Easy Skincare Tips

New studies show body skin is important to age perception

(NC)—Is the skin on your body playing second fiddle to your facial skin?  When it comes to skin care, many women prioritize facial skin care needs in order to achieve a visibly beautiful, younger-looking face. This is only natural — people tend to notice our faces before anything else — but it can result in a marked difference between the perceived age of our face and body.

It’s easy to ignore the lesser exposed areas of our body — you might think that’s what clothing is for, but not every occasion calls for pants and a long-sleeved turtle neck. That’s why it’s important to understand the unique role body skin plays in a woman’s overall perceived age.

According to a recent study conducted at Germany’s University of Goettingen, the appearance of skin below the face plays a big role in a person’s perceived age and attractiveness. In fact, when judged independently from the face, your body skin can actually decrease your perceived age up to 10 years.

“Signs of aging on the body have a bigger impact on age perception than we realize and there are multiple signs that contribute to this impact,” says Rolanda Johnson, senior scientist for Olay. “As we age, changes in the connective tissue of our skin can reduce the skin’s strength and elasticity, especially around our neck, décolletage, hands, elbows and knees. It’s important to take care of the body, as much as the face.”

While some aspects of body skin aging can be chalked up to that pesky reality known as genetics, many age factors are within our control. Here are some tips from Olay to help keep your skin from aging prematurely.

1.    Reduce sun exposure – Simply put, damaged skin can often be attributed to frequent exposure to UV rays. Therefore, keep sun exposure to a minimum and use a good quality sunscreen. Wear hats and protective clothing as well.

2.    You are what you eat – A nutritious diet and adequate fluids can help keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

3.   Indulge in moderation – Too much alcohol and caffeine consumption can lead to dehydration, so consider reducing your intake.

4.    Don’t smoke – Among its other heath hazards, smoking is bad for your skin and exposure to cigarette smoke can increase skin wrinkles and dryness

5.    Keep stress at bay – It’s not easy to avoid stress, but over time it can cause frown lines and wrinkles.  Exercise and/or meditation are proven stress relievers.

6.    Beauty rest – It’s easier said than done, but the body requires at least eight hours of sleep.

7.    Moisturize – Use a good moisturizing lotion and/or body wash. A moisturizer performs several important functions, including replacing lost water.

New Olay Total Effects Body Wash offers two products that go beyond cleansing to moisturize and help fight the seven signs of aging all over your body, Olay Total Effects Deep Penetrating Moisture and Exfoliating & Replenish. For more information, visit www.olay.ca.

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To save money these days many are turning back the clock so to speak, to the times of their mother, grandmothers, great grandmothers. Back to the time when skincare began in the kitchen.

Here are 6 do it yourself recipes for natural kitchen you can whip together with ingredients found in most modern kitchens.

Almond Honey Face Masque
Beat the yolk of 4 eggs with 1 cup of honey. Then mix in 1 cup sweet almond oil with 4 ounces blanched and ground almond to make a thick paste. Massage into your skin leave on 30 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.
For the whole body Black Tea Body Masque
1 ¼ cups water
2 black tea bags
1 tablespoon chopped sage leaves
1 tablespoon thyme leaves
½ packet unflavored gelatin
½ teaspoon honey
¼ teaspoon almond extract

½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Bring the water to boil in a saucepan, add the tea bags, sage, thyme. Reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Stir in gelatin, honey and almond & peppermint extracts. Let sit in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours or until firm.  It should have a gelatinous consistency. Apply to the body, smoothing mixture evenly over skin. Double the recipe to do the whole body. It makes about 1 cup. Leave on for 15 minutes then rinse with warm water. After you rinse your body will feel toned, refreshed with a smoother, tighter appearance.

The next recipe is remove dead skin cells from your skin. It’s a scrub with pineapple. Did you know that pineapple is a natural gentle exfoliant and a anti-inflammatory?
Tropical Fruit Masque
½ cup chopped fresh pineapple
1 whole apple(cored and chopped leaving skin on)
¼ cup finely ground almonds
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon lime juice
½ banana
1 teaspoon almond extract
½ packet unflavored gelatin
In a blender, mix all the ingredients except gelatin on medium speed for 20 seconds. Add gelatin and blend for another 20 seconds. Let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes giving the gelatin to set slightly. Apply evenly to the entire face and neck area. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. May be used twice a week as needed. Makes 1 cup

Cucumber Toner
Take 1/2 cucumber and cut it up into rounds after peeling it, place in a bowl with enough lemon or lime juice. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. Remove from bowl and gently rub cucumber all over your face. Be sure to not get it anywhere near your eyes. Leave on for 30 minutes. Wash off with warm water. This treatment will leave your skin tighter, and soft and smooth.

Apricot Milk Bath
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil. Mix together and let it sit for about 1 hour.
Then mix in:

1 teaspoon cider apple vinegar
2 tablespoons witch hazel
and the juice of 3 apricots, put together in a blender with a small carton of unflavored yogurt.
Stir in 2 beaten eggs, and ½ pint of milk and put it all through the blender. Blend a minute or so and add the another ½ pint of milk. Pour into a plastic bottle and keep in the refrigerator till bath time. Add about one cup per bath, this should last you 6 baths.
Nail treatments

To strengthen your nails, soak them daily for 5 minutes in warm almond or olive oil. Discolored? Clean them in lemon juice and scrub them in white vinegar.

Before trying these recipes do a patch test to be sure you do react to any of the ingredients used.

To do a patch test, create the recipe and apply a small amount to the skin on the inside of your arm and wait 24 hours. Always remember you are the one responsible for making the product and you are responsible for one’s safely.
Copyright 2009 Kim Snyder Owner of Overallbeauty.com Your online beauty store!
Carrying a variety of mineral makeup, makeup brushes, hair care products, BB nail polish, all natural skin care products.
Visit Overallbeauty.com for beauty care and beauty tips for today’s sophisticated women.

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Facials are one of the most common types of skincare. Its important to give yourself a facial because your face is always exposed to the environment and everyone sees your face.

A spa facial is more than just cleansing your skin, it softens your skin and with the massage that you receive, it helps with tension as well. A spa facial gives you relief from the tension you feel in your forehead, around your eyes and mouth which can have a relaxing effect on your whole body.

Spa facials generally include no less than five steps:

Cleansing

Exfoliating

Mask

Massage

Moisturizing.

To give yourself a spa style facial at home you need to get together all the ingredients you want to be using. Pick a facial cleanser that is most suited for your skin type. Choose a organic/natural cleanser will treat your skin better than anything you can buy that is mass marketed.

You can create your own exfoliants from certain fruits and other products you may have in your kitchen.

Papaya is a natural exfoliant when its mashed together with a tsp. of honey. It may also irritate your skin so please test first.

To create a tightening mask you will need a clay or clay like product. For a soothing and nourishing mask try dry milk powder, mixed with lemon, honey and oatmeal enough of each to create a paste.

Mashed bananas and avocados have a natural oil making them great for moisturizing masks. For dry skin mash enough ripe avocado to make 2 tsp. and blend it with 1 tsp honey. Spread over all your face avoiding your eye area and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

For exfoliating, moisturizing mask and may prevent acne scarring, try wheat germ! For dry skin you will need:

1 tsp wheat germ

2 tsp honey

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp almond oil enough to create a paste. Gently massage into your face and neck avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 10 minutes then go onto your next step in your spa style facial at home. Extra tip about wheat germ, to help reduce possible scarring caused by severe acne try massaging a few drops of wheat germ oil into your skin after cleansing. Do it every night.

You will want to experiment first to make sure you are not sensitive to any of the ingredients you have in mind to use. Like wraps and scrubs, a facial should be done no more than once a week.

Great skin always has a healthy looking glow that reflects the time and effort you devote to it. Anyone who wants to maintain a healthy looking glow to their skin can benefit by giving yourself a spa style facial at home. And it saves you money as well!  Copyright Kim Snyder Owner Overallbeauty.com The only place to find the finest in organic/natural handcrafted skincare, bath & body products as well as pure mineral eye shadows and blushes. Visit Overallbeauty.com where deals are made in your favor!

Check out these moisturizers that would work great for you when doing your own spa style facial!

Love mud masques? Check out Vintage Body Spa Glacial Mud Masque

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