Monday, August 3, 2009

You Can Look 5 Years Younger In Just 5 Minutes A Day


by Charlotte

If your skin looks dull, it could be because you're not treating it well. Your skin has a job to do, and that is to protect us. You should be returning the favor by protecting your skin. Each and every day, do something special to show your skin that you appreciate the work it does for you. We're not saying you have to spend hours in front of a mirror, pampering your skin with all kinds of expensive potions or gadgets that make outrageous claims of turning the clock back 20 years or more.

If your skin looks dull, it could be because you're not treating it well. Your skin has a job to do, and that is to protect us. You should be returning the favor by protecting your skin. Each and every day, do something special to show your skin that you appreciate the work it does for you. We're not saying you have to spend hours in front of a mirror, pampering your skin with all kinds of expensive potions or gadgets that make outrageous claims of turning the clock back 20 years or more.

By doing 5 basic steps each and every day, your skin will begin to recover its luster and even its youthful glow. Let's see what these 5 steps are.

1. Cleanse the right way.

Cleanse your face in the morning and again in the evening without fail. Use a cleanser that is suited to your skin. A ph-balanced cleanser that is creamy is good for dry skin, while most gels are suited for oily skin. You don't have to create suds to get your skin clean. There are many very good cleansers on the market that do not foam. However, if you like suds go ahead and use a sudsy cleanser, just as long as it suits your skin type. Always cleanse your face with a gentle motion, washing at least 30 seconds. Rinse well with fresh water. You'll want to cleanse twice if you have make-up or a heavy sunscreen on your face.

2. A good toner is important.

Your toner should have ingredients that help build your skin's protective barrier. This barrier creates an antioxidant shield between your skin and those nasty free radicals. Choose a toner with vitamin C and white tea to both calm your skin and give it a youthful lift. For extra hydration, choose a toner with hyaluronic acid. This little wonder holds 1,000 times its weight in water. Your toner should also be ph-balanced. If your cleanser is not ph-balanced, this will help you return your skin to its healthy best after cleansing.

3. Exfoliate routinely.

A gentle, non-abrasive exfoliation is necessary to clear dead skin cells from your skin's surface. Exfoliating helps the skin renewal process and reveals a brighter, clearer complexion. Exfoliating also allows moisturizers to penetrate deeper into your skin. Exfoliation is good, but more is not always better. Be careful not to over-exfoliate or scrub your skin harshly. If you have oily skin, over-exfoliating will cause the oil glands to over-produce oil to compensate for the oil that you have stripped away. Obviously this can cause more clogging and more shine on an already oily face. So, exfoliate often, but gently, and your skin will love you for it.

4. Moisturize properly.

Every skin needs a good moisturizer, whether your skin is dry or oily. That's because every skin needs extra nourishment, the kind of nourishment that comes in your moisturizer. Look for a moisturizer that offers ingredients like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as yeast to help heal and nourish the skin. Choose the moisturizer that best suits your skin type, with special ingredients to combat the effects of pollutants and other damaging elements.

5. Apply sunscreen daily.

Your healthy skin depends on the daily use of sunscreen. The sun causes about 99% of all the signs of aging you can see on your skin. Your face is quite susceptible to sun damage since it's exposed to the sun on a regular basis; walking in and out of buildings or even driving your car puts your skin at risk. If your morning moisturizer does not contain sunscreen, be sure you find a good product to apply on top of your moisturizer. If you plan to be outdoors for an extended period of time, move your SPF up a few notches for optimum protection. The FDA-approved ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the preferred choices.

What else can you do to look and feel years younger?

There's just a few more things you should be doing to look and feel better. Combine the daily skincare regimen listed in this article with healthy eating habits, plenty of water and exercise, and you'll have a great start. Add monthly professional treatments with a Skin Care Specialist to ensure a ravishing, youthful complexion.


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