Ways in nurturing the skin is considered essential for a person’s total wellness.

Skin aging is a very usual problem a person encounters with the years.

There are two types of aging categorized as intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging. The intrinsic aging is the natural aging process brought by the genes one has inherited.

The extrinsic skin aging is caused by environmental factors like sun exposure and unhealthy lifestyle.

To treat skin aging, one should know the reasons of this problem and find possible means to address this issue.

Extrinsic skin aging is caused by several external factors that go together with the normal aging process that results to premature aging.

Here are 5 top tips to prevent the skin from premature aging.

A person who is exposed in the sun without putting any skin protection is prone to develop skin problems that later contribute to skin aging. Uneven and rough skin, freckles, age spots, loose skin, facial spider veins, blotchy complexion and skin cancer can be traced to serious unprotected sun exposure.

Dermatologists recommend that a person should apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 20 minutes before sun exposure. The higher the SPF it has, the more protection it offers against ultra-violet radiation.

Another prevalent cause is cigarette smoking which initiates biochemical changes in the body accelerating skin aging. People who smoke for several years are found to develop a complexion with unhealthy yellowish hue, a significant sign of skin deterioration. Deeply wrinkled and leathery skin is noticeable among smokers compared to those who are non-smokers.

But these signs can be reduced when a person decides to avoid and even completely stop the habit. Individuals who decide to quit smoking show less facial wrinkling and improved skin tones are becoming visible upon breaking off the cigarette smoking.

Also, a daily intake of retinol which is a fat soluble vitamin can help in preventing rapid skin aging. One of the most usable forms of Vitamin A, retinol is important in vision, normal bone & tooth development, reproduction and maintaining a healthy skin.

Another pointer to delay signs of aging is exfoliation. A regular session of exfoliating helps a person to have a glowing skin as it removes the first layer of dead skin that may cause blackheads, whiteheads and worst, acne. It gently removes the visible fine lines caused by excessive dirt, oil and dead skin cells.

Finally, one is encouraged to invest in antioxidants that help in repairing damages allowing rejuvenation in the damaged areas of the skin. There are many natural skin care products that contain antioxidants which help in fighting free radicals. Fruits and vegetables are also good sources of antioxidants.

Some experts say that young women are not only wasting money on products which they don’t need, but also damaging their skin permanently.

Dr Susan Mayou, consultant dermatologist at London’s Cadogan Clinic, explains that anti aging creams designed for older skins can be heavy for younger skin and causes damage to skin.

Eczema patients who use anti aging creams that are too greasy often suffer from occlusive folliculitis, a skin condition that prevents sweat to escape from clogged pores and causes itchy red bumps.

Source: DailyMail

However with the plethora of cosmetics out there which promise to give you miraculously younger looking skin in a matter of days, it is difficult to understand what to choose and how!

So when choosing an anti aging or anti wrinkle product, look for the following ingredients, which offer, the best chance at efficacy:

Sun Screen

Pick a product with sun screen having a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more. This is one of the basic tips to protect your skin from aging.

The sun’s rays are most responsible for signs of aging on your skin. So pick an anti aging cream which includes an SPF or you can use a sun screen separately.

Retinol

This is a vitamin A compound and an antioxidant, which helps in lessening the harmful effects of free radicals. Retinol, in its various formulations, has been known to stimulate the renewal of skin cells and reduce dark spots.

Hydroxy Acids

You probably see written on many of the anti aging products: AHA’s and BHA’s. These are Alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and poly hydroxy acids which actually help in exfoliating the top layer of skin removing dead cells.

This exfoliation and renewal capacity of AHA fruit acids helps to dissolve the intracellular “glue” that holds the dead cells together on the skin.

Using this on a regular basis gradually enhances the exfoliation of the epidermis and stimulates the production of fresh skin cells to compensate for the missing ones.

Since most creams that use AHAs use a moisturizing base, this means that your skin receives moisture and nourishment, meaning a lighter complexion, fewer pigmentation spots and less marked wrinkles.

If using a product with AHA’s, remember that this exposes the lower layer of skin even more to sun damage, so they should always be used in conjunction with sunscreens.

Coenzyme  Q10

This is said to protect skin against sun damage and regulate energy production in cells.

Copper Peptides

These have been seen to stimulate the production of collagen in the skin and to assist in skin healing.

Kinetin

This is known to smooth wrinkles and remove uneven pigmentation.

Green, Black, Oolong Tea extracts

The Camellia sinensis plant, which is what all tea comes from, is well known for having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, when drunk and also when applied topically.

So remember to look for these active ingredients rather than just reaching for the most expensive jar, thinking if it’s more expensive it must be better, which is a fallacy!

Don’t forget the food triangle as a useful tool when determining what to avoid and the groups which are best, like five a day of fruits and vegetables. This is particularly important if you are trying to fight the effects of aging.

Not everything that helps us can be absorbed through what we consume alone, so a good idea is to take a supplement of which there are many on the market.

The key is to make sure that whatever formula of the various vitamins and other nutrients you choose that it also has anti-oxidants. The latter relates to the regeneration of cells and also maintains balance.

Another ingredient to look out for, in regards older men and women, is alpha hydroxyl acid which will assist in maintaining the correct levels of PH that the body needs.

Most manufacturers of food supplements have a range specifically targeted to the various age groups and people who need more specific extra nutrients for example expectant mothers.

Drug companies do their research very well; indeed they annually spend many millions of dollars in the process, and therefore can be relied upon to know the requirements of each section of the general population.

Known good additions to your daily diet include all the vitamins from A through to E, and not all of these can be absorbed in large enough quantities to make a difference so therefore need to be included as a supplement.[Anti aging skin care]

If you are unsure it might be worthwhile consulting either a dietitian or your doctor who can advise you best the action that need to be taken.

To stay looking younger for longer, certain things need to be stimulated like the reproductive cells that prevent wrinkles and fine lines. Your metabolic rate needs a regular boost as does your immune system, the old adage looking after your body means the skin will look after itself, is pretty true. Bottom line is if you become ill then often it is your skin the first thing to suffer.

It is a fact of life that some foods that are known to provide essential substances don’t taste that great. Dark greens are not to everyone’s liking, an oily fish is not for everyone; this is where the role of the supplements comes in to provide those missing factors in your diet.

There are more of these types of beauty products than anything else on the pharmacy shelves.

In recent years, millions of dollars have been spent on research to find new ingredients and new ways to stop the ravages of time.

One such company is Iconic Labs LLC, who has recently launched a brand new range using a substance called Linefactor. The latter is a patented formula, which includes Indian gooseberry.

The brand is available on-line meaning that is a lot cheaper than others sold only at retail outlets. This proves that where the search for longer young again is concerned women will be happy to look for solution on the internet.

Linefactor is a combination of a growth factor protector scientifically made and super fruit extracts from the Acai and Goji antioxidant.

By using up to the minute technologies with ancient remedies Iconic Labs have come up with six anti aging products.

For example, Indian gooseberry is purported to be the most powerful super fruit oxidants in the world, by combining it with other berries used extensively in China for thousands of years to increase life spans.

The company claims that by using their new skincare items consumers will see a definitive decrease in wrinkles and finer lines. Skin will be renewed, feeling firmer with more elasticity, and seem much more youthful.

The properties of Linefactor mean that a woman will have constant protection created to rejuvenate and take specific care of the very sensitive eye region.

Most of us remember to wear sunscreen when we are going on vacation.

The hard truth is that everyday sun exposure does more skin damage than that week of vacation every year.

A quick look at the skin on your body that never sees the sun compared to the skin of your face, hands, and arms will quickly show you that whether you spend a lot of time outside or are only in the sun when you walk from your home to your car, you are getting sun exposure every day.

Using sunscreen today is more convenient than ever before. Many moisturizers and other make-up products now contain sunscreen. The problem is that when you buy products with sunscreen, you may think you’re covered.

What you must actually consider is how much of your exposed skin is being covered with the sunscreen product. Take make-up for example.

If you have purchased a foundation with an SPF of 15, you may think you are giving your face all the protection it needs.

But are you applying foundation to your neck and throat? To your chest? To your ears? To your eyelid area? Chances are, the answer to those questions is no.

But those areas still need protection from the sun and the premature aging it can cause. A woman’s throat and neck area in particular are quick to show signs of aging.

Your best bet is to buy a sunscreen product that is non-oily, light, and unscented, and apply that completely before you apply your other make-up.

Remember to wear sunscreen on your arms, hands, legs, and any other part of your skin that is exposed, and do so every day. Your skin will thank you by maintaining its youthful appearance.

But, aging process is inevitable and it is quite normal for you to experience the signs of aging like wrinkles as you grow older.

Fortunately, even though it is not possible for you to avoid signs of aging, you can certainly delay the process or appearance of the signs of aging with a few current anti-aging techniques and treatment options.

Facelift is one of the surgical treatments for covering the signs of aging.

Simple recipes for facelift masks

However, if you don’t want the pain and scars of the facelift surgery, there are few simple homemade masks that you can try at your home to maintain your youthful look.

Facelift mask using lemon

Besides giving instant effect of facelift, this particular facelift mask works effective for oily skin.

Ingredients required for preparing lemon mask include juice of fresh lemon, 4 tablespoons of milk powder, one egg (beaten), and one table spoon witch hazel.

Add all the ingredients and mix them thoroughly using a blender. Apply this mixture around the neck, covering throat and face. Allow the mask to settle for about 15-20 minutes.

Don’t throw away the remaining mixture. Combine the leftover mixture with warm water and then use this fusion to remove your face mask with a neat wash cloth.

Vitamin E facelift mask

You’ll certainly notice significant difference in your face after using this particular vitamin E facelift mask.

Ingredients required for this particular facelift mask include capsules of vitamin E, ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, and fresh medium sized banana.

Mash the banana and squeeze the gel out of the vitamin E capsules and add it to the mashed banana. Add whipping cream to the mixture and blend all ingredients evenly.

Apply the mask on the neck, face and also throat for about 15 minutes and thereafter gently wipe it with warm water using a clean wash cloth.

Exercise for facelift

Apart from using masks for facelift, you can try few facial exercises to obtain a youthful look. Here is a simple exercise that you should practice every day.

First, close your mouth and tighten your teeth firmly. By applying force, try to pull down your lip corners towards your chin. Ensure that muscles in your neck are standing out and rigid.

Next, while keeping the upper portion of your face relaxed, push up the muscles in your chin upwards so that the corners of your mouth contract towards centre of your face.

Practice this particular exercise quickly for 8 times and then slowly move to at least 4 times a day.

According to a research published on the International Journal of Dermatology, the Dead Sea salts, and the water’s high mineral and salt concentration definitely improves aging of the skin, including its hydration as well as inflammation.

Amongst the most popular skin care treatments many Israeli’s use is Ahava, which offers different treatments produced with the salts, minerals and mud from the Dead Sea.

Many consumers of beauty skin care products find that Ahava and other Dead Sea skin peels, lotions, bath gels, mud packs and shaving creams have excellent moisturizing and cleansing properties.

These products can now be easily found in skin beauty department stores, although the prices are higher compared to those in Israel.

Some people actually fly to Israel each year, for a vacation and take advantage of the trip to buy their favourite Dead Sea skin care products to take back to the U.S.

Amongst the products there are also special gels for shaving which are a great favourite with men; these unique Dead Sea products offer a wide range of beneficial treatments for all skin types and for both men and women.

Consequently, essential oils are used as main ingredients in many anti-aging products. They are also readily available in small quantities on the market.

Here are a few essential oils commonly found in anti-aging products:

Walnut oil: Walnut oil mainly helps in regenerating new skin and also moisturizes damaged dry skin. It helps you to prevent wrinkles at an early age.

Marula oil: This particular essential oil is rich in antioxidant properties and is an excellent source for treating wrinkles. Penetrating deep into the skin, marula oil also coats the skin wonderfully and increases the smoothness of your skin.

Jojoba oil: Apart from being a powerful pore cleanser, jojoba oil is used in many anti-aging skin products. You can also mix jojoba oil with castor oil as a pore cleanser. A drop of lavender oil in jojoba oil can give you extra cleansing and a very soothing effect.

Anti-aging moisturizer nourishes the skin and gives skin a healthy and youthful look.

As age progresses, skin looses its suppleness due to low hydrate levels in the skin.

Therefore, using anti aging moisturizer regularly can hydrate the skin as well as protect it from free radicals.

People often consider all moisturizers that give more or less the same effects. It was in the past but now the effects of moisturizers have changed according to the type.

Anti aging moisturizers, do much more to your skin than a normal facial moisturizer.

On the other hand, all moisturizers are prepared in almost the same manner. However, some ingredients help imitate the skin’s own moisturizing capabilities.

Therefore, before buying and using, it is essential to gain knowledge about the ingredients of anti aging moisturizers.

Anti-aging moisturizer products and its ingredients

The ingredients of the anti-aging moisturizer are categorized into two forms: humectant agents and occlusive agents. The former enhances the hydration levels in the skin by extracting water from the skin’s underlying layers.

Although urea and lactate are humectant agents of anti-aging moisturizer, they are found naturally in the skin where they effectively help to increase water content in the skin.

The latter builds a protective barrier on the skin’s surface to preserve the moisture in the skin. These agents help to control acne in acne-prone individuals. The most common occlusive ingredients of anti-aging moisturizer are beeswax, petrolatum, paraffin, and cocoa.

Apart from these agents (occlusive and humectant), several other ingredients are also used in anti-aging moisturizers. Emollients, ingredient of moisturizer, fill in gap between the cells on the skin’s surface making the skin look smooth and soft. Emulsifiers are powerful agents that help non-mixable solutions to blend with other ingredients.

Preservatives help to prevent bacteria growth, reducing the possibility of having infection with the use of the product and some fragrances are included in the mixture to beat bad odors and give pleasant aromatic smell when used.

So, before buying an anti aging moisturizer, go through back of the product and check its ingredients properly.

Prepare your own anti aging moisturizer at home

Although there are various expensive anti-aging moisturizers to give a youthful look to your skin, you can prepare your own anti-aging moisturizer.

Take lanolin and beeswax and melt them together using a microwave. Lanolin acts as a protective barrier to preserve skin’s moisturizer whereas beeswax gives good consistency to the moisturizer.

Also, add olive oil to the aloe gel and mix thoroughly. Aloe gel hydrates and plump up the skin where wrinkles are smoothed out and olive oil gives suppleness to the aging skin.

Combine these mixtures together using a rubber spatula and beat it thoroughly until it gets in a smooth consistency. Then add rose water and lavender essential oil to the mixture and beat the mixture continuously until the mixture gets creamy consistency. Rose water helps to clear skin tone and the essential oil adds fragrance to the mixture.

Apply this mixture properly on the skin and massage the skin so that the skin absorbs the moisturizer. Allow it for few minutes and wash off using warm water. Applying this anti-aging moisturizer regularly helps in giving a young look by reducing aging effects.