Skin Care – Skin Care Tips

How anti-wrinkle creams work depends on what they are made with. Although anti-wrinkle creams have one common goal, that is to get rid of wrinkles, they come in different formulations or ingredients, based on which you can tell the good ones from the bad ones. So if you want to know how an anti-wrinkle cream works, start by knowing the ingredients and understanding what they do and what they are for. Some ingredients are desirable, but others are toxic and are likely to cause a range of negative reactions.

Let’s start with the “undesirable ingredients”:

1. Retinol. Well, actually, Retinol can’t be all that bad, that is if you are not allergic to Retinol. A form of Vitamin A, Retinol has properties that are found to fight skin aging. The thing is, it can cause irritation and negative skin reactions, and since lots of people have sensitive skin, Retinol appears to work to a selected few only. I don’t think Retinol makes a good ingredient in anti-wrinkle creams in that case.

1. Parabens. Parabens are chemicals that are supposed to prolong the shelf-life of products. Parabens, though, can trigger allergies and skin aging, which entirely defeats the purpose of coming out with an anti-wrinkle cream.

1. Mineral Oil and Petrolatum. These chemicals clog the pores and even cause skin aging.

1. Triclosan. If your anti-wrinkle cream comes with anti-bacterial properties (some do), watch out for Triclosan. It is a chemical that can interfere with the function of the endocrine and reproductive systems.

1. Anything synthetic or not “natural”. Anything synthetic cannot give you the results you need and deserve. So stay out of products with chemical ingredients.

Now for the good:

1. Coenzyme Q10. CoQ10 is a compound that naturally occurs in every cell of the body. It works as an antioxidant that provides numerous benefits to the heart, skin, and practically every part of the body. But you need your CoQ10 to be sufficient for you to be able to enjoy its benefits. The problem is that as you age, the levels of your CoQ10 diminishes and as a result, so does your production of collagen, and this becomes evident in sagging and wrinkled skin. An anti-wrinkle cream that contains coenzyme Q10 facilitates the production of more collagen to fight skin aging.

1. Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (or AHAs) are natural acids from fruits. They work as exfoliants, stripping the skin of dead skin cells and causing the regeneration of new ones. Not all anti-wrinkle creams contain this ingredient, but I think AHAs are important as they keep the skin clear, smooth, and younger-looking.

1. Vitamins C and E. Vitamin C and Vitamin E are both antioxidants, but Vitamin C is more involved in the healing process of damaged skin, while Vitamin E protects the skin from bacteria and retains moisture.

1. Green Tea. Green Tea is also another powerful antioxidant that gives you protection from both the sun and free radicals.

So essentially when you have these “good” ingredients in your anti-wrinkle cream, fighting aging becomes possible and easier by stimulating the production of collagen, removing dead skin cells and bringing out new skin, healing damaged skin and enabling the skin to repair itself naturally, retaining moisture, and fighting sun damage and free radicals. Avoid the hypes, the fakes, the half-truths. CoQ10, AHA, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Green are the anti-wrinkle ingredients that deliver as they promise. But see to it that they do not come with other chemicals or their value significantly decreases. In the case of AHA, make sure that it is not very concentrated or synthetically formulated.

Makeup really is an art form that can be used to reverse the signs of aging. A perfectly made up canvas can hide a multitude of sins, helping to even out skin tone and create a smooth polished finish. There is nothing is more aging than a full coverage matte finish that settles in creases, accentuating fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Your foundation needs to look as natural as possible, in order for your natural glow to shine through.

Skin prep: Your preparation needs to take as long as your application to boost moisture content and prevent dryness. If you have time use a moisture quenching mask 15 minutes before you apply your base, this will help to rehydrate the skin which is important as we get age as skin starts to lose its natural moisture.

Primer: This is a must have for mature skin types The main ingredient is silicone that works to fill in fine lines and smooth the surface of the skin. it will also help your foundation to glide on effortlessly, leaving your skin looking like silk.

Foundation: Fortunately today there are numerous formulations to choose from. Most mature skin types are dry, so you want to avoid using matte oil free formulas unless your skin is excessively oily, as these bases can have a tendency to look chalky on the skin. The best foundation base is going to be a hydrating liquid formula, which will not only make your skin look refreshed and moisturized, but will also help to plump out any fine lines. Many foundations today also contain light reflecting particles that will prevent your skin looking to flat.

Concealer: It is really important that you choose the right concealer for your particular skin type. Otherwise it will look to bright, making you look like you have been wearing skiing goggles. Look for one that is creamy in texture, that has light reflecting particles and that is one to two shades lighter then your foundation. Apply concealer after your foundation and then blend it in with a brush, that way you use less and you can see what imperfections require coverage.

Blusher: Many women make the mistake of using blusher to make their face look more sculptured, this should be left to your contouring and highlighting techniques. Stay away from bold colors and opt for soft corals, pinks and rose that make the skin look instantly fresher and younger.

Powder: Once you have applied your base use your powder to help set your makeup so that it will last the day. Translucent powders are feathery, light and leave a light luminous shine on the skin. Buy a powder that has light reflecting or diffusing particles that will help to obscure any fine lines and imperfections.