AntiAging

Anti-aging is a very popular topic today. Let?s face it ? we all get older. But, with the scientific advances today, we can actually reverse the aging process. Be very cautious when choosing anti-aging products, however, as there are many that make claims that are not true. The claim I hear most often is that a product is a miracle cream that will remove wrinkles. WRONG. Once you have a wrinkle, you can not remove it. You can, however, reduce its visibility and depth.

The best age to start using an anti-aging product is in your 20s. Skin follows a biological timeline by decades. Wrinkles begin forming in your 20s and 30s as the skin?s elasticity declines and gravity begins to take hold. In your 40s and 50s, wrinkles become more visible as a decrease in collagen and elastin cause the skin and muscles to sag. Genetics, gravity and environmental factors also contribute to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. Approximately 90% of the visible signs of aging are due to sun exposure and are avoidable. This is one reason it is so important to protect yourself from the sun before the damage is done.

The skin?s ability to hold water reduces as we age. This results in a rough-textured appearance. Good skin care helps to lessen the physical aging of the skin through topical hydration and moisturization. It is important to use the proper products in order to obtain the best results. At a minimum, you should use an anti-aging facial cleanser, toner and moisturizer. I also recommend exfoliating once a week. This will remove dead cells and help diminish fine lines and wrinkles.

If you have noticeable lines around the eyes, I recommend a corrective eye cream. This will also help with dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. Place a small dab on your ring finger and gently pat it into the skin below the eye until fully absorbed.

Diet and Nutrition

Proper diet and nutrition are also important factors for anti-aging. Key nutritional elements are omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, Coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid. I recommend taking a supplement to ensure that you are getting a sufficient amount of these elements. It is also very important to drink plenty of water.

Key elements for effective anti-aging results

Vitamin C ? promotes collagen, elastin and strength and elasticity of the skin

Alpha Lipoic Acid ? a powerful antioxidant to increase cell metabolism

Kojic Acid ? a highly effective, natural skin lightening agent that reduces the appearance of long-term sun and environmental damage

Copper ? visibly smoothes, softens and firms skin and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines while promoting younger looking skin

Alpha & Beta Hydroxy Acids ? activate healthy cells while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Peptide ? improve skin roughness and lessen the appearance of wrinkle volume and depth

Sue McQueen is a health and wellness consultant. She assists clients in achieving optimal wellness through personal programs designed for each individual based on their unique needs. For more information, visit http://www.personal-health-beauty-consultant.com.

How to Avoid Wrinkles ? Taking Proper Care of Your Skin

As we age our skin starts getting wrinkles, fine lines etc. We need to take proper care of our skin to avoid wrinkles. As we age the skin starts losing the elasticity and the layer of the skin becomes very thin. Various other factors also make the skin worn out.

The first external factor, which degrades the skin, is sunlight. Excessive sunlight damages the free radicals. Cigarette smoking is another factor, which makes the skin lose its sheen and texture. Smoking reduces the blood flow in the skin, which is vital.

It is very important to moisturize the skin to lower the chances of wrinkles at a very young age. As we age we will definitely get wrinkles, the only thing we can do is slow down the process and minimize the damage. You need to take care of the skin before it is too late and take preventive steps like using lotions/creams etc, when you move out in sunlight. Smoking is injurious not only to a person?s lungs; it also affects the whole body including the skin.

There are many anti aging skin creams/lotions, which help the skin look young. Taking vegetables and fruits daily helps the skin. Whether you are in your teens or older, it does not matter, you need to take care of your skin everyday.

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Rosehip Seed Oil A Foundation for Beauty

Rosehip seed oil has become widely recognized as an effective skin and beauty care agent in the last decade, with great interest surrounding its scientifically-validated beauty-enhancing effects. The oil has been heralded as a miracle cure for skin, useful for a great myriad of conditions, from premature aging and sun damage to scarring and other damage. What is this wonderful red liquid, where does it come from, how does it work, and most importantly, can it work for you?

Rosehip seed oil is extracted from the seed within the fruit of the wild thorny rose bush. Native to Chile, the plant is now cultivated elsewhere in South America with many countries producing the oil. Also found under the name 'Rosa Mosqueta', the oil has been used by native people for hundreds of years, but only recently became known to the rest of the world.

The red colored oil can be either solvent extracted or 'cold-pressed' ? pressing is the really way to go, as there is no chance of any solvent residues remaining in the final product, and it is easier on the environment. The cold-pressed oil is the closest to nature; it has a high essential fatty acid content, and is considered more delicate than other seed oils. For this reasons, pure rosehip seed oil should be kept in a cool place, out of direct light, and should be used within 1 year of purchase. Otherwise the more fragile of the fatty acids could begin to turn bad, and your skin might not be so fond of them.

Rosehip seed oil is an excellent source of natural vitamin E and natural vitamin A, or 'trans-retinoic acid'. Retinoic acid, the acid derivative of vitamin A, is the active ingredient found in Retin-A or Tretinoin. Retin-A (a pharmaceutical preparation) has been heralded as a wrinkle cure because of its ability to increase skin cell proliferation ? or speed the time it takes for your skin to regenerate. In fact, rosehip seed oil has been extensively studied for many of the same actions attributed to Retin-A, and has been shown effective without side effects (like over-drying and peeling ? though unlike Retin-A, it should not be used to treat acne).

The first major study on rosehip seed oil was performed in 1983 by a team of researchers at the University of Santiago, Chile. The study's participants included individuals with diverse forms of skin damage: deep wrinkles and other premature aging, UV damage, radiation damage, acne scarring, burn scarring, dermatitis, and other problems of this type. Rosehip seed oil was shown to have significant, noticeable effects in regenerating the skin, reducing wrinkles and scars, and helping the skin to regain its natural color and tone.

Another later study was conducted on women ages 25-35 with extensive premature aging of their skin. Again, rosehip seed oil significantly reduced the appearance of wrinkles and sun spots after daily application for four months. Research has continued on the oil, with one study noting: On some skin troubles like superficial wrinkles, chestnut spots and ephelides, good results have been obtained. After 16 weeks of treatment, wrinkles and spots become imperceptible. The oil has been used to successfully treat a long list of skin related conditions, including: age spots, wrinkles and premature aging, sun damage, scars from acne, burns, and surgery, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, hyper-pigmentation, brittle nails, and even dry and damaged hair.

Besides its regenerative properties, rosehip seed oil is also an excellent moisturizer. This is most likely due to its high essential fatty acid content (fatty acids that the body cannot produce itself), which are necessary for healthy skin. The oil penetrates the upper layers of the skin quickly and, being known as a 'dry' moisturizer, does not leave the skin feeling greasy or oily.

As for daily use of rosehip seed oil, it is considered extremely gentle and can be applied undiluted to the skin. It may also be blended with other oils like jojoba and sweet almond, and will still have wonderful effects at 10% of the total concentration. Further, rosehip seed oil makes an excellent carrier oil for aromatherapy ? blends with essential oils having skin regenerative and soothing properties are highly recommended.

For improvement of scarring, a simple blend of 20 drops of Helichrysum Italicum per 1 ounce of rosehip seed oil, applied daily to the area, can be helpful. Helichrysum is known for its content of regenerative 'ketones'. For a more luxurious beauty blend, try the following in 4 ounces of rosehip seed:

5 drops Helichrysum
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Sandalwood
3 drops Neroli
3 drops Carrot Seed
3 drops Geranium
2 drops Roman Chamomile
2 drops Jasmine
1 drop Palmarosa
1 drop Ylang Ylang

Even simply the Helichrysum and Lavender will go a long way ? Lavender oil is very gentle, and is also known to have regenerative properties.

So, whether using rosehip seed oil for healing your skin, or simply giving it a little nourishment, you will almost certainly be happy with the results. This luscious oil, with its broad range of positive effects, is sure to take a prominent place in your natural beauty botanical collection.

Misty Rae Cech ND is a naturopath and yoga teacher practicing in Boulder, Colorado. She utilizes many natural therapies in her practice, including aromatherapy and flower essence therapy. She is the founder of the Ananda Apothecary Flower Essences and Ananda Aromatherapy Essential Oils.

The Hand Held Facial Steamer Is the Ultimate in Skin Care!

Finally a better acne choice than non comedogenic facial cleansers, and a top choice for clear skin supplement for women. If you want to treat your skin to ultimate skin care than a hand held facial steamer is a must have!

In the old days, women would plug in a kettle and use the steam to open their pores to allow for a deep clean. While it?s 2005 we no longer have to use this archaic technique. Not only can we now purchase luxurious full size facial steamers in a host of colors and styles, we even have the option of the hand held models. Small so easy to store, convenient to use, and it will travel where ever you go.

Facial steamers open the pores allowing the skin to receive a nice deep clean. It?s great for removing crime and pollutants from pores ? basically it unclogs the pores, resulting in clearer skin and less acne outbreaks.

The gentle steam brings your skin back to life making it appear younger. The steam gives the skin back elasticity, making it appear smoother, depleting the fine lines of wrinkles, and giving it a shiny youthful appearance. It?s the quickest and cheapest way to take 10 years of your age in a hurry.

Every day we expose our skin to a host of pollutants, some directly such as our makeup, other?s indirectly such as toxins in the air, dust and dirt. Some of these pollutants are pretty mild, others can have long term toxic effects. Most women are pretty diligent about cleaning their skin in the evening with their regular cleanser. Now that?s a great start but it doesn?t get deep into the skin.

Studies have shown that your skin is like a big sponge, and it?s very effective at absorbing what it is exposed to. Now sometimes this is good ? when we apply moisturizer, or the doctor prescribes a patch prescription. But most times this is bad. When we cleanse we remove the top layer of pollutants and dirt. However pollutants, toxins, and grime trapped deeper in the skin are not removed and the result is acne or drab aged looking skin, and in serious cases skin cancer.

Well as the old saying goes, we?ve come along way babe! For as little as $20.00 you can purchase a brand name hand held steamer. There are plenty on the market to choose from. Geez that?s cheaper than an iron, and much more fun to use!

Your skin will be healthier and look younger, and it will thank you for making it look and feel soooo good!

M.D. Stacener from The Acne Cure has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing valuable information to keep you beautiful and healthy. Please visit us at The Acne Cure

Acne Prevention And Treatment

Acne is the most common skin related ailment in the United States, and although it is non-lethal it can have very detrimental psychological effects due to its highly visible nature and the scarring it can cause on the skin. Acne can effect all age groups but it is most prominent in the 12-24 age group.

Acne is most common among teenagers. It is caused when excess oil on the skin (which is ordinarily absorbed or let out of the pores) clogs the pores causing sores which are often called pimples, zits or spots. Teenagers often suffer from hormonal imbalance in the oil producing glands during puberty, this can cause too much oil to be produced leading to acne.

Acne typically occurs on the face, neck, and upper body. It is most commonly found on the face, this is particularly bad since it is the most visible place the acne can occur. Facial acne can cause great embarassment to its sufferers.

It is not understood why some people never develop acne whereas some people suffer chronically from it. As already mentioned hormones have a great role to play in acne formation, in particular the male sex hormone androgen. This hormone is produced in the bodies of boys and girls at puberty and can cause acne to develop. Changes in hormones caused by pregnancy or contraceptive pills can also induce acne.

Hormones are not the only factor present in acne formation. Surpisingly, while not really inheritable, acne can be traced along hereditary lines. So a family history of acne can raise the chance of young people in that family contracting it at some point in their puberty. One good measure you can take to prevent acne is to ensure you keep clean. Uncleanliness can be a factor in acne development (although by no means is it the only factor). Humidity and pollution can lead to acne also by blocking pores.

On the other hand, there are many popular myths and delusions about what causes acne. Acne does not occur as a result of stress, or of eating chocolate and greasy food.

Also, acne is not an infectious disease, i.e. it cannot be transmitted by touch or through a sexual intercourse (like Chlamydia ~ which is also a skin disease but is transmitted sexually).

Acne prevention, if possible at all, is very difficult. What can be done is to take the necessary measures not to make it worse. In most cases, a visit to the dermatologist is mandatory in order to prescribe treatment but still there are remedies that do not involve drugs.

The most important rule is to keep one~s skin clean and not to squeeze the pimples. Squeezing the pimples temporarily removes your enemy from your face but it does not remove the cause for the disease and what is worse ~ if the pimples get infected, more treatment will be needed.

As already mentioned, hygiene is very important for keeping acne under control. When skin is dirty, this places an additional burden on the pores, thus making oil secretion even more difficult. Therefore, it is recommended always to use clean towels (preferably paper ones, since they cannot have been used by somebody else before you) to wipe one~s face. Also, often change your pillowcase, because it is another item that frequently comes into contact with the face.

Using specially designed cleaning lotions can help to remove oil, sweat and acne-producing bacteria from the face, just take care not to scrub your face too hard as this can irritate any pimples on your face and make the acne worse.

David Perzman is the owner of ACNE Life -- lots of information and resources on Acne containing articles and a free newsletter. For all the information you want, go to: http://www.acnelife.com