Picture an apple freshly picked from a tree. How long will it last on your counter top- 5 days, a month, two months? On my counter top, it would last a week before it starts to shrivel up and taste mealy. However, if you were to store that same apple in the crisper drawer of your fridge it would last at least six months and still taste great! The same principle applies to your skin. If you take care of it, it will look and feel younger than if you abuse it and forget to do your daily cleansing and moisturizing. There are several "MUSTS" in skincare. The number one thing you can do to reverse the signs of aging is to protect your skin from sun damage. In addition, a good twice daily facial routine is a must and this includes cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and exfoliating.

It is imperative that you use a broad spectrum sunscreen every day, even if you're indoors all day! You are still driving to work, walking in the parking lot, walking to lunch, picking up your kids, etc. You need at least 15 SPF on every single day. Sun damage begins within 60 seconds!! The Ultra Violet Rays (UVA-aging and UVB- Burning) can and will cause long term damage. These rays will cause a breakdown of collagen and elastin. Collagen and Elastin are partners in supporting the skins' structure-collagen gives the skin it's strength while elastin gives it support or "snap" in the dermis layer of the skin. You can slow down the visible signs of aging by preventing the breakdown of collagen and elastin.

There are several KEY ingredients that should be in your skin care products. These particular ingredients have been shown to aid in slowing down the visible signs of aging. Magnesium Ascorbyl Phospate, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, and Alpha Lipoic Acid have antioxidants to aid in wrinkle prevention. Specifically, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phospate (Vitamin C) can aid in collagen synthesis. Alpha Hydroxy Acid aids in exfoliating the top layers of the epidermis and promotes moisturization. AHA is highly effective in anti-aging formulas and in skin lightening products. Copper peptides has also been shown to increase collagen synthesis. (Baumann) On a side note, Retinyl Palmitate, another antioxidant, is also a key ingredient in anti-aging formulas because it can normalize skin texture and smooth fine lines. Finally, cucumber extract is a wonderful ingredient in skin care products as it can remove impurities, reduce oiliness, and softens the skin.

The following is a basic skincare routine that should be followed twice daily. Great skin will happen with excellent skincare products, a healthy diet, exercise, good sleep habits, a well hydrated body and of course, a good routine that is done daily.

Cleansing. You need to cleanse your face using warm water in the morning and at night to remove excess dirt, grime, make-up and sweat. A good cleanser will clean and hydrate the skin without disturbing the PH balance of the skin.

Toning. After cleansing the skin and patting it dry, you should apply a toner. Toners will in general restore balance to your skin by replacing nutrients to your skin. It will "tone" the skin and prepare it for moisturizer and will help minimize the appearance of pores. You could also use a toner in the middle of the day for a "mini" face wash without water. Leaving you with a wonderful refreshing feeling.

Moisturizing. Most of us will need to moisturize our skin every day, however, some people with oily skin may want to moisturize every other day. If you wash your face and you feel it "dry up" after then you need a moisturizer. A good moisturizer will not have occlusive ingredients such as mineral oil or petroleum. Mineral Oil is an occlusive oil that sits on the top of the skin and does not penetrate the pores. In addition, it can be an irritant to sensitive skin and can cause pores to clog leading to acne.

Exfoliating. Removal of the top most layer of skin. Exfoliating the skin before shaving results in a closer shave and softer skin. When you use an exfoliator your skin can benefit in the removal of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. In general, twice per week is sufficient. Dr. Baumann author of The Skin Type Solution states that between age 30-80, our skin renews itself MUCH slower which leaves a rough surface of cells, rather than a smooth surface. (page 13) I prefer to use exfoliators with walnut shell powder as it can be less irritating than other ingredients found in scrubs for facial use.

REFRENCES

SmartSkincare.com provided a wonderful reference for the ingredients discussed.

Baumann, Leslie, M.D. The Skin Type Solution. Bantam Books, March 2006.