips. These are an amazing tool to keep the nasal region free of plugged pores but can be used where you need them.
SPREAD THE SUNBLOCK ON
It should be no surprise that today you should be using at least a 30 SPF sunscreen that is broad spectrum. The elements found in Mexoryl, Helioplex have the greatest and longest protection factor, and it is advised that you apply it liberally to your face and body. You should also be aware that this needs to be done every day and repeated each couple hours you are outside, that means while in your car as well. Remember, it should be done each and every day. There are some great products available for this so find what is right for you and in your price range. It is recommended you find something that is non greasy, like Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 with Mexoryl.
YOU NEED MORE SLEEP!
Try getting to bed fifteen minutes earlier for four nights in a row. You will be able to begin a regimen of gaining an extra one hour of precious sleep each night and clear away the dark circles about your eyes. To increase your odds of getting a great sleep, refrain from drinking caffeinated coffee after three p.m. each day and get your exercise in no later than three hours before you hit the hay. Quit your web surfing earlier as well – your appearance is vastly more important than your email or Twitter. Avoid pressing the snooze on your alarm, when sleep is repeatedly interrupted it makes you feel bleary.
LOAD UP WITH ANTIOXIDANTS
These antioxidants are your elite force against the damage from sun exposure and environmental contaminants. The best ones are CoffeeBerry, which can be found in RevaléSkin Day Cream with SPF 15, or Priori CoffeeBerry Day Complex. Drink plenty of green tea and perhaps augment with green tea extract, idebenone in Prevage Anti Aging Treatment. Other antioxidants of extreme value are pomegranate and coenzyme Q10, whichever ones you use be sure to do so each morning for a day long protective shield.
DO NOT FORGET THE RETINOL
Retinol is the only substance that evidence has shown to decrease those fine lines and wrinkles for a prolonged period of time. It is not perfect though since it can raise sensitivity to the sun, which is why it should be used in the evening. It can cause some peeling, flaking, itchiness and skin redness so be careful when using it. Experts in dermatology recommend taking a slow approach to anti aging therapies. Apply treatments in small amounts and even mix with plain moisturizers until you are sure your epidermis can deal with new treatments.
LEAVE YOUR EYES ALONE
Your eyes are tempting to touch and rub but they are vulnerable. You should avoid rubbing them, poking around and simply mindlessly fiddling with them. Whenever you do these things to your eyes, you take the chance of popping the tiny blood vessels that could mean darkening, dullness and skin thickening in this area.
When searching for a cream for the eyes, find something gentle with anti aging elements such as peptides, or perhaps zinc. There is evidence that zinc increases the creation of elastin that reduces that crepiness look.
STOP DRINKING AND SMOKING
You must be looking after your whole body in order to protect your skin. Smoking is a wrinkle instigator that wrecks collagen and elastin. In addition to this, any more than a single glass of alcohol will increase inflammation in the bloodstream and this leads to sagging skin eventually. Eating sugar is bad for skin as well [big surprise to those of us who were teenagers!]; it decreases the body’s ability to restore collagen damage.
IMPROVE YOUR ANTI AGING VIGILANCE
Remember to do the small things because they will eventually lead to bigger issues – like early aging.
• Try not to squint your eyes – use sunglasses. If you wear glasses or contacts, be sure you have an up to date prescription.
• Do not use a straw to drink fluids, as it will lead to lineage about the mouth.
• Stop laying your chin in your hands, as this will stretch your skin out.
• Sleep on a smooth pillowcase like satin. Cotton will fold and crease making facial marks while you sleep.
CLEAR AWAY DARK SPOTS
Wrinkles in your skin have been the tell tale sign of aging for many years however, most people believe that blotchy skin makes one look even older. Dark spots are actually easier to eradicate and it will take about a month for these to disappear. The secret is using hydroquinone, which can be found in Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel and DDF Skincare Fade Gel. It needs to be applied to brown spots directly each evening. These are what appear when you do not use sunscreen so be sure to apply sunscreen or you will only be removing what you will soon be replacing.
BEWARE THE LIGHT
When we get older our cell reproduction begins to slow and the dead cells buildup about your face. Sooner or later, these stragglers will reflect light at strange angles and cheat your skin out of its innate glow. It is far from beautifying. Scrub these away a couple times a week using an in home acid peel treatment you can find at most beauty counters.
REMEMBER YOUR NECK AND HANDS AS WELL
Other than your face, these two pats of your body will give away your true age faster than your birth certificate on a super bowl commercial. Be sure these body parts are on the same daily regimen as the face is. Use sunscreen in the a.m. and apply the retinol in the p.m. Be sure to dab on the hydroquinone to those age spots and exfoliate twice per week.
Follow these simple routines religiously and you will have age defying skin in no time. These days there is no reason why, with some discipline and the right anti aging treatments, anyone should not have great youthful and healthy looking skin.
Fri, Jan 8, 2010
Anti Aging, Anti Aging Products, Health And Aging