Eliminate Pillowcase Lines in your Face!

After a good night sleep and feeling good and refreshed, the last thing you want is to wake up and find a big crease across your face. The line(s) across your face are quite upsetting, especially if you have to head out the door to work, run errands or whatever you do to start your day.

Usually the big wrinkle disappears in an hour or two but did you know that these types of creases in your face can eventually cause a permanent skin wrinkle. These creases are similar in concept to constant frowning which can give you permanent lines in your forhead, or how squinting all the time can produce those fine lines around the eyes.

Sleep is a time in which our bodies and skin rejuvenate, however as we age that rejuvenation process slows down. During the aging process, collagen breaks down leading to less elasticity, cell regeneration is sluggish, blood circulation slow downs, and usually the skin tends to be more dry. Because of these factors our skin does not bounce back as quickly as it used to, thus pillow crease lines are formed. Furthermore, pillow crease lines can also be a result of laying in the same position for prolong periods thus restricting blood circulation.

Whether you develop pillow crease lines due to aging and loss of elasticity or from lying in the same position for several hours, restricting blood flow, there are several options to eliminate facial pillow case creases. The most obvious is to sleep on your back - yeah right! Another option is to have wrinkle free pillow cases, and is that really an option - who has time to iron pillow cases! The best solution is to invest in silk pillowcases and use a hydrating lotion or cream at night. A night time hydrating lotion will prevent or lessen pillow case creases as it will keep the skin supple. Additionally, whether you are 56 years old or 22 retaining moisture and suppleness in the skin will prevent or lessen the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

For skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy


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Choosing the Right Anti-aging Products

There are so many anti-aging products on the market today that is can be quite overwhelming trying to determine the right product for your specific skin care needs. Additionally, trail and error in selecting your anti-aging product can get expensive and frustrating.

Before you step out on your venture for the right anti-aging product, consider these tips.

First and foremost, know your skin type. Is your skin dry, oily, normal, combination (oily in the T-zone but dry otherwise), and/or sensitive? If you are unsure of your skin type, read my article "How to Determine Your Skin Type". Knowing your skin type is a crucial step in selecting the right anti-aging product.

Secondly, make a list of what your anti-aging cream should do for your complexion. Are you battling dark spots and age spots, or it is it fine lines and wrinkles. Is your complexion troubled with an uneven skin tone? Once you have determined the skin care issues you want to address, select your product accordingly.

For instance, if dark spots or age spots add years to your complexion, look for creams that are rich with D3PA (Dithiolane-3-Pentanoic Acid). D3PA alias Dithiolane-3-Pentanoic Acid claims to be a fast-acting anti-wrinkle treatment, loaded with antioxidants and decreases hyper pigmentation. Additionally, you could try a product with Hydroquinone which lightens the skin in two ways - It inhibits the production of melanin (the pigment responsible for the darkening of skin and actual skin color) and it breaks down the existing excess melanin on the spots that require treatment.

If fine line and wrinkles are a problem consider creams rich in AH3 (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3). AH3 supposedly relaxes facial tension leading to the reduction in facial lines and wrinkles with regular use. This remotely resembles the effect of Botox, which reduces facial tension and movement by paralyzing facial muscles.

Just to name a few, some of the best ingredients in anti-aging products are: alpha hydroxyl acids - (read my article on which alpha hydroxyl acid is right for your skin type). Retinol - which is a Vitamin A based derivatives - Retinol speeds up cell turnover, which means new skin cells come to the surface. Additionally, it has been observed to reduce the size of wrinkles. Look for forms of retinol such as retinal palmitate in wrinkle creams. This ingredient works to give your face an overall youthful glow, however some people do experience sun sensitivity to retinol and should only be used at bedtime and a sunscreen should be applied in the a.m. Vitamins C, E, and K also prove helpful in anti-aging products.

There are many anti-aging creams available that contain artificial ingredients, whether they are better or not compared to natural ingredients is not the scope of this article. However, I do believe that synthetic ingredients in anti-aging products have unknown side effects down the road. Therefore, I am a firm believer of natural products made from botanicals, marine plant extracts, sea salts, and homemade facials with various common kitchen ingredients. When shopping for your anti-aging cream, look for natural ingredients such as aloe Vera, honey, or jojoba oil to name a few, all of these ingredients have nourishing properties. Consider clay masks or seaweed mask for extra nourishment or citrus masks for skin lightening.

Next time you purchase your next anti-aging product be prepared to understand what you are buying and know the side effects of the ingredients, if any. Better yet, check out some great homemade skin care recipes at Complete Skin Care Therapy

Check out these anti-aging products at Skin Energizer, great products and reasonably priced! Made from botanicals and other natural ingredients

For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Simple and Effective Skin Care and Body Care tools

As many people say "having the right tools and materials for the job makes it so much easier" and I am very much inclined to agree with that statement. I am also inclined to believe that there are basic skin care tools that are necessary for great skin care.

How many times have you tried to do a job without the right tool? For instance, removing nail polish with toilet paper instead of a cotton ball or pad makes that particular job more difficult and takes more time and effort than it needs to be.

While searching through the skin care isle at any drugstore, department store or discount store,
there is an overwhelming array of tools to care for your skin. There are facial scrubbers, body
scrubbers and microdermabrasion cloths to name a few. So what tools are really needed for total skin care and body care? Well after much consideration, below are the tools I think are absolute must have items.


A magnified mirror is a must have. The magnification helps me to really see my skin. I can see what pesky hair needs to be plucked which I might otherwise have missed viewing in a regular mirror. I can also evaluate the pores on my skin and adjust my skin care routine as needed. For example, if I see that my face is oilier than usual and blackheads are building up I can adjust my toner and cleanser to address those problems.








Tweezers are next on my list of needed skin care tools. Over the years I have bought several cheap pairs and they were just that, cheap! Invest in a good pair of tweezers. A great pair of tweezers makes plucking the eyebrows and other facial areas so much easier.



Cotton balls or cotton pads to remove eye makeup are a must. Cotton balls or pads are gentle on the delicate skin around the eyes than a washcloth would be. They are also useful for nail polish removing, applying toner, blending makeup, etc. I personally prefer cotton balls but there are some good cotton pads on the market today.


A good manicure/pedicure set will keep your hands and feet beautiful. Pretty nail polish and well manicured fingernails and toes add so much to your overall appearance. If you are not a nail polish person, consider a nail buffer to bring out the shine in your fingernails and toes.






Finally, a good washcloth is my choice for body care. Although all the cute body scrubbers on the market are tempting, a washcloth works fine. It offers just enough exfoliate to slough off dead skin and promote circulation.

For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

20 Years Old - Great skin in your 40's takes good skin care in your 20's

It is inevitable that we all age; skin will lose elasticity and slowly the signs of aging will become apparent with brown spots, and fine lines and wrinkles. However, it is important to note that how you treat your skin in your twenties will forever be apparent later in life. Beginning a preventive maintenance skin care program in your twenties will help maintain a youthful glow well into your 40's.

Our skin ages in two ways: the accumulated physical changes normally associated with the passage of time (chronological aging) and through the accumulated damage caused by exposure to environmental pollutants and UV radiation (accelerated aging). Both of these types of aging can be slowed down with proper skin care and protection.

Your twenties could be considered the age of prevention, when most skin care issues start with lack of care. Forgetting to wash your face before bed can lead to clogged pores, whiteheads and blackheads. Squinting in the sun and not using moisturizers can contribute to fine dry lines around the eyes. Too little sleep, too much alcohol and smoking can dull the complexion. Serious sunburn can now set the stage for age spots, and worse yet set the stage for some form of skin cancer including melanoma

The first step in developing the right skin care program to ward off premature aging is to determine your skin type. Is your skin on the dry side, oily or a combination of both - knowing your skin type will ensure that you have selected the most beneficial skin care products. If you are not sure how to determine your skin type read my article "How to Determine Your Skin Type".

Your beauty regimen should consist of daily cleansing, toning and moisturizing. No matter what skin type you have (dry, oily, or combination) these steps are the key to great skin. For those with dry skin, avoid lathering type cleansers, and toners that are alcohol based. Your moisturizer should be rich in emollients. For those with oily skin, do not over dry the skin with to harsh of skin care products, this only leads the skin to produce more oil to combat that "dry" skin feeling.

Exfoliates and Masks:
A good exfoliate stimulates skin cells, cleans pores and sloughs off dead skin. No matter what skin type, an exfoliate is recommended, and depending on your skin type and the type of exfoliate, they should be used as needed. Additionally, facial masks do wonder to hydrate and nourish the skin.

Sunscreen - Although we hear it over and over again, don't leave home without your sunscreen on. Sunscreen will protect your skin from those age spots that will eventually show up later in life or worse yet development of some form of skin cancer.

On a personal note, look for products that contain natural ingredients such as green tea, jojoba oil, or aloe vera just to name a few. Better yet consider making your own toners, masks, and exfoliates. By taking care of your skin in your twenties you will be rewarded in your 40's by less wrinkles, age spots, and an overall beautiful complexion.


For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy


Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes


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Honey - sooo benefical in skin care products

What’s not to like about honey! It’s great on toast, in tea, and offers so many benefits when used in skin care products.

Honey is not anything new; it has been around for thousands of years! Honey has been and still is used in food products and in medicine. Honey is now emerging into the cosmetics industry which is really not new either. Honey has been used by women in the early days of the Roman Empire as facial masks, honey and milk baths, etc.

Honey is comprised of 98% sugar and 2% enzymes, vitamins and minerals. These vitamins and minerals would include vitamin C, a variety of B vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid, and the mineral potassium. It is also rich in amino acids. This combination of natural ingredients offers a multitude of benefits when used in skin care products.

Properties of Honey:

Natural humectants - which makes it a superb moisturizing ingredient. Honey has the ability to bind moisture to the skin to help it stay hydrated. Additionally, it will smooth out rough, dry and wrinkled skin.

A natural antioxidant - which fights off free radical damage. Antioxidants are used in skin care products to fight free radicals and reverse the signs of aging.

Ant-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties - Honey also possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. These properties are beneficial for those with problems skin such as mild acne. Research has shown honey has shown to manage acne by attacking the bacteria which is causing the outbreaks. Because of its potent antibacterial properties, hospitals in Asia and Europe have used honey infused bandages to help heal infected wounds successfully

Below are some simple skin care recipes to enjoy the many benefits of honey. Although honey tends to be well tolerated by most skin types, a patch test is always recommended.

Easy Cleansing Scrub
Mix honey with ground almonds and scrub on face. Note: if allergic to nuts this would not be recommended. Try cornmeal instead.

Purifying Scrub

Mix 1 tbsp. of honey with 2 tbsp. finely ground almonds and 1/2 tsp. lemon juice. Massage gently onto face and rinse well with warm water. Follow with toner


Firming Facial mask
Whisk a tablespoon of honey together with an egg white, 1 teaspoon of glycerin and about 1/4 cup of flour. Smooth on the face, leave on 15 minutes, and rinse off with warm water.

Moisturizing pack
Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 teaspoons of whole milk, smooth over the face and throat, and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, and finish by splashing with cold water.

Moisturizing lotion
for dry patches such as elbows, mix 1 teaspoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and a 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice, then apply. Wash off after 15 minutes.


For easy exfoliates, facial masks and facial peels you can easily make at home, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Try this dry skin face mask made with wild oats, honey and vitamins!




For skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Understanding Alpha and Beta Hydroxyl Acids in Skin Care

Alpha and Beta hydroxyl acids also known as AHAs and BHAs respectively, are very popular in anti-aging skin care products. These products actually do what they claim to do, which is to reduce the appearance of winkles, even out skin tone, and smooth out your complexion.

Alpha and beta hydroxyl acids are similar to a microdermabrasion or exfoliate treatment. They slough off the top layers of the skin thus promoting new skin cell growth. Additionally they claim to stimulate the production of collagen and elasticity in the skin.

Alpha hydroxyl acids are derived from fruit, milk and sugars. They are represented on skin care labeling as:
Glycolic acid - sugar cane
Lactic acid - milk
Malic acid - apples and pears
Citric acid- oranges and lemons
Tartaric acid - grapes

Alpha hydroxyl acids are water soluble which makes them the choice for sun damaged skin in which skin sensitivity or breakouts are not a problem.

Beta hydroxyl acid is salicylic acid which is derived from aspirin and is oil soluble. Beta hydroxyl acid is best for oily skin that is prone to breakouts, blackheads and whiteheads. The acid is able to penetrate deep into the pores to exfoliate and clean. Furthermore, because Beta-hydroxyl acids are derived from aspirin they retain anti-inflammatory properties.

The level of hydroxyl acids in skin-care products should be at a minimum concentration of 5% to 10% and at a pH of 3 to 4 for it to be effective. Cosmetologists are able to use a solution of 20% to 30% and physicians can use up to a 70% concentration. A concentration of 20% is much like a microdermabrasion treatment where it actually erases fine lines and smoothes out the complexion. Normally this can be achieved in one to three applications and last 3 to 6 months to maintain a smooth complexion. A concentration of 50% to 70% will remove surface scars and fine lines and winkles and last two to five years. However at this concentration you could expect severe redness, flaking, and weeping up to four weeks or so. Remember, the higher the level of concentration the longer the recovery period. Consider an hydroxl acid as a very mild chemical peel at 5% to an intense peel at a 50% concentration or higher.

Hydroxyl acids can do wonders in sloughing off the dead skin and promoting new skin cell growth, although they do have their drawbacks. The major side effects of these acids are skin irritation and sun sensitivity. Skin irritation can be mild to extreme causing redness, burning, itching and possible scarring, especially on dark skin people. While hydroxyl acids can reverse the signs of aging such as brown, age spots and fine lines, you skin is left very susceptible to sun burn and sun sensitivity.

When using hydroxyl acids allow the acid to penetrate the skin then apply a sunscreen that contains UVA and UVB protection if going outdoors.

Sunscreens that are mixed with hydroxyl acids are usually ineffective. Additionally, be wary of buying products that claim to have either alpha or beta hydroxyl acids, for these acids to work they must have a concentration of 5% to 10% and a pH of 3 to 4, however this information is rarely seen on the labels.

Below are a few tips when purchasing an alpha or beta hydroxyl acid:
Do not buy a hydroxyl acid combined with a sunscreen
Consider a hydroxyl acid that includes a moisturizer, or an exfoliate with hydroxyl acid. Only use one skin care product with an hydroxyl acid to avoid skin irritation.
If possible, test the product with a pH test strip, the acid must have at least 3 to 4 pH in order for it to be effective.
Do not purchase cleansers with hydroxyl acids. The hydroxyl acid must have time to penetrate the skin to be effective.

For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy


Check out this great microdermabrasion product at Skin Energizer