Vitamin A is a serious player in the wrinkle cream arena . Of course, every product would like you to believe that it will smooth away wrinkles. In fact, many employ deceptive tactics to make you think that they are working. These include adding small pieces of glitter to wrinkle removing creams. The glitter reflects light out of the creases in your skin. This makes it appear that the wrinkles have “disappeared.” Of course, when you wash your face you also wash away your new, youthful skin.

If you are playing the anti-aging game for keeps, then you need to know about vitamin A. Vitamin A is also called retinol. It is used to literally erase wrinkles. This process can take a few days or even a week or two. Do not fear though. You will see a difference.
Retinol causes skin to stay elastic. In addition, it can help your skin keep moisture. It can even, in some cases, be used to “plump” wrinkles so that they are stretched full, tight and smooth.

However, retinol also has some associated complications that you need to be aware of. The biggest is sun sensitivity. Taking vitamin A or using it topically can make you very sensitive to the sun. You could burn just from walking around the block on a sunny day. Of course, if you are worried about fighting wrinkles then you have no business outside without a sunblock on your face anyway!

In addition, retinol can create issues for people with very sensitive skin. Common effects (other than the disappearance of wrinkles) are breakouts and dry skin. However, these are actually often found to be the results of “over-doing” the vitamin A treatments. If you are worried, then test your vitamin A product on the inside of your elbow. Place a small dab on there twice a day for a week. If you do not have any redness or inflammation then you should be just fine. However, watch your skin and pay attention to the way it feels and looks to be sure that you are in good shape.

This brings me to my final “warning.” Follow the directions! Vitamin A is not for people who just want to slather on any old moisturizer and feel good about “protecting” their skin. It is for people who don’t play around when it comes to beauty. Vitamin a can permanently erase wrinkles in many cases, so make sure that you are using it to get the best effects possible.

Here are some excellent retinol products and sunscreens that we use here:

• RoC Retinol Correxxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
• Neutrogena Anti-Cellulite Treatment (I use this on my legs and it is awesome)
• Vanicream Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin SPF 60 (make sure nothing gets through when you are using vitamin A)

Thank you for reading at www.BeautyCtr.com !

Building the best beauty supply for yourself should be a constant focus for you in your daily health and beauty regimen. This does not mean that you need to think about your looks constantly, but it does mean that you should be aware of what types of products your skin needs to look and feel as healthy and youthful as possible. This is important for several reasons, one of the most important being that it can save you a boatload of money.

Many people believe that their health and beauty regimen must suffer if they are implementing their own personal budget cuts. They may decide not to invest in an expensive eye serum or to forgo a new firming lotion in favor of a more generic variety. However, these decisions are often largely unnecessary. Men and women spend millions of dollars a year on health and beauty items like radiance creams, anti-aging lotions and wrinkle repair. More millions go to preventative skin care like sun protection and moisturizers. All of these products play a vital role in skin protection. However, if you use the wrong products at the wrong stage in your life (and the life of your skin) you can actually do more harm than good. In short,

Buying highly effective products that are wrong for your skin can be worse than buying nothing at all.

Often, you would do better to invest in a few really good skincare products and build your beauty supply slowly and methodically over time than to buy wrinkle kits and healing creams that may not meet the actual needs of your skin. The best way to get the best beauty supply for you (and not just the best beauty supply according to a salesperson behind a counter) is to know exactly what you personally need for your skin. Remember, buying the wrong thing can actually create bigger problems, including more sensitive skin, adult acne and psoriasis. With a few quick, easy and free steps, though, you can easily start building the best beauty supply for you.

Here are a few tips that will help you determine what you need for your skin in order to get the best effects possible:

•    Consider your age:

Skin care product manufacturers would like you to think that at about age 25 you need to start investing in wrinkle creams and eye serums. In reality, these products can be too harsh for younger, relatively youthful skin that has, in effect, just started the aging process. If you are in your twenties, then you should be focused on moisturizing and sun protection . As you enter your thirties start thinking about replacing vitamins and minerals that your skin can no longer produce on its own using a replenishing cream – not wrinkle repair cream! Replenishing creams may contain collagen or elastin in addition to vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help your skin fight off aging factors. Unless you have extremely weathered or damaged skin, you should not be investigating wrinkle repair until your forties and beyond. If you cannot stop yourself from peering into the mirror and obsessing over the faint lines above your eyes that no one else can see, invest in a good mineral makeup foundation to even out your complexion, but do not beat up your skin with retinol and other harsh products that still-youthful skin has no need for.

•    Consult an expert:

Most dermatologists will do cheap or free consultations if their practice is largely cosmetic. Take advantage! Ask everything you can about what you should be doing and what will be best for your skin. Then, take that information and look for great online deals for the products that the doctor recommends. Of course, remember that a cosmetic dermatologist is much like an artist and may view your skin as a canvas rather than remembering it is your face. Take every recommendation with a grain of salt, and remember that you asked the dermatologist to tell you what they would do to “fix” you and that you should not get your feelings hurt or take any of their recommendations too seriously or personally. It can be easy to get carried away with cosmetic procedures once you start, so if you opt for surgical cosmetic repairs remember that these things have a limited life and sometimes the results cannot be replicated again later.

•    Always think about your goals:

Once you have determined what you are focused on (protection, prevention, replenishment or repair), keep them in mind when you are shopping for health and beauty products. Advertising can easily convince you that you have problems that you may not in reality possess – particularly when it comes to your physical appearance. When you spot a good deal on a cosmetic or beauty product, make sure that it actually meets your needs. If it does, then act quickly to get a good value on a high-end product that will help you accomplish your youthful skin goals.

Building the best beauty supply is all about patience. With a little forethought you will have the most effective beauty supply of any of your friends in little to no time at all, and your skin will thank you for it!

Thank you for reading at www.BeautyCtr.com !

Anti-oxidant activity is an extremely popular piece of jargon when it comes to health and beauty topics. Every manufacturer claims anti-oxidant activity for their cosmetic products, skin care items and vitamin supplements. But do you really know what anti-oxidant activity does for you? It sounds good, but what are you actually accomplishing with all of this activity. The facts are simple and very exciting. Once you know what you are missing if you have not factored anti-oxidants into your daily routine, you will be eager to get them involved in your health and beauty regimen as quickly as possible.

Here are the facts about anti-oxidant activity:

•    Anti-oxidants fight free radicals
If you have heard of anti-oxidants, then you probably know that anti-oxidants fight free radicals. For example, by using creams or lotions that result in anti-oxidant activity, you are fortifying your skin against free radical attacks. Free radicals are highly charged molecules (this means they have a lot of extra energy) that can cause damage to your skin. Free radicals can also cause interior damage to your body, including inflaming cells, damaging joints and even causing cellular reproduction to spiral out of control, which can result in cancer.

•    The water in the Fountain of Youth definitely had anti-oxidant properties
When you are young, your body has a lot of anti-oxidant activity naturally. This is why younger people’s bodies heal faster and can withstand more stress. However, by the time you are about twenty-five years old, your body does not have a lot of natural anti-oxidant activity left. In fact, if you do not supplement your anti-oxidants you will run out very quickly and start operating at a serious deficit. This can lead to muscle fatigue, headaches, general fatigue and a host of other health problems. On the other hand, supplementing your anti-oxidant supply will help your body continue to behave as if it is younger than it actually is.

•    Anti-oxidants can prevent skin cancer and significantly decrease signs of aging
Because of their ability to fight free radicals from outside and inside your body, topical anti-oxidants are a great addition to any skincare routine. This is because UV rays and other environmental factors that your skin is exposed to every day result in a lot of free radical activity around your skin. These free radicals can weather your skin, make it tear more easily (thereby creating wrinkles) and cause collagen production and elasticity to plummet. Most importantly, these free radicals are a primary cause of skin cancer. Using skin care products that encourage and supplement anti-oxidant activity can dramatically increase your body’s odds of fending off these problematic molecules.

Thank you for reading at www.BeautyCtr.com !

Anti aging products are designed to help your skin fight aging. They are not necessarily repair products, but rather intended to help reduce the impact of aging on your skin before the signs become evident. As a result, you need to take a little bit of time to evaluate your skin before you invest in anti aging products. Buying the right types of products with the right ingredients will help you protect your skin the most effectively. Certain products and ingredients may be highly effective for one skin type, but be totally ineffective for another or even cause breakouts and inflammation.

Follow these steps to determine what anti-aging products will be the best for you:

1.    Evaluate your skin objectively.

Make sure that you have good light and a handheld mirror. Do not be hard on yourself, but do be realistic. Note where your aging signs have already started to appear. Common areas are thin lines in your forehead where you habitually frown or drier skin than you used to have because your skin no longer retains moisture like it used to. Take notes if you like. You need to be sure that you have factored in everything about your skin possible. You also need to note if you have environmental weathering (sun and wind) or if you spend time doing activities that will ultimately result in this type of weathering.

2.    Decide what type of anti aging products you need.

Everyone needs a good daily UV protection product. This will prevent the sun from weathering your skin and protect your skin from drying out. It also will help keep lines and wrinkles from forming due to sun or wind. In addition, you will need to determine what other products will help your skin fight off the signs of aging. A good hydrating formula is critical to every anti-aging routine. Moisturizing creams that contain collagen or retin-A are good if you already have some damage. If you do not, however, these ingredients can actually make your skin break out or become inflamed. If you are in your mid-twenties to early thirties, a simple moisturizer with a good SPF and some serious aloe and other moisturizing agents like rose water or chamomile will probably be just as effective.

3.    Decide if you want to go the all-natural route.

This will be important when you start looking for the best anti aging products for you. All natural anti aging products are made with minerals, vitamins and herbal and botanical ingredients. Other anti-aging products may also contain chemicals to help your skin absorb and retain more moisture or compounds that will encourage your skin to absorb components like collagen that otherwise may not easily permeate skin. If you are focused on repair as well as defense , then you will probably get better results from a product that is a combination of natural and engineered ingredients.

No matter what age you are, you can start an anti-aging product routine that will preserve and protect your skin. You will find that these anti-aging products are far less expensive and more effective than waiting until the damage is done to try to repair wrinkles and other skin damage can ever possibly be.

Chamomile and chamomile flowers are a great beauty aid in addition to being part of a delicious and soothing chamomile tea. If you want to add the soothing, anti-aging properties of chamomile to any of your existing cosmetics, you can do so by using fresh or dried chamomile flowers and a few items that you probably already have in your kitchen to make a chamomile extract that can be added to any existing lotion, hair product or facial crème.

Here are the items that you will need:

• A glass measuring cup
• A tea ball
• Dried or fresh chamomile flowers
• A microwave
• Small airtight container

Start out by microwaving half a cup of water until it is boiling. Put it in the glass measuring cup and microwave it on high for 2 minutes. Generally, this will be long enough to bring the water to a rolling boil. If it is not, then microwave the water for an additional 2 minutes, watching closely to insure that you spot the water when it starts boiling hard.

While you are waiting for the water to boil, fill the tea ball with chamomile flowers. It does not matter whether they are fresh or dried. Fill the ball full. You can crush the flowers if necessary.

Steep the chamomile flowers in the boiling water for at least 20 minutes. The longer you leave them in the water, the stronger your chamomile extract will be. You may wish to leave them in the water for as long as 2 hours. The water will probably become a dark brown as you steep the chamomile in it. You are basically making a very concentrated chamomile tea.

Once the concentrated chamomile is done, you can add it in small amounts to various items. Add about a half teaspoon to a lotion or facial crème so that you do not make the substance too watery. It may change the color and scent of the lotion or crème slightly. Chamomile lotions and facial crèmes are good for sensitive skin. Just as chamomile soothes your nerves when you drink it as a tea, chamomile flower extract will sooth your skin. It also has anti-aging properties and will keep your skin smoother and more hydrated longer.
Chamomile is mostly an aromatherapeutic addition to hair products . However, the soothing scent of chamomile flower extract is a great way to start or end your day when you are bathing or showering. As with the lotion, add only a half teaspoon to a teaspoon to your shampoo and then test it out to see how you like it. Add more only if you want a stronger scent or you are enjoying the way your hair reacts with the flowers.

The chamomile extract should be refrigerated if you do not add it to another product. Every two to four weeks you should make a new batch. If you add it to an existing product, the preservatives should keep it fresh unless you add large volumes to the product. A teaspoon or so of chamomile flower extract will not impact or shorten the life of the pre-existing product.

Bare Mineral Makeup started the mineral makeup revolution several years ago. Since that time, hundreds of makeup manufacturers have tried to cash in on the popularity of Bare Minerals. As a result, the philosophy behind these cosmetics has become somewhat distorted. People often think that all mineral makeup is the same. However, there are many different definitions for the term “mineral makeup.” Many highly discrepant versions are legally acceptable when describing cosmetics. Bare Mineral Makeup adheres to one of the strictest definitions for mineral makeup in existence. This makes this boutique-based cosmetic company one that is in high demand for people who truly value their complexions and their beauty budget dollars.

Here are a few of the things that the Bare Mineral Makeup company views as the facets of this cosmetic line that make it truly exclusive:

•    Bare Minerals is truly hypoallergenic
Not only does it not contain fragrances or oils, but it also does not contain talc. Talc is highly irritating to many people. This is particularly notable, however, because many “mineral makeups” rely on talc to back up their claims of being mineral based.

•    Bare Minerals are good for your skin
This brand of makeup actually can help relieve adult acne and rosacea with continued use over time. This may be largely because of the brand’s hypoallergenic nature since it will not aggravate already-sensitive skin like other foundations and cosmetics will. However, regardless of whether it has healing powers, as many claim, or just gives your body a chance to overcome epidermal issues on its own, Bare Mineral Makeup wearers do report developing clearer skin over time.

•    Bare Minerals has a natural SPF of 15
This cosmetics line has the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of recommendation. SPF 15 is recommended for daily wear. By using Bare Minerals, you do not have to apply sunscreen under your regular makeup. This increases the ease with which you can protect yourself from skin cancer. Also, it increases the number of women likely to do so on a daily basis.

Bare Minerals Makeup is also known as Bare Escentuals makeup . These brands can be found in what the company terms “BE Boutiques” around the country. However, the cosmetics can also be purchased online, often at steep discounts from exclusive department store prices. If you value your skin and want your makeup to actually make your unmade-up look better than ever, then Bare Minerals Makeup is the brand for you.

Hair sun protection is one of the most overlooked forms of sun protection. If you are like most people, you spend most of the year looking forward to summer. However, your hair probably does not. While you may be thinking with anticipation of the warm, sun-kissed glow that your locks pick up each summer, in reality that beach bunny blonde is seriously hard on your hair. Hair that starts out summer with natural, sunny highlights can easily end in stiff, straw-like, dried out disaster if you do not take proper steps to protect your hair while you are enjoying yourself at the pool or the beach.

Here are several tips for effective hair sun protection:

•    Moisturize
Pool chemicals and salt from the ocean are incredibly destructive when it comes to your hair. The best hair sun protection is to constantly moisturize. Just like your skin, your hair needs moisture to resist environmental damage. Use a leave-in conditioner or mix up a weak mixture of your regular conditioner and water and spritz your hair each time you exit the water.

•    Look for Octyl Methyoxycinnamate
Generally long chemical names are not what you want for your hair. However, octyl methoxycinnate is one of the best ways to give serious SPF power to a hair product. Also, products that contain the antioxidant vitamins A, E and C will help defend your hair from free radicals – highly charged molecules that cause the cells that they come into contact with to deteriorate rapidly.
•    Cover Up
Placing physical protection between the sun and your hair is probably the most fool-proof method of hair sun protection. Tie a scarf over your head or throw on a big floppy beach hat for a glamorous and fully protected look. This is most important when the sun is strongest – generally between 10 AM and 3 PM.

•    Use the Right “Do”
A bun or a pony tail actually can be a great way to protect your hair if you are unexpectedly exposed to the sun. Pulling your hair back and working a dollop of regular sunscreen through it will protect it and give you a convenient, “beachy” look.

If you want to avoid damaged locks and major split ends, then you must remember to protect your hair from the sun. Hair sun protection will help your hair survive your fun in the sun and make it to fall intact.

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of skin cancer. In addition, it is also one of the most deadly not because it cannot be treated, but because it is so often overlooked. When diagnosed in a timely fashion, skin cancer can nearly always be resolved without fatality. However, when neglected the skin cancer can easily spread to other areas of the body and prove deadly.

Of course, in the long run preventing skin cancer is certainly the way to go. Wouldn’t it be better to simply avoid the issue entirely rather than spend thousands of dollars on treatments and potentially risk your life? Of course it would. However, many people think that protecting themselves from skin cancer is a time-consuming or costly endeavor. In reality, you can protect yourself from the sun on a daily basis without adding a single second to your day and without making any major budgetary changes.

There are many cosmetic options when it comes to protecting yourself and your skin from sun damage. These cosmetic alternatives contain a variety of SPF variables that will filter out harmful UV rays from the sun. These are probably all items that you already use in your skin care regimen, and by making a simple switch you can protect your entire face and body without having to slather on the sunscreen each day and spend all day smelling like a coconut at work and wishing you were at the beach.

Here are 3 cosmetic items that are probably already a part of your daily routine that you can easily purchase in a sun protection form:

1. SPF Lip Gloss

Many lip glosses are SPF 15 just as part of their nature. Most people think that they are dull and lifeless, but in reality they also come in a variety of designer shades and colors. Also, you can always slick on a layer of SPF lip gloss underneath your favorite shade.

2.    Mineral Makeup Foundation
If you use mineral makeup foundation – and some surveys indicate the majority of women who wear makeup today do – then you almost certainly already have the advantage of totally natural SPF protection thanks to their mineral makeup. Natural minerals like zinc create a translucent screen that not only improves your complexion but also protects it from the dangers of skin cancer in the bargain.

3.    SPF moisturizer
This is not the same thing as a bottle of sunscreen. SPF moisturizers can be used on your entire body. They may double as collagen creams, tanning glow creams or just plain body lotion. They are not scented like sunscreen, but rather are traditional body lotions with and SPF factor added in. Moisturizing once or more a day with these moisturizers will protect you and your skin from the sun all day.

By working SPF sun protection into your daily routine, you can fight skin cancer as part of your daily beauty regimen.

When it comes to preventing sunburn skin cancer, diligence can be the difference between life and death. Your cosmetics should be your primary starting point when it comes to your sun protection. There are many valuable cosmetic components that can literally save your life if you use them daily. They can naturally and effectively protect you from the harmful UVA and UVB rays that bombard your skin every time you step outside.

Next time you are in your bathroom, grab your makeup bag and take a closer look at its contents. If you no longer have all the packaging for your cosmetics, make a list and take it to the store. There you can examine the ingredients on the backs of the packages to make sure that your cosmetic routine is doing everything possible to protect you from the dangers of skin cancer. There are certain ingredients and keywords that will let you know that a beauty product is working to keep you healthy as well as enhance your look. At the very least, your lip gloss , foundation and body moisturizer should contain these key ingredients or provide some form of sun protection.

Here are the secret ingredients to look for if you want to make sure that your cosmetics are going to actively help you prevent sunburn skin cancer:

•    Zinc and Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide and zinc are ingredients in sunscreen. They are also present in mineral makeup . Some mineral makeup foundations actually provide SPF 15 or higher. Check the package to be sure.

•    Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide is present in many mineral makeup foundations. It actually creates a physical barrier in between your skin and the sun. Makeup products with titanium dioxide in them often double as sun protection products.

•    Mica
Much like titanium dioxide, mica flakes are common in mineral makeup. Mica flakes also create a physical barrier between the sun and your skin. In addition, mica is a great way to camouflage wrinkles because it reflects light out of wrinkles, minimizing and hiding them.

Of course, in addition to reading the ingredients lists you need to get a verified SPF number on every product if it is available. Work with your dermatologist to determine if you need more than cosmetic sun protection. In the end, you will best avoid sunburn skin cancer by always incorporating sun defense into your beauty routine. This way, you protect yourself every day as part of your daily routine.