There are literally thousands of different anti-aging creams on the market today. Since women are especially concerned with the effects of age to their skin, most of these anti-aging creams are marketed towards women, but many men have turned to their use as well.

Most of these anti-aging skin products will produce the appearance of reduced wrinkles, which can be noticeable in even just a few weeks of consistent use. However, there aren’t any known anti-aging creams that will actually eliminate wrinkles or otherwise permanently reverse aging effects to your skin.

Anti-aging creams will remove layers of dead skin, and hydrate the lower layers giving them a plumper and fuller look that helps reduced the appearance of wrinkles. The wrinkles are not permanently removed, and will reappear after the discontinued use of the product.

Therefore, you have to keep applying it everyday and will go through a lot of it quite fast. Since the cost of many of these ant-aging creams is not cheap, maintaining the reduced wrinkle effect they offer can become expensive.

You can achieve a somewhat fuller, plumper skin appearance by using less expensive moisturizers. The only scientifically tested and proven anti-aging cream ingredients are vitamin C and E, as well as Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA). These three ingredients are proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but there are likely many other ingredients that will produce similar effects.

Results of any particular product will vary from user to user, and a good strategy would be to try several different brands before settling on one that works best for you.

Anti-aging creams aside, the two most effective things you can do to slow down the appearance of wrinkles is not smoke, and apply sunscreen at the beginning of everyday if you plan on being outside for more than ten minutes. SPF 15 or higher is recommended. As much as you may want a tan, excessive UV exposure is a sure way to bring on wrinkled skin before its time.

It is absolutely certain that beautiful skin cannot last without proper care. The adverse affects of the world we live in have the potential of making skin look old and tired even during the prime of youth. Therefore, it is essential to regularly and thoroughly clean your skin so as to keep it glowing with vitality. Besides cleansing and facials, massaging the skin regularly and properly will greatly reduce the appearance of wrinkles and tighten your skin.

Cleaning your Skin
The first step in caring for your skin externally is to clean it properly. Perspiration, grease, dust, stale make-up, dirt and bacteria all collect on your skin and must be removed completely. Use cleansing cream, milk or lotion or just plain cold cream to clean your skin. Apply the cream on your face and neck and gently massage it in. Rub the cream on your face and neck in circular and upward motion for at least five minutes (duration also depends on the instructions provided with the cream you are using). Remove excessive cream with tissue, damp cotton wool or a small damp towel.

Next, tone your skin using skin freshener (mild), skin tonic (medium strength) or an astringent lotion (strong). Toning is important as it removes any remaining greasiness on your skin after the cleansing process is complete. It closes pores, refines the skin, and if you intend to use make up, it leaves a smooth clean texture which will hold foundation and powder much longer.

Nourishing your skin is an essential part of any beauty routine. Dirt, dust, hot and cold weather, cosmetics and even sunlight all tend to dry out the skin, robbing it of moisture and oil. Skin foods attempt to replenish nourishment to give skin its natural healthiness. It is not necessary to use a thick, heavy skin cream every night. If you do not like a greasy face when going to bed, simply choose a light, easy to absorb moisturizer which will disappear in minutes. Many of the newer liquid moisturizers fall into this category.

Facial
A facial is the quickest way of cleaning, reviving and refining faded skin, leaving the skin light, soft and glowing. A facial also does a thorough job of relaxing jangled nerves so that you emerge not only looking younger but also feeling fresher and more relaxed. A facial once every fortnight will ensure youthful and fresh skin for a long time.

The most luxurious way of getting a facial is to go to a beauty salon and sit back while experts do their job. If you do not have the time or cannot afford the luxury of regular salon treatments, you can give yourself a facial at home. Choose a time when you can be undisturbed and quiet. Get everything ready before you start so that you can relax and enjoy it. Follow the routine below for a quick home-facial:

• Tie your hair away from the face and neck and use a headband to pull hair away you’re your forehead.

• Cleanse your face and neck with cleansing milk and wipe off first with a facial tissue and then with a wet towel.

• Apply cream all over the face and blend it thoroughly – then massage your face and neck in an upward direction.

• Prepare a face-pack suited to your skin type and on a thoroughly clean face, spread a fairly thick layer avoiding the area of the mouth and a large circle round the eyes. Then lie on your back and keep the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes or till dry. Do not talk while the mask is on your face.

• When it is dry, wash your face and neck with cold water, keeping your eyes closed. Dry your skin and apply skin tonic.

• If you have an important date, use skin tonic after the facial, then apply moisturizer and make up.

Massaging your Skin
Massaging your face is essential for youthful looking skin especially for the 40 and above. An effective way to counter wrinkles, massaging is a slow process and its results are obvious only if it is continued for a period of time. It is not a magic potion which can bring a change overnight and one has to be patient with it. However, there is no doubt that massage reduces unattractive fleshiness, tightens facial tissues and muscles and increases blood circulation.

Once you have lines and wrinkles, you can only get rid of them by plastic surgery. Massage and facial exercises can help prevent new lines from forming but cannot remove the old ones already on the face. By toning up the muscles and nourishing them, you can prevent new lines and wrinkles from forming. Remember, whether you have a lumpy, flabby, withered or sallow skin, your face can regain the appearance of youth under the action of your own fingers. Lines and wrinkles usually appear on the forehead, temples, eyes, nose, cheeks, chin and mouth.

Massage is effective only if the skin is clear. Do not forget to remove all traces of make-up otherwise skin pores will be blocked by particles of dirt. All blackheads should be removed. If the skin is oily, then remove oiliness by applying cleansing milk. Fresh lemon juice is also very effective in removing excess oiliness. If skin is dry, use a good moisturizer before massaging it. If the skin is oily, it is advisable to use some astringent lotion. Apply Vitamin E cream before a massage, but the quantity of this cream should be enough only to give sufficient greasiness to the skin so that the hands and fingers move smoothly on the face.

After having cleaned the skin, press it with light but firm fingers, putting a little pressure while applying a good cream. Trained fingers can hold the skin firmly and apply even pressure. With the passage of time, visible defects like wrinkles, flabbiness and dead cells are greatly reduced and a fresh and young look is restored. Massage should start from the neck upwards and end at the forehead or temples because all veins and tissues get an increased blood supply by this process. The skin around the eyes is delicate. So it is advisable to apply cream on this part without pressing it. Cream takes 15 to 20 minutes to get absorbed by the skin, so massage should continue that long. Wipe off extra cream with a cotton wool swab soaked in water (preferably rose water). The best time to massage the face is before going to bed.

Art of Massaging

• Slow Massage – This is the most common method of massage. The secret is to massage slowly and patting/vibrating the skin. Using the fleshy part of your finger tips, press the skin lightly but firmly. The process starts at the base of the neck at a slow speed. The speed increases as the fingers move upwards. Stroking gives rest to the nerves and the vibration is useful in subduing pain that might be caused by massaging.

• Fast Massage – The front half of both the palms are used to massage at speed, taking care to make a circular motion upwards.

• Pressure Massage – This is a method when pressure is applied by finger-tips. This is effective for removing pouches beneath eyes.

• Stroking Massage – Chubby cheeks are stroked with the tips of fingers. If the nose is broad, strokes are applied from the nose to the temples on both sides.

• Pinching Massage – the skin is held, as in pincers, between the thumb and fingers. Such a massage is effective for a double chin and wrinkles on the jaw.

• Friction Massage – The movement requires pressure on the skin while it is being moved over the underlying structures. Fingers or palms are employed in this movement. Hard movements are usually employed on the scalp while light movements are used on the face especially on the neck.

• Piano Playing Movements – This exercise develops facial muscles and makes them firm. It should be done on the entire face, especially the cheek area, with your fingers. The movements must be supple yet brisk.

Making your own Skin Products
Home-made Massage Cream
Heat together four tablespoons of sunflower (or safflower oil) mixed with 4 tablespoons of lanolin. Then slowly add heated rose water to it. Now add a tablespoon of camphor oil to make a really invigorating massage cream. To make this cream lighter mix two tablespoons of petroleum jelly.

Home-made Massage Oil
Mix together half cup each of almond oil and castor oil. Add one teaspoon of camphor oil. Shake well and use.

Anti-wrinkle Cream
Melt together 2 tablespoons lanolin, 2 tablespoons almond oil and 1 tablespoon apricot oil. Then add 3 tablespoons lemon juice. Apricots are very rich in vitamin A.

Anti-wrinkle Lotion
Mix the following ingredients and use as an anti-wrinkle lotion:
2 tablespoons cucumber / mint mixture
4 drops peppermint extract
1 pinch alum powder

A very important thing to take into account is the eye shadow color. Being very careful, smoky eyes are not so difficult to obtain. An advantage of this kind of makeup is that it fits any face type. Start applying the smoky eyes makeup, First, apply a perfect eyeliner and the base eye shadow over the upper lid, blending with a base brush. The next step is to apply a clean color over the eye, from eyelid to brow.

Eye makeup is the fun part of applying cosmetics. Some simple eye makeup tips. Use eye shadows that fit the character or to express mood. Apply the lightest shade you have over the entire eyelid and the medium shade on the lower eyelid. It’s time to apply dark colors for creating depth. Best place for doing that is the outer corner. Next, apply a little eyeliner, from the center of the eye to the corners. Finally, apply mascara. For dark eyes, black or dark brown is recommended. A dark brown eye shadow should be applied from the lid to crease, for a better effect. In the final, apply two layers of black mascara and work a little on your eyebrows for a strong smoky eyes makeup.

Various Types of Eye Makeup

Small eyes-Use a light shade of powder for the center of the lid and a darker shade in the outer edge.

Almond-shaped eyes Use a light shade of powder from your lashes to the brow, a medium shade on your lid, and a darker shade on the outer third of your eyelid.

Round eyes-Use light colored shadow over the entire lid and a darker shade in the crease. Apply eyeliner on both the top and bottom lids, and use mascara on the upper outer lashes.

Wide-set eyes-Use a darker shade in the inner corner, blending up and out. Concentrate eyeliner and mascara on the inner corner of the eye.

Close-set eyes-Use one color, varying from a light to darker shade. Start with the lightest shade one-third away from the inner corner of your eye, blending darker shades up and out. Use eyeliner on the outer half of your eye.

Deep-set eyes-Use eyeliner on both the upper and lower lids, remembering to smudge and soften the line.

Eye Makeup Tips

1. Use Sacha’s eye shadows to reflect mood.

2. Apply the lightest shade over the entire eyelid.

3. Apply the medium shade on the lower eyelid.

4. Apply the darkest shade in the outer corner of the eye to create depth.

5. Apply eyeliner with short strokes, starting form.

6. The center of the eye and working towards the corners.

7. Mascara finishes your makeup.

8. Do not wear bold eye makeup and a bold lipstick at the same time.

9. Try not to be too dramatic but there is a secret seldom revealed.

Follow these helpful tips to greatly improve your makeup experience.

The influences that are within our control are largely environmental such as pollution (eg; smoking) and sun damage. Here are 20 easy ways to reduce wrinkles and slow down the aging process.

1. Stop smoking (It’s #1 for a reason)
2. Always wear sunscreen whether it’s cloudy or sunny and don’t sunbake.
3. Hydrate your skin by drinking about 8 glasses of water a day.
4. Use skin care products that contain antioxidants and AHA’s.
5. Moisturize the skin on your face twice daily.
6. Reduce stress. (Try reading, exercising, meditating) 15 minutes a day is a good start.
7. Reduce alcohol consumption. Over indulging can put enormous strain on your system and will accelerate wrinkles forming.
8. Eat healthily by incorporating plenty of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
9. Sleep at least 8 hours every night.
10. Eat fish three times a week. Great for the skin and general health.
11. Check with your doctor about taking supplements, your diet may be lacking some of the important ones.
12. Use an eye cream for the delicate skin around the eyes nightly.
13. Facial scrubs remove the build up of dead cells that can increase the appearance of wrinkles, try this weekly.
14. Use natural skin care products that will nourish your skin and give it lots of vitamins and minerals to help it stay fresh and healthy.
15. Jojoba oil resembles the skins natural oils. Dab this around the eyes to keep wrinkles at bay.
16. Take vitamin C supplements and use products that contain vitamin C, it will help boost your collagen.
17. Start a good skin care routine in your 20’s. Prevention is easier than the cure.
18. Honey is known worldwide for it’s beneficial abilities. Use a honey mask weekly. Simply apply the honey to your face and neck and leave for 30 minutes then rinse off. This mask will “feed” your skin with nutrients.
19. Aloe Vera and Avocado oil both have the ability to prevent the skin from drying out; they are both used to improve the skins elasticity.
20. A soothing way to help achieve a wrinkle-free face is to lie on your back with your knees elevated by placing a pillow or cushion beneath them.

Try this when you are watching TV or reading.

1. Exercise – Keeping in shape can help fight acne by fighting off negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem and depression. However, some safeguards need to be in place to ward off acne that can result from your workout routines. Watch what you put on your body with regards to clothing, sports gear and equipment.

For example, tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits might look great in the movies and on magazine models, but if you are susceptible to acne problems, avoid these synthetic fabrics that tend to trap in body moisture and heat resulting in a bacteria frenzy. Instead, choose loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends to allow more air to get to your skin.

And when you are finished with your workout, get out of clothing wet from perspiration or water sports. Shower and change into dry, clean clothing. And keep your sports gear and equipment clean, too. Dirty headgear, for instance, can irritate forehead areas prone to acne problems. So toss headbands into the washing machine after workout sessions.

2. Cosmetics – To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that are similar to acne and that can contribute to acne, use products labeled noncomedogenic or oil-free. Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Other additives in coloring that can cause similar reactions are coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes.

More preventative measures include using a lip gloss that promotes a matte finish instead of a high gloss for less pore-clogging; note the more the shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more the pores can clog. Beware that eye creams can contain heavier concentrations of moisturizers than regular creams and lotions, meaning they have greater potential to clog pores in the surrounding facial areas.

3. Diet – Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is recommended for acne preventative care is this: what is best for your body is best for your skin, especially since your skin is the largest organ of your body. So remember to watch your diet and consume healthy vitamins, minerals and other supplements. This will help to prevent and help conquer acne breakout.

4. Hygiene – A healthy skin regimen should include no harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what has washed off, clogging pores in the process. Products with gentle exfoliation ingredients are OK to use; i.e. not scratchy nut or fruit shell pieces that can tear skin. And skip alcohol products when possible; these can take off the top layer of your skin and cause your glands to product more oil, clogging pores in the process.

If you do spot acne-troubled areas, do NOT mess with them. Remember that these are already weeks in the making, and squeezing or picking blemishes can force the infected area to regress back inside, further troubling the region and possibly leave a scar. If necessary, seek help from a dermatologist for alternative treatments.

5. Shaving – Shaving for both genders is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. A word of caution: for areas with infection or high inflammatory activity (redness, sensitive, open acne, sores, etc.), do not shave. Or at the very least, use a shaving cream for sensitive skin!