Retinol Cream: Can it Make You Look Younger?
Retinol cream is emerging as a great skin care product. While it has often been used to treat acne, many people are also claiming it eliminates the effects of aging. Can retinol cream really make you look younger?
Retinol cream is a form of Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin found in fish oils, liver and other animal products. Manufactured forms are also available and may be known as retinoids, tritonin and retinyl palimitate. It is similar to Retin-A, a well-known brand name of the acid form of retinol, and has been shown to stimulate cell growth. It is also an anti-oxidant, neutralizing free radicals that can lead to cancer.
Many people prefer retinol to other moisturizers because it can pass through the upper layers of skin and help stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, two proteins that contribute to skin flexibility and rigidity. While the body produces these proteins, production lessens as we age, leading to the appearance of lines and wrinkles. By using retinol creams regularly, it is possible to see improvement in as little as three months.
Because it is so effective, people with sensitive skin should be careful when using retinol. Start by using a product with a small amount of retinol and use only a small amount of it, until you see how your skin reacts. Retinol can be drying, resulting in flaky skin. (Pregnant women should not use retinol as it is known to cause birth defects.) Also, apply retinol at night because sunlight can make these creams less effective.
Retinol creams are available over the counter and by prescription. Of course, prescription strength formulas are stronger. No matter which form you use, be sure to follow directions carefully to avoid skin irritation. Look for products that also contain glycolic acid, hydroxyl acid and/or Vitamin C as these are known to make retinol cream more effective. Wear sunscreen whenever you use retinol cream as it has been proven to increase skin sensitivity.
So, how does retinol help you to look younger? It helps in many ways. First, it helps stimulate cell renewal, so you will look young longer. Second, it helps tighten skin, helping to reduce wrinkles and the size of pores. Third, it helps make skin softer.
In addition to acne, wrinkles and fine lines, these products have been shown to help in the treatment of acne scars, dermatitis, rosacea and warts.
People who want to reduce their wrinkles and prevent additional signs of aging can follow several other common-sense healthy steps in addition to using these creams: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoid junk food. Drink at least eight glasses of water each day to flush out toxins. Sleep at least six to eight hours every night and avoid tobacco products and alcohol, both of which can affect the skin.
Consider adding stress relief measures, such as exercise, prayer, meditation and yoga to prevent worry lines and frowns. Always wear a sunscreen and moisturize and exfoliate your skin regularly.
Although retinol creams tend to be more expensive than other skin care products, the cost is worth it because they have proven truly effective in making skin look younger and better.
Organic Skin Care Products: 3 Benefits for You
Choosing to use an organic skin care product is a great step toward helping you look and feel great. Here are three benefits for using each organic skin care product.
1. Better health. Apparently the average woman applies more than 200 chemicals by using skin care products every day. Of these, 60 percent get absorbed into the bloodstream. While most beauty and skin care products are tested for safety, who knows what effects all these chemicals can have down the road, even years from now?
In order to be certified organic, an organic skin care product must be made with ingredients not subject to toxic chemicals. It must have at least 95 percent organic ingredients, so you don’t have to wonder what they are doing to your body.
2. Save money. Because an organic skin care product must be made without toxins, there are many recipes for these products that you can make yourself, using ingredients you may have in your kitchen already. We are all aware of how expensive skin care products are;. Wouldn’t it be great to look fabulous without spending all that money on yet another product to sit in your medicine cabinet? Look up some easy recipes that take care of your problem spots.
In addition, because many of these organic products are made from food items, they can do double duty: Use two cucumber slices on your eyes and put the rest in your lunch salad. Use sour cream and or yogurt to exfoliate and moisturize your skin and use the rest on your baked potato.
3. Confidence. By using an organic skin care product, you can be assured that you know exactly what you are putting on your face each day. If you are environmentally conscious (and who isn’t these days), you can rest easy, know that your daily efforts to look your best haven’t inadvertently endangered animals (via product testing) or the environment (with unnecessary packaging destined for a landfill). You will likely look even better using organic skin care products you will have an additional glow from this knowledge.
Now that you know the three main benefits of organic skin care, you should look into products and recipes that meet your needs. There are many books and websites that offer these easy recipes.
If you choose to buy products rather than make them yourself, look for those products that are certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the particular standard of your country, such as Standards Australia. Many people use the words “organic” and “natural” interchangeably and you need to be aware of what you are putting on your delicate skin.
Also be sure to read product reviews to make sure that the product will be worth the money you will be spending on it. Follow product directions carefully, including storage tips. Organic products will not have preservatives and thus will be subject to spoilage.
By using an organic skin care product, you will be doing the very best for your health, your budget and your appearance.
Skin Care Products: Brighten Your Face, Eliminate Wrinkles
With so many skin care products on the market, it can be very hard to choose which ones are best for you. Which ones will brighten your face and eliminate wrinkles as they claim? Which ones will only make your wallet lighter? Here are some basics you should know.
First to brighten your face, you need to slough away the dead skin layers to let the new skin show through. You can do this in many ways. Exfoliating cleaners stimulate skin cells to help them renew. There are many exfoliating skin cleansers available to suit a variety of skin types.
No matter what your skin type is, apply the right product and gently rub it into your face with a circular motion. Only use these skin care products for a few minutes and no more than once a week to avoid irritation.
Microdermabrasion products provide more extensive exfoliation. They provide deeper cleansing and can help eliminate dark skin patches and make dull skin look brighter and younger.
Face masks are fun skin products that can be used once or twice each week to even out your complexion. Most of them are to be used in 10- to 15-minute sessions to rejuvenate the face. When used properly, skin will definitely look younger and brighter.
In addition to brightening the skin, everyone wants to eliminate wrinkles. So of course there are countless skin care products to help reduce or eliminate them. However many people don’t know the difference between the various over-the-counter products on the market.
Wrinkle creams are intended to protect and tone skin surface to prevent more wrinkles from appearing.
Wrinkle serums, on the other hand, boost the body’s production of collagen and elastin, to make the skin more flexible. While serums are applied on top of the skin, they are designed to sink in to the deeper layers.
Moisturizers and lotions hydrate the skin to prevent dryness and prevent new wrinkles from forming.
It’s easy to see why people get confused about these products, especially when many of these varieties are combined into a single product or a line of products. There are also special formulations for each of these to suit particular needs. A wrinkle cream may contain a sun block for example. Another product may come in a fragrance-free variation. A wrinkle serum may come with a special cleanser made especially for dry or aging skin.
If you have wrinkles, which skin care products should you use? First of all, use a gentle cleanser every day, preferably one with a moisturizer. Never use plain soap on your face as it can dry out your skin too much.
You should also have a daytime moisturizer with a sun block or sunscreen. Use it religiously every day to prevent the formation of new wrinkles.
At night use a wrinkle cream to eliminate the wrinkles you already have.
Which brands of these products are best?
That’s something only you can decide. Read product reviews, ask your friends and family members and consult cosmetic counter beauty experts. Select skin care products in your price range that are enjoyable to use. The best products are the ones you will use so you will get the results you want.
