Resolution 2010 - Preventing pre-mature aging in 9 steps!

Did you know that your skin can tell a lot about how well you take care of yourself? Your skin can show how well hydrated you are, whether or not you are eating healthy and getting the nutrition and vitamins needed, and how much time you spend in the sun. Additionally a dull complexion can indicate a slowing down of the cell regeneration process and sluggish circulation.

This year make your resolution to take care of your skin. Below are simple steps to ward off aging and improve your overall complexion.

1: I will use sunscreen - I can not stress the importance of sunscreen everyday. As a woman over 50 the signs of sun damage are starting to show. I have to resort to home remedies or lightening creams to lighten age spots (brown spots). Had I used a sunscreen when I was younger I am sure that my skin would have far less age spots. I have read that the new recommendation for sunscreen is 30 SPF. So apply your sunscreen daily to avoid age spots later in life. You can read more about age spots/brown spots here.

2: I will not pick at my face - it is always so tempting to pick that blemish or blackhead, however doing so can leave scarring. Deeply embedded blemishes or blackhead should be extracted with the proper extraction tool or the right skin care product. You can get a homemade blackhead remover recipe.

3: I will not go to bed with my makeup on - well I am guilty of this, and when I do I always seem to wake up with a blemish. Leaving your makeup on can clog pores and skin irritation.

4: Eating right - this mean less processed foods and more food with the right fatty acids such as the Omega-3 fatty acids. Processed and fast foods contain so much sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. These ingredients do nothing for your health or your skin. There are some dermatologists that claim fried foods, and sugary snacks can cause skin breakouts.

5: I will give up sweetened beverages and drink more water - those high calorie drinks such as soda just add pounds and do nothing for promoting great skin. Consider herbal teas and water to stay well hydrated. Read about the benefits of green tea.

6 - I will not take long, hot showers - although this is very tempting during the long cold days of winter, hot showers strip the skin of its natural oils leaving your skin dry, flaky and sometimes itchy. Consider a warm and shorter shower, not only will you be eco-friendly, your skin and your water bill will thank you for it. After your shower, pat dry and apply a moisturizer. Also consider a moisturizing shower cream or gel that will moisturize as you clean.

7: I will simplify my skin care routine and stop spending money on miscellaneous beauty products. It is so tempting to buy the newest and greatest skin care product, however it would be best served to understand what your skin care needs are. Visit a dermatologist for a consultation or do enough research and come to understand your skin type and needs.

9: I will not smoke - I know this is a hard one! I am always trying to quit smoking. Smoking does absolutely nothing for your health or your skin.

Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

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

Fun and Easy Skin Care Recipes to eliminate dull, dry skin

Winter weather can play havoc on the skin, especially your face. Dryness seems to be the culprit during the winter months because of the low humidity in the air and lower humidity in your home. Additionally the sebaceous glands produce less oil in cold weather adding insult to injury. We are also tempted to take long hot showers which also dries out the skin by stripping away its natural oils.

So how can we combat dry skin and keep a dewy complexion all winter long? Very easy with these fun, simple, and effective skin care recipes.

Step 1: Cleanse - Start with a gentle cleanser specific for your skin type.

Honey Cleanser
Dab of Castile soap
1 Teaspoon honey
Wet face. Pour a little castile soap into the palm of your hand and add honey. Mix honey and soap into a lather, wash face using gentle circular motions. Castile soap is made from vegetable oil as opposed to animal fat like other soaps. Oils used in castile soap include olive, coconut, almond, hemp, and jojoba.



Step 2: Exfoliate - no need to spend a lot of money - just add a little cornmeal or baking soda to your store bought cleanser or try this recipe.

Simple Exfoliate Recipe
Mix equal parts sugar and virgin olive oil. There is nothing cheaper or easier to make. It's wonderful! The exfoliation will slough off old skin, increase circulation and make your skin receptive to all the benefit's a facial mask has to offer.

Step 3: A fun facial mask - again choose your facial mask according to your skin type. Here is a recipe for normal or combination skin.

Avocado Mask
1/2 ripe avocado
1 teaspoon vegetable oil or olive oil
Mash avocado into a paste and add vegetable oil. Apply to clean skin. Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Step 4: Tone to restore ph balance and remove final traces of your mask

Green Tea Mask
1/2 cup pure spring water, mineral water or distilled water
2 teaspoons green tea leaves (or 1 green tea bag)
Bring water to a boil. Place the tea leaves or tea bag in a glass bowl. Pour the boiling water over the leaves or bag and steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Strain the green tea into a sterilized bottle, and let it cool. Store your toner in the refrigerator for a refreshing toner.

Green tea tightens and calms skin. It also contains a strong antioxidant that fights signs of aging. This toner should be applied before a moisturizer.

Get your ingredients at:









Step 4: Moisturize - hydration is the key to a dewy complexion. Moisturizer locks in the moisture in your skin and protects your skin from free radicals and harsh weather. Also your moisturizer should contain an SPF of at least 15.  I just love this moisturizer, read the reviews here

Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

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

Selecting the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin Type

Everyday our face is bombarded with free radicals (pollution), exposed to UVA and UVB rays, and extreme weather conditions. Applying moisturizer before you start your day not only moisturizes as the name implies but it also protects your skin.

We all know that we need to moisturize and protect our skin everyday, but the hard part is finding the right moisturizer that works for you. There are numerous questions that need to be addressed when selecting your moisturizer. Some of these questions are: Do I need a lotion or a cream? What ingredients should I avoid if I have sensitive skin? My skin is already oily; won't a moisturizer make my skin oilier? With so many questions and so many products to choose from selecting the right moisturizer can be frustrating.

Below are some tips to help you select the right moisturizer for your facial skin type.

Do I need a lotion or a cream? Dry skin is usually best hydrated with a cream rich in emollients. These usually come in the form of creams. For daytime wear your moisturizer should have a SPF of at least 15 even during the winter months. For nighttime go with an emollient rich cream and stay clear of harsh cleansers.  For those with oily skin a light gel or lotion is recommended.

What ingredients should I avoid if I have sensitive skin? For those with sensitive skin, the most common skin irritants are fragrances, dyes, lanolin, and the preservatives parabens and formaldehyde. Consider doing a patch test prior to a full application on the face. For those with sensitive skin even natural ingredients such as aloe, almond oil, etc., can cause allergic reactions or topical skin dermatitis.

My skin is already oily; won't a moisturizer make my skin oilier? A moisturizer protects the skin and well as hydrate, because hydrated skin feels better. Think water content in the skin not oil. Consider a light lotion or gel that is oil free is recommended. Select a product that is water-based and is labeled noncomedogenic. If you are using products to dry up excess oil a moisturizer is needed to relieve dryness and flakiness. The more harsh products you use to dry up excess oil, the more oil your skin will produce. Think gentle when considering a skin treatment; a homemade oatmeal mask will do wonders to absorb oil. Watch the video on how to whip up your oatmeal mask.

As a Shine Beauty Guru, I just did a product review on Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, I just loved the hydration and would recommend this product for dry to normal skin. You can read the Shine Beauty Guru's reviews here.

Unfortunately, I really can not recommend a moisturizer for oily skin as there are two many variables to take into consideration such as: do you suffer from acne, mild or intense breakouts, large pores, etc. However for some great products for oily skin at a reasonable price visit Skin Energizer.

Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

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