With her penchant for riding in the great outdoors and smoking, it is small wonder that the Duchess needs some help in the department of easing those fine lines from her undeniably weather beaten face.

Though it sounds rather difficult to believe, the evidence is there for all to see, in the photo before and after pictures (taken in 2005 and then this year) seem to speak for themselves, many of the lines seeming to have vanished!

Other celebrities have also benefited from the treatment, including the likes of Danni Minogue and others so that there is a waiting list of those desirous of the treatment.

So is this treatment painful? Not at all, beautician Deborah Mitchell claims, “It keeps skin firm and youthful and is not at all painful, there is just a slight tingle as the blood supply and nutrients flow into the skin tissues.”

For many, the test of beauty starts with having a flawless and blemish free skin and having an uneven skin color requires products or treatments to correct them.

There are actually thousands of skin whitening products and medication to help remove blemishes and whiten skin � there are even skin whitening injections and pills to correct pigmented skin.

But with the many alternatives available, what do you think will be the best product for you?

How skin whitening works?

Depending on the extent of the skin pigmentation you have, one can check out the efficacy of a whitening product. If pigmentation and darkening is only on the skin�s superficial layer, any whitening product will give you great results.

But if you have burned skin and the pigmentation has gone beneath the superficial layers of the skin, you will need a system of approach on skin whitening to get back to your natural skin color.

Primarily, you have to find out what had caused your skin pigmentation and darkening for you to make preventive approach.

If you have been overexposed to the sun, the first step to take in skin whitening system is to use proper sunscreen or sun block each time you go out. Then you have to properly exfoliate the darkened layer of the skin.

You can try readymade products in the market but you can also try making your own at home. All you need are mixtures of granulated sugars and olive oils or almond powder and fresh cream.

These are just some examples of effective exfoliate and scrub that you can make at home. Almond and fresh creams are effective skin whitener as they work to remove damaged and blemished outer skin layer.

After exfoliating, you need to find a special skin whitening product which will help minimize the production of melanin which is what decides for your skin tone.

There are many cosmetic and natural products made for this purpose. The best option for you is to try out natural ingredients such as aloe vera and licorice which are effective skin lighteners.

Take supplements and have a proper diet

To help you with your skin whitening treatment, it is advised that you also get a proper diet and some vitamin supplements. Anti-oxidant in some food helps the body create new blemish free skin.

Consider having more green leafy vegetables in your diet as well as Omega-3 rich food such as fish and sea food or flaxseeds for vegans.

Vitamin C and E are two great antioxidants which help the body generate new skin. There are tropical applications as well as internal supplements of these vitamins that you can take.

There are many natural ingredients of skin whitening that can really help lighten the skin tone. There are those found in food as well as those that you can use as scrubs or masks for you to get glowing whiter skin.

If you are experiencing skin darkening due to certain skin conditions such as age spots, freckles and melasma, natural skin whitening ingredients can help lighten and remove blemishes without any side effects to worry about.

Here are the seven deadly skincare sins:

1. Smoking: It isn’t just that can give you cancers of all sorts; it also gives you Smoker’s Face (a grayish cast to the skin and lines where you purse your mouth) and causes your skin to wrinkle and age prematurely.
2. Alcohol: In excess is very dehydrating, slows down renewal of cells and robs your skin of life. It also creates blotchy unattractive skin and bags under the eyes.
3. Sun Exposure – sun worshippers everywhere, beware 365 days of the year: the sun causes premature aging, spots, and even cancer.
4. Too much cleansing: Too much and frequent exfoliation can cause irritation and inflammation. Too much cleansing and toning will rob the skin of natural sebum.
5. Too much moisturizer: Use these according to your skin type and don’t pile it on. For oilier skins, use lighter lotions and non comodogenic products.
6. Going to bed with make up on: This one is a strict no-no. It clogs pores and causes breakouts. No matter what time you go to bed, remember to remove our make up.
7. Squeezing pimples: Again a no-no since it can cause scarring and even make the infective material in the pimple spread. Inflammation and hard to get rid of bacterial infection occur due to this.

Anti aging creams

However, it is important not take those claims at face value, and to keep in mind these tips for choosing the most effective anti aging cream or skin care solution:

1. Look for a product that uses no fragrances. After all, fragrances are added chemicals that can actually end up irritating the skin, particularly sensitive skin. They can even impact your mood negatively and make you irritable. So look for anti aging products that are 100% fragrance free.
2. The product should be clinically proven to be effective. This does not mean taking the word of a beautifully made up model who is paid to say what she is saying, but actually statistics and numbers of the percentage of improvement found by actual users and their satisfaction with the product.
3. Use a product with active ingredients, if possible up to 50% active ingredients because it is the active ingredients that determine the efficacy of the produce and its potency.

And lastly use the product regularly and as recommended in order to actually see results.

Those kinds of masks usually have immediate effect on your skin. Two of the best cleansing and detoxing masks you can buy are the Lanc’me Pure Focus Self Heating Masque and REN Multi Mineral Detoxifying Facial Mask.

Firming masks are also popular, for they refresh your face contours and fight the wrinkles. The experts are recommending using them once in a week. Very good firming masks are the Ole Hendrickson Firm Action Pore Refining Mask and the Boots Time Delay Firming Face Mask.

In case your skin is dry and sensitive, then you surely need a moisturizing mask. This is actually a universal mask, because it is appropriate for all kind of skins, but for dry skins it can make a miracle. It hydrates your skin and feeds it with more nutrients.

Try to see the effect of the Clarins Thirst Quenching Mask Hydra Care, praised as one of the best moisturizing masks.

The market offers a variety of skin moisturizers to fit the wide range of skin needs as well as budgets. Various skin types also require different types of moisturizers.

Here’s a short yet simple guide to help you figure the right type of skin moisturizers for you when shopping:

1. Normal skin – You should use water-based skin moisturizers that are light and non-greasy. Ingredients of these types of moisturizers often include cyclomethicone and cetyl alcohol.
2. Oily skin – Oily skin has more tendencies to break out and have acne, so you should choose a moisturizer that is labeled noncomedogenic which means it won’t clog your pores more. Choose light types, which should be applied after every washing.
3. Dry skin – As this skin type would need more intensive skin moisturizers to restore their suppleness and moisture, choose skin moisturizers that are oil-based and have propylene glycol ingredients.
4. Mature skin – For older people, their skin tends to be drier so it’s best to choose moisturizers that are oil-based and contain petroleum, alpha hydroxyl, and lactic acid. They help in holding moisture in for much longer to prevent cracked and dry skin.
5. Sensitive skin – You will need to use moisturizer formulas that have been specially designed for dry skin and do not contain any allergens such as dyes and fragrances, as sensitive skin tends to break out and irritate easily.

Choosing the right kinds of skin moisturizers is essential, and if you have questions about what type is best for you, you can consult with a dermatologist.

Also keep in mind when shopping that more expensive types don’t translate to being more effective. Shop and ask around what works best.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to find something that works, especially if you will be using it everyday.

Tips on when to use skin moisturizers

1. Lather it on after every bath or each time you wash your face. If you spend lots of time outdoors, you can choose light and non-greasy formulas that won’t make your skin feel greasy from the heat.

You can also work with 2 formulas; one that you can use indoors and one with added SPF protection for outdoors which provides extra protection against the sun’s harmful rays.

2. You can use more intensive and cream-based skin moisturizers for your hands, feet, elbows and knees since these parts of the body tend to be more cracked and require stronger formulas for keeping them moisturized.

The most important factor is choosing the right formula you are comfortable with. Test out a few products with the suitable formula and one that feels best for your skin. Better yet, ask a dermatologist to help you out.

So when you buy a sun protection look closely at the numbers. However, there is still another factor that you have to consider; that is the type of skin that you have. If you have a fair skin you have more chances of getting sunburn before the person who has a darker skin shade.

This is because they have a higher concentration of the dark pigment that gives color to the skin called melanin.

You may also consider the activity you will have for the day, if you intend to stay outdoors apply a higher SPF.

You must remember also that only 20 minutes of direct sun exposure is allowed, after which you need to let your skin cool off by looking for a shaded area.

You may also use a simple computation in determining the number of hour’s protection you have from the sunscreen you are using. Here’s the formula:

SPF X 10 = the number of minutes protection

Example: If you’re using SPF 30 (30 X 10) you get 300 minutes or 5 hours protection

The first step towards getting a clearer skin is to have a basic skin care regimen that you will keep religiously. Know your skin type whether it is normal, dry, oily or combination skin, then look for the product that will suit your skin type.

You don’t need to buy the most expensive ones, the technique is to buy a small pack so you can try each product until you find the right one for you.

The initial step in skin care is cleansing the face at least twice a day, start by getting enough amount of cleanser and massage onto your face using the ring finger and middle finger only making upward outward stokes avoiding the eye area. Cleanse for at least one minute, and then rinse it thoroughly. Never rub your face, rather pat dry only.

Next step is to exfoliate, this is not done daily rather only once for normal to dry skin and twice for combination to oily skin per week. The technique in choosing a good exfoliant is that you do not see with your naked eye the layer of dead skin being removed, if you do stop using the product it may be too harsh for you.

There are various preparations of exfoliant, choose the most friendly to your skin. After exfoliating, the product usually comes with a solution for replenishing your skin, apply this and let dry.

After exfoliation comes the toner, this is used to close the pores and bring back the moisture that is lost from cleansing and exfoliating. Using a toner can be done daily.

You are now ready to apply the moisturizer to bring extra hydration, some women make a mistake that if they have an oily skin they no longer need the moisturizer.

This is a wrong notion because the skin ages fast if not properly moisturized. The key again is to find the right product to suit your skin. Use your moisturizer twice daily.

Then the last one is the sun protection, this may come together with your moisturizer or foundation.

Use your sun protection in the morning whether you are going out of the house or not. The rule is to look for a higher SPF (Sun Protection Factor), because the higher the SPF the longer the protection for you.

Do these steps consistently and you will notice the change in your skin in about two weeks, provided however, that you are using the correct products for your skin type.

Of course regardless of weather, we usually have issues related to our epidermis that needs to be addressed.

Now that the sun is out and we are ready to bare it all, here are some handy tips to make sure that your skin is ready to shine.

Every 30 days, our skin is in a constant state of renewal. We shed and rejuvenate. And ensuring that our skin is in the constant state of fabulousness it is always great to make sure that exfoliation is a steady part of your skin care regime.

Using various exfoliating treatments, including masks and the ever-trusty loofah gets the job done. Gentle scrubbing is always a good thing. You’ll feel clean and refreshed.

Aromatherapy massage oils get into the top most layers of the skin and goes down to the inner layers. The aroma oils when used in this process helps with the elasticity of your skin and gives it a glowing hue.

Treat yourself to a massage with such oils and you’ll immediately notice how remarkably supple your skin will feel afterwards.

Moisturizer made up lavender, geranium and sandal oil blended with a water-based gel is great for oily skin. Take that same concoction and substitute the water-based gel with jojoba oil for dry skin.

Add just four to five drops of all the oils mentioned in to the base oil (either gel or jojoba) and you are good to go.

Sunspots: Yes, of course when you are out frolicking on the beach (with your SPF—naturally), there is a chance of getting your pigment working on overdrive. The result is getting hyper pigmentation, which can come across as sunspots on your skin.

The sun kissed look is always alluring, however there are natural ways to treat the sunspots, which to some can be more than what was bargained for; limit your sun exposure to the peak hours (usually from 10am to 4pm), and up the SPF level on your sun block.

Rashes: Yes we have all been there, getting annoying rashes on your skin during the summer and heat. Make sure that you keep all of your body parts clean and dry.

Wear loose fitting clothing to help your skin breathe and make sure that wherever your skin folds, (like in between your toes) you have them clean and free of any debris.

Lemon Juice: Not only does drinking a cool glass of lemon juice cools you down but it also is a great way of cooling the inner layers of your skin.

And of course, avoid caffeine and hard drinks, drinking plenty of “fluids” should almost always mean water. Make H2O your best friend.

Now that you have some healthy natural tips to cure the common summer skin problems, don’t be afraid to let it show.

However as it is with life and everything in it, there is a time and place for everything.

And aging before you should be aging is definitely never a good time and never a good place to be in.

So here are some handy tips on how to make sure you best represent the fabulous year that you are living.

Skin is always in! Make sure that you properly exfoliate and wash your face daily. Yes, sleeping with your makeup on (no matter how hot your companion is) is never a good thing.

Investing in a proper deep cleanser is worth the bucks. Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize. Don’t just focus on your face; make sure your neck, legs, arms and hands get lathered up too.

Sun block. Believe or not, nowadays, SPF 15 really is pretty minimal protection. Yes, we fondly reminisce at the time when we would angle the tin foil folder just right to make sure the rays hit your face.

And baby oil anyone? Well thanks to the Ozone, and a lot more common sense, it’s time to make sure that your skin is prepared for your day in the sun. Go for broke.

Make sure that when you are basking in the sun, you are armed with proper SPF (20 or higher). And yes, use a firm (tightly woven) hat, and nothing says glamour (and more common sun sense) than a fabulous pair of shades.

But you have to make sure that your body is well protected. Safe sun is always a good thing. And it’s not just for summer anymore.

Even though the flakes are flying in the middle of winter, that is the time where more need to protect yourself is paramount as logic says, the sun is more reflected in the white goodness that is surrounding you in the streets. So layer it on. 365 days a year.

Sweaty is good. The ol’ adage, “never let ‘em see you sweat’, doesn’t mean that you have to stop sweating all together.

Sweating is essential as it removes the dirt in your skin and again, that’s why Mother Nature graced us with sweat glands to begin with. See? There is a reason for that.

You can be smoking hot, without the smoke. Yes, even though it looked oh so glamorous when Lauren Bacall did it, but it is just so not cool or hot.

Never mind the obvious health issues related to lighting one up, it would also add premature wrinkles to your face. Enough said.

Make H20 your best friend. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! Drinking lots of water daily is crucial. Even though you may have to hit the ladies room a lot more, think of it this way, you are giving yourself and your skin the replenishment it needs.

Now you can get your age back, and relish in the beauty of staying in the present, mentally and physically.