Showing posts with label [photos: top-Chanel-bottom-TEEMIX]. Show all posts
Showing posts with label [photos: top-Chanel-bottom-TEEMIX]. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Skinny On Face Serum ... And Skin Care

This beautiful woman has no wrinkles, freckles ... or pores due to air brushing.

If you are lucky and blessed, you get old.  All of us are heading that way, so why not accept it?  You will never be 21 again, not in Hollywood, nor on Main Street. 

But, you can have healthy skin at every age.  With so many products flooding the market, which one do you really need?  According to leading dermatologists, the answer is face serum.  Face cleansers and moisturizers don't matter as much as the serum.  That's because the serum can penetrate deeper layers of skin.

Skin experts say, a face moisturizer has larger molecules than a serum.  The only purpose of a moisturizer is to hydrate the top layer of the skin.  Unlike moisturizers, face serums have tiny molecules and are formulated to deposit moisture and nutrients to deeper layers of the skin.

There are a variety of face serums to address specific skin needs from (1) blocking the loss of collagen and (2) brightening the skin to (3) rebuilding collagen and (4) treating deep winkles.  After you figure out what the target of your skin regimen is, choosing a serum becomes less confusing.

It is not necessary to use both a face serum and a moisturizer, but many people like the feel of the combination.  Always apply a face serum before a moisturizer.  Remember that only the serum penetrates the deeper layers of skin to slow down, or improve the signs of aging.

According to skin doctors, there are a few rules of thumb:
*You can apply antioxidant serums (prevents the breakdown of collagen) or skin brightening serums in the morning, followed by a moisturizer with sun protection.
* It is not necessary to wait for the face serum to dry completely before you apply a moisturizer.
* Apply anti-wrinkle serums with either retinol (over-the-counter) or retinoids (prescription strength) at night, but not during the day.  Sunlight destroys the vitamin A derivative, which speeds cell turnover.  To work, use a product with at least 0.1% retinol packaged in aluminum [to protect it from sunlight and air].  You may also have to transition, i.e. use a few times a week until your skin builds up a tolerance for it.
*A glycolic acid serum (exfoliates and brightens skin) deactivates serums containing vitamin C, retinoid or hydroquinone [a skin whitener] cream.  Be careful when layering products so you don't cancel the benefits of one with another.

Tip: The most expensive skin products are often not the best.  When comparing brands, if the first three ingredients are the same, the products will work exactly the same.

Recommended face serums that are reasonably priced include:

Use Day or Night --
3. Mad Hippie For Your Face Contains Vitamin C + E +Hydaluronic Acid Serum, $28 - Brightens, tightens and smooths skin. Vitamin C serum is also thought to help sunscreen work better.
6. Patricia Wexler M.D. MMPi Skin Regenerating Serum, $65
*The whole line of Olay skin care products are highly rated by several dermatologists and product rating lists.
Use Only at Night --

And a few final thoughts:

When you look closely at mature celebrities whose faces have been treated by the best plastic surgeons and potions money can buy, they may not have wrinkles, but they don't look young either ... only different.  The celeb may not look like other 60 year olds, but neither does he/she look like a 30 year old.  That's because nothing can truly turn back the hands of time.
Clock
Personally, I am as susceptible to clever marketing as the next person.  So two years ago I started using a face serum that claims to hydrate my skin and fight free radicals. I like how it feels, but when comparing my face to areas where I don't apply a serum, like arms, legs, shoulders, belly, etc, I don't see a difference in my skin.  All of my skin looks the same.  I think the best way to preserve your skin from aging is to eat good food and stay out of the sun.  My mother says worries will kill you ... and make you look old.  So if you want to look younger, stop worrying about wrinkles and all the things you can't control and lead a life you enjoy.  A positive, open spirit takes years off your face!
The quote cracks me up! These girls should get out of the sun.

You may also enjoy:
A Stop At Henri Bendel's NARS Counter
Go On A Skin Diet
Protecting Your Skin
Prevent Aging And Cancer With Four Top Performers