Aging Dry Exfoliate Moisturize Normal Firming
Aging or sun-damaged skin may have any combination of wrinkles, sagging or slack skin around the jowls, chin, cheeks and jawline. It may also have evidence of sun damage (photo damage/hyperpigmentation) in the form of spots, leathery texture and broken capillaries. The skin may also feel tight and dry. If you tend to have dry skin, you will need moisturizing products that nourish, so you will want to find protective and restorative products. Achieving a moisture balance with the right pH is key.
Daily Skin Care Regimen
Begin with a very mild soap, possibly cream based. Since your skin is acidic, the alkaline in soap can easily disturb the delicate pH balance. Also, make sure the soap does not contain harsh chemicals which will also remove the acid mantel and cause further dryness. Choose a toner that soothes and nourishes your skin. It should refresh with a hint of moisture - a low or no alcohol formulation is recommended to prevent over drying the skin.
A daily moisturizing routine is essential to aging skin. After washing skin, pat it dry and begin with a serum to enhance moisture, then apply a day moisturizer. Try to use a day cream with an SPF An evening ritual can include a serum application and a heavier moisturizer. Eye creams and serums are recommended for the delicate area around the eyes that are subject to fine lines and wrinkles.
Weekly Skin Care Routine
Use an extremely mild exfoliator in order to expose fresh skin and allow products to penetrate deeper. This will maximize the effectiveness of your skin care products. A moisture-enhancing mask that you put on and wipe off will moisturize and plump skin that may be dry and dehydrated.
Product Recommendations:
Makeup remover
Cleanser, mild or cream based
Toner (low or no alcohol)
Morning moisturizer with SPF
Evening moisturizer
Eye moisturizer
Serum
Mild exfoliant
Moisture enhancing mask
Key Ingredients for Aging Skin:
Hyalauronic acid, Manuka Honey, Evening Primrose Oil, Borage Oil, Almond Oil, Apricot Oil, Algae Extract, Caffeine, Green Tea, White Tea, Idebenone, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Grape Seed Extract, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, DMAE, Retinol, Aloe Vera, Borage Seed Oil, Ceramide, Cocoa Butter, Evening Primrose Oil, Glycolic Acid, Jojoba Oil, Lactic Acid, Shea Butter, Pycnogenol Cucumber, Copper Peptide, Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Dry skin is identified as skin severely lacking natural oil and moisture. Characteristics include roughness, flakiness, tightness, fine pore redness, pronounced fine lines around the eyes and mouth, and a thin, fragile texture. The skin may also appear flaky, ashy or dull from dead skin build up.
Daily Skin Care Regimen
If you have dry skin, you will need moisturizing products that nourish, so you will want to find protective and restorative products. Achieving a moisture balance with the right pH is key.
Begin with a very mild soap, possibly cream based. Since your skin is acidic, the alkaline in soap can easily disturb the delicate pH balance. Also, make sure that the soap does not contain harsh chemicals which will also remove the acid mantel and cause further dryness. Choose a toner that soothes and nourishes your skin. It should refresh with a hint of moisture—a low or no alcohol formulation is recommended to prevent over drying the skin.
A daily moisturizing routine is essential for dry skin. Begin with a serum to enhance moisture, then apply a day moisturizer. Try to use a day cream with an SPF Your evening ritual can include a serum application and a heavier moisturizer. Eye creams and serums are recommended for the delicate area around the eyes that are subject to fine lines and wrinkles.
Weekly Skin Care Routine
Use an extremely mild exfoliator in order to expose fresh skin and allow products to penetrate deeper. This will maximize the effectiveness of your skin care products. A moisture-enhancing mask that you put on and wipe off will moisturize and plump dry and dehydrated skin.
Product Recommendations:
Makeup remover
Cleanser, mild or cream based
Toner (low or no alcohol)
Morning moisturizer with SPF
Evening moisturizer
Eye moisturizer
Serum
Mild exfoliant
Moisture enhancing mask
Key Ingredients for Dry Skin:
Hyalauronic Acid, Glycerin, Lanolin, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Oil (Of Jojoba, Olive, Apricot Seed, Avocado, Grapeseed Borage, Almond, Evening Primrose), Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Honey, Shea Butter, Argan, Baobab, Manuka Honey, Green Tea (Camilla Sinsnsis), Ceramide, Glycolic Acid, Hydrolized Wheat Protein, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Cucumber
Why Exfoliate?
Exfoliation is a very important yet often overlooked step in the beauty regimen. It is the key to loosen and remove a dead layer of skin cells, while speeding up the skin's process of shedding (which slows with aging or mature skin). Exfoliation also helps to stimulate the blood circulation, brighten the complexion by improving color and texture, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and prevent build-up that can lead to break outs.
Without exfoliation, skin can take on an uneven tone, looking dull, patchy or even ashy. After exfoliation, skin serums and moisturizers are able to penetrate more effectively, allowing the active ingredients to penetrate more successfully and thus leading to better beauty product results.
As a general rule, you will want to exfoliate at least once per week. You can adjust your schedule according to your needs. The texture of the exfoliant may also factor in the frequency of usage. A finer grained exfoliator might be tolerated well and could be used more often if desired. If your skin becomes irritated or flaky, reduce the frequency of exfoliating or switch to one with finer texture.
Sometimes exfoliating ingredients are added to toners or also come in the form of masks. These products provide more options to incorporate exfoliating ingredients into your regimen.
How to Choose an Exfoliator
Choose an appropriate exfoliator for your skin type. Sensitive, fine or aging skin will need a finer abrasive ingredient than other types of skin. The best way to select one is to read the label description to determine the item's abrasiveness or strength. Salt, sugar, plant fiber, nut hulls, jojoba beads, apricot seeds, kernels, oatmeal, and bamboo beads are all common ingredients used in abrasive exfoliators.
Enzymes, retinols, alpha hydroxy acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid and salycilic acid preparations are referred to as chemical exfoliators. They are typically available in varying strengths in the form of a gel or serum. They can also be used once per week, or as desired after cleansing and before moisturizing to attain the same effect. They exfoliate with less irritation, and are especially recommended if your skin is on the sensitive side.
How to Exfoliate
After cleansing and rinsing the face, apply the exfoliator to your wet face. Using your fingers or a soft cloth, scrub using gentle circular motions. You will want to avoid the delicate eye area and scrub gently on the areas bordering it like the cheek bones and temple area outside of the eyes. Rinse your face and softly pat it dry.
Why Moisturize?
Everyone can benefit from using a moisturizer after cleansing. The key is finding the appropriate moisturizer based on your skin type. Moisturizers seal moisture into the skin, so the effect is hydrating while also inhibiting evaporation. Many moisturizers contain active ingredients that deliver vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and skin supporting compounds to provide therapeutic benefits that sooth, protect and ultimately delay the onset of early aging.
Eye creams are optional, but may be desirable for those with dry or aging skin as a welcome addendum to a moisturizer. Some individuals have very delicate eye areas that are more susceptible to wrinkling, dark circles and puffiness. An eye cream can help address these specific concerns with intense moisture and a high concentration of active ingredients.
How to Choose a Moisturizer
The oilier your complexion, the lighter and more liquid your moisturizer should be. Some moisturizers even have oil free ingredients that still serve to moisturize the skin without adding oil. Conversely, dry or aging skin requires a more moisturizing-nourishing preparation. Use a moisturizer labeled with your skin type or specific skin concern. If you live in a particularly harsh climate, consider wearing a more moisturizing face cream during the winter and switch to a lighter formula during warmer months.
Night creams tend to be thicker and more moisturizing than day creams. It is generally recommended to have separate moisturizers simply for the fact that you will want a day cream with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF). This will provide you with added protection from sun damage that ultimately leads to premature aging.
Based on the amount of time you spend outside on any particular day, you might want to wear a moisturizer designed for outdoor use with a significantly higher SPF. You must also factor in how easily your skin burns and take precautions to protect your skin with a sufficient SPF. As a general rule, it is recommended that your day moisturizer should have at least 15-20 SPF, and if you spend more time outdoors, consider a moisturizer with 30+ SPF.
How to Use Moisturizer
After you wash your face and apply toner or a serum (optional), scoop out enough moisturizer to comfortably cover your face and neck area. Using your finger tips, rub it in using upward strokes, making sure to moisturize the neck, décolletage and earlobes. In order to prevent streaks, allow your moisturizer to penetrate before applying foundation.
A normal skin type typically has small to medium pores, a texture that appears smooth and even and has a healthy tone and color.
Daily Skin Care Regimen
The key to maintaining normal skin is to adhere to a regular beauty regimen. Use a cleanser both day and night for normal skin types. A mild toner is recommended to remove remaining traces of soap and dirt. Use a lightweight lotion or cream with an SPF after you wash.
Depending on your age, environment or skin needs, try a serum as a base for your moisturizer. If you live in a cold or particularly arid environment, a serum may be just the right addition to your regimen. Choose a lighter lotion or heavier cream based on your skin's response to each. If your skin feels too greasy after a cream, try a lotion. Conversely, if your skin feels tight or lacks moisture, try a heavier lotion or cream.
Weekly Skin Care Routine:
A mild exfoliator will help remove the top skin cells and allow your face to glow with fresh skin. You can offset any occasional or seasonal oiliness or dryness with a clay or moisturizing mask.
Product Recommendations:
Makeup remover
Cleanser
Toner
Morning moisturizer with SPF
Evening moisturizer
Eye moisturizer (optional)
Serum (optional)
Exfoliator
Clay or moisturizing mask
Key Ingredients for Normal Skin:
Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Jojoba Oil, Lavender, Chamomile, Aloe Vera
Skin Firming
When skin ages, its collagen and elastin are produced more slowly. This causes gradual changes like hyperpigmentation, discoloration, dryness, sagging, wrinkles, crepe-like folds, loss of muscle tone, textural unevenness and loss of elasticity.
The topical application of key skin firming ingredients works synergistically to protect and strengthen the skin. Skin care products should have a combination of naturally occurring active ingredients. They will contain compounds to protect which will likely be in the form of extracts containing antioxidants. Another set of ingredients will firm the skin by penetrating through its seven layers to support the collagen process at a cellular level.
Skin firming creams are usually formulated as night creams. They tend to be richer, thicker and more emollient and should be able to stay on long enough to absorb for maximum benefits. In general, face creams are designed to minimize lines/wrinkles, improve skin density, firm, plump and decrease puffiness (especially in the eye area).
Many manufacturers describe their product as a "cocktail" of ingredients that work together to decrease the effects of aging. Skin firming and anti-aging ingredients often include antioxidants, minerals, seaweed, herb extracts and different kinds of oils like Vitamins A and E. Other ingredients attributed to having a firming effect on the skin include green tea, aloe vera, beech bud extract, alpha lipoic acids, shea butter, hyaluronic acid and the very exotic sounding emu oil. Some firming and anti-aging products also contain light reflecting pigments, such as mica, to enhance the glow and make the skin look radiant.
You can choose the right skin firming creams according to your skin type (oily, combination or dry) and the anti-aging action associated with them.
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