Maybe it's true for some that age is a case of mind over matter if you don't mind it doesn't matter, as Jack Benny's well-known quote goes. Easy for Benny to say, if there's any truth to another famous saying, from 19th-century English poet Mortimer Collins:
"A man is as old as he's feeling, a woman as old as she looks." If it matters to you to look as youthful as you can, healthy skin's the ticket skin's the thing that can either give away your age or belie it.

The skin is a cloak that shields our internal organs from the elements it protects us from bacteria, chemicals and the sun's UV rays while it regulates our body's heat and signals pain to protect us against injury. Three layers make up the skin the top layer called the epidermis is where skin cells and pigment are made; the middle layer called the dermis contains the supportive collagen and the elastin that makes the skin snap back into place; and the cushiony bottom layer called the subcutis consists largely of fat cells, along with some blood vessels and nerve and muscle fibers.

Beyond the biological, the skin plays a second important role the body's thin blanket is the wrap we show to the world, causing some to say that healthy skin is where beauty begins.

To keep your skin looking taut and smooth, take steps to help this outermost organ stand the test of time. Cleansing. Wash your skin the way that feels best choose the products that feel pleasant and wash the number of times that makes your face feel fresh.

Moisturizing. If it ain't dry, don't moisten it. But many skin types get dry and cracked if you skip this step.Sun protection. No two rays about it for all skin types, and at every age, slathering on an SPF 15 or higher is a have-to habit, to protect against the UV rays that cause wrinkles as well as skin cancer.

Eating, and drinking, right. In general, protein is a plus and carbohydrates can be bad. Water has been described as the elusive fountain of youth. Knowing what to eat and why to avoid skin-damaging sugarcan restore life to a dull complexion.

Face Washing Dos and Don'ts

Beauty consultants might recommend a facial treatment trifecta cleanse, tone and moisturize but dermatologists say that comfortable for you cleansing is key, and moisturizing may help some skin types.


Use a gentle, water soluble cleanser to avoid irritating the skin not one that needs to be wiped away with a tissue or washcloth.

Besides the fact that it washes away with water (use tepid, not hot), all you need to know about a cleanser is that it makes your skin feel soft, clean and neither dry nor greasy. Experts' picks for efficient, mild cleansing: Cetaphil, Aveeno, Neutrogena and Eucerin brands.


If you feel you need a toner, think about finding a better-for-you cleanser instead.

A toner's role is to remove oily residue and provide a fresh feeling; it does nothing to firm the skin long-term. With today's rinse-off cleansers, you'll rarely need a toner you might want one, though, if your face has become oily over the course of the day.


For dry-skin sufferers, a moisturizer can soothe and protect the test is whether your skin feels too tight. There are many effective moisturizers try one (sample size available?), then listen to your skin. These brands come recommended: by day, Oil of Olay; while you sleep, Estee Lauder.


To exfoliate or not? Removing dead skin cells can make your skin look less dull, but go easy or you could injure skin that's sensitive. Instructs dermatologist Lisa Donofrio, M.D.: Use a little grapeseed or olive oil, a non-soap cleanser like Burt's Bees or Cetaphil, or a cold cream such as Pond's, and with the rough side of a washcloth make small, gentle circles all over your face.

Can creams turn you into a cover girl? These three ingredients are common in face creams:

• Retinoids. For rejuvenation of photo-damaged skin, these members of the vitamin A family (the best-known being Retin-A) are effective in prescription concentrations, at least in reducing wrinkles, as well as clearing up acne.
• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). Also known as fruit acids, these can give the skin a luster by keeping the skin free of dead cells. Over-the-counter preparations don't make as dramatic a difference as the ones used by dermatologists.
• Antioxidants. The vitamins A, C and E are said to have the ability to protect and possibly repair the skin by fighting destructive molecules called free radicals.

Disclaimer:

The material provided on this website is for information and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical treatment or diagnosis.

You should consult your beauty professional regarding your skin and health and should not take any action with respect to content provided on this site.Information source: http://health.discovery.com