Great Looking Skin at Any Age!

As we get older our skin's anatomy and physiology change and we should take steps to adjust our skin care regime.  Skin care is important at every age from our 20's to our 40's and beyond.  The key is to understand your skin and how natural skin care works to help us achieve our goals.

We all must invest time and care with our skin if we want it to stay younger looking.  An important notes I must share is that even the most expensive skin care products can turn back time that why is it important to start out right and adjust as you age.  There are steps that we can all take to make our skin look healthy and vibrant and stay wrinkle free for longer.

Understanding the basic functions of our skin is an important step in looking after it properly.  You may not know it but our skin is actually our body's largest organ and comprises three major layers.  Lets talk about each layer of skin.  We will start with the Epidermis:

This layer has five sub-layers; the outer layers consists of mainly dead skin cells which are continuously shed and replaced by cells beneath.  The epidermis is also responsible for 'water proofing' your skin, protecting your skin from potential invasion of microbes and generate new skin cells which move from the deep layer of the epidermis to the outer layer, where they are eventually shed.

The Dermis:  Is the middle layer of the skin and is composed of connective tissue containing collagen and elastin.  The dermis is thick in the palms and soles and very thin in the eyelids.  It contains blood vessels, nerves, glands and hair follicles.

The Subcutaneous Layer:  This layer consists of areolar and adipose tissue.  Fibers from the dermis extend down into the subcutaneous layer and anchor the skin to it.  The subcutaneous layer, in turn, attaches to the underlying tissues and organs.

There are many factors that affect of fast our skin ages.  Some of these factors we can control and some we cannot.  Factors we cannot change are genetic factors but there are a lot of factors we can change like exposure to sunlight, smoking, and diet.  In general, paler skin tends to wrinkle faster than darker skins, which are protected by increased amounts of pigment and lipids.


Another factor we can help but not change is our age.  We know a little about our skin but what changes as we age is how are skin functions with age.  Our skin functions very differently at 20 compared to when we are 60.    So it makes sense we should treat our skin differently as we age.  So lets talk a little about how we should treat our skin over the years.

Our 20's:  Our 20's typically show us the best in our skin.  Most say goodbye to acne and welcome a more radiant, youthful glow and the epidermis is well toned.  Even though our skin looks good in our 20's it is not a good idea to be complacent in our skin care regimen.  In our 20's skin cell renewal drops by up to 28%, dead skin cells are not as easily shed and external factors are starting to have a greater impact, leaving your skin slightly duller.

It is very important to protect our skin from the sun.  Up to 80% of all aging can be directly related to the amount of sun exposure we allow.  Some things we can do to help decrease our exposure to the sunlight is to avoid the mid-day sun, or cover up your skin if you need to be out in the sun.  Use a good sunscreen to keep UVA rays from penetrating our skin to damage collagen fibers and elastin coils in our skin.

another key thing we can do is avoid smoking or quite smoking.  Smoking inhibits oxygen from getting to the outer layer of your skin and has a premature aging effect.  It can also cause fine lines around the mouth.

Our 30's:  By the time we get to our 30's our skin cell turnover has slowed even more.  Environmental damage form pollution, smoke and sunlight are starting to take their toll on the dermis, causing collagen fibers to loosen so that the skin starts to loose it tone and develop fine lines and wrinkles.  You may notice those laugh lines don't bounce back as fast as they once did.

Hopefully, by this point you have developed a daily skin care regime that involves exfoliating (2-3 times per week), cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection.  It is also important to make sure your diet is well balanced and includes fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, fish and other lean proteins which are high in antioxidants such as Vitamin A, B, C and E.  Antioxidants fight free radicals in your body and help the skin repair itself by producing the enzymes that stabilize collagen production, and keep skin moist and healthy.  You can help this process by including a moisturizer that includes antioxidants in the ingredients.

Alcohol should be consumed in moderation because it can deprive your skin of vital nutrients and may cause your facial blood vessels to become dilated leading to permanent, red spider like veins on your cheeks and in men if often appears across the nose.

SLEEP AND HYDRATION are the keywords we should remember in our 30's.

Our 40's:  In your 40s, collagen fibers decrease in number, stiffen, break apart, and form into a shapeless, matted tangle. Elastic fibers lose some of their elasticity, thicken into clumps, and fray. The result is the skin forms crevices and furrows known as lines and wrinkles. In addition, loss of fat in the subcutaneous layer leaves your skin more fragile, whereas the dermis will continue to lose its elasticity. A rich nourishing night crème, should become a vital part of your skin care regime. 

During this time the outer layer of the epidermis starts to grow even thicker, as dead skin cells hang around for longer. If you are not already using an exfoliant regularly, now is a good time to get into the habit of exfoliating your skin regularly using a facial scrub 2-3 times a week. You could also use a cream containing Rose oil, Jojoba oil or similar, as these contain natural AHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids) and to help remove dead skin cells. 


As deeper wrinkles start to form, you may wish to use a complete skin care system, which systematically helps you to nourish and moisturize your skin on all levels. Choose natural skin care products for your daily skin care regime, as you do not want to introduce unnecessary toxins into your system by using products full of unpronounceable chemicals. 

Age 50 and above:   As we reach our 50s and beyond, the hair and nails grow more slowly. Langerhans cells (involved in the immune response, dwindle in number, thus decreasing the immune responsiveness of older skin. Decreased size of sebaceous (oil) glands leads to dry and broken skin that is more susceptible to infection.

After the menopause, decreased estrogen levels mean that skin will lose its plumpness and tone, and it may be left dry, itchy and more sensitive to allergens. 

At this stage in your life it is important to take that extra care of your skin’s health. Mature skin is more fragile, prone to injury and infection and bruises easily. As if this was not bad enough, it also takes longer to heal. Taking care of your skin will reduce the aging effect; keep it healthier as well as more resistant to injury and infections.

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, 50's and beyond.

Happy skin care.  Please let us know if you have questions or article suggests.  Visit us at www.morgans-boutique.com.

Elizabeth

Natural and Organic Skin Care - Are they really better for your skin?

In this day and age we are becoming more and more obsessed with organic products. Organic food is all the rage, and now organic beauty products are also taking a center stage. So just how good are these products for us? Are they really that much different from ordinary products?

Organic skin care is the safest and ideal products for your family's skin care routine.  Infants and children have exceptionally sensitive skin and taking care in what you put on their skin can help avoid a number of problems down the road.  Many ordinary products contain chemicals such as alcohol and lead.  Alcohol is extremely drying on the skin and it can cause many problems for those with sensitive skin.  So it is easy to see why natural or organic products are becoming very popular.  So you ask what are the benefits of natural and organic products?

Organic products are made from natural ingredients and are often really good for those who need a product that is gentle enough for sensitive skin.  Along these lines they are also good for children and those who are trying to stay away from additives, dyes, preservatives and fragrances.  However, it is important to remember that just because a product uses natural and organic ingredients you should still read the label to make sure you are not allergic to one of the ingredients.  

Speaking of labels: What you see is what you get and it is good to know what you are putting on your skin.  
Although organic products are generally more expensive than ordinary ones, as they mainly use natural ingredients, it is possible to find great natural and organic products at affordable products.  You can even create some of your own products.  

It is important to remember that there is no regulation over the term "organic" in the skin care industry.  Manufacturers can make claims that their products are natural or organic without certification.  To be considered an organic product ingredients must be 70% or over organic.  Whenever you see that a product boasts itself as organic then you should check the ingredient list to confirm the proclamation.

Get familiar with different ingredients used in the different products so you can determine whether the product is natural or made up of man made chemicals.  Do your research and follow your intuitions to determine which product is right for you.  Don't be afraid to ask the questions or ask for samples.

Elizabeth
Morgan's Boutique

What's the Difference in all the Acne products on the Market Today?

There are basically 3 different categories of acne products.  We will talk today about these categories.

The first category is preventative or general care products.  These products are what most people start with and usually do a good job in prevention and/or clearing acne.

The general acne skin care products are the ones that are used as acne-prevention measure. These include cleansers, make-up removers and similar products that help prevent acne. In the real sense, these acne skin care products are just those that should anyway be part of your daily routine. However, some of these are more oriented to act like an acne skin care product. These acne skin care products act against the causes of acne by limiting the production of sebum/oil and preventing clogging of skin pores. They do this by preventing the oil from getting trapped in pores and then hamper the growth of bacteria that lead to acne. The general acne skin care products also include exfoliation products like skin peels. These work towards removing dead skin cells, hence reducing the possibility of pore-clogging and bacteria development.

The second category are specialized acne care products.  These products are also over the counter but are more specialized to the task of clearing acne from the skin. These include products like vanishing creams which extract the extra oil from the skin. Most of these acne skin care products are based on benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of bacteria (and hence acne). You should start with a product that has lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5%) and see how your skin responds to it. Alpha-hydroxy-acid based moisturizers are also popular as acne skin care products. You might have to try a few, before you zero-in on the acne skin care product that is effective for you. If nothing seems to work, you should contact a dermatologist. 

This leads us to the last category of products: Prescription acne products.  These products require a prescription form a physician or dermatologist.  This can include ointments that can be applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics. Dermatologist could also perform a minor surgical procedure to remove the contents of pustules(enlarged/inflamed zit). However, never try to squeeze or do this by yourself, it can lead to permanent damage of your skin. Your doctor could also prescribe a hormone-based treatment (since hormonal changes are also known to cause acne). Such acne skin care products are known to be very effective in some cases. 

As you can see there are many products on the market today. I suggest you start with the first category of products and move up the line as needed.  Always consult a physician if you think your acne is worse than a mild case.

Next issue we will talk more about skin care products in general.

Please let us know if you have topics of interest or have questions.

Elizabeth
www.morgans-boutique.com
 

Part 2 - Ingredient Glossary for Natural and Organic Products

Today we will talk about more ingredients that are often found in natural and organic skin care products.  See Part 1 from last week. 

Camomile Essential Oil (German) & Extract: From camomile flowers and containing azulene (see Azulene), this is a natural skin healer, calmer, and anti-inflammatory agent.  Also used to brighten highlights in hair and soothe scalp.

Cocoa Butter:  A rich emollient from the bean of the cocoa plan.  Forms an effective moisture barrier to protect an soften dry, chapped and calloused skin.  Also traditionally used as a massage balm to guard against stretch marks

Coconut Oil:  From coconut kernels, this emollient protects skin from dryness; locks in moisture to keep skin hydrated.

Collagen:  A protein derived from plants or found in connective tissue.  Collagen is a highly effective skin moisturizer, working to hold water into the skin and therefore preventing dryness and increasing elasticity and suppleness.  Repairs damaged hair by building strength to hair shaft.

Colloidal Oatmeal:  A smooth, very fine oatmeal that is proven to soothe chapped, irritated and itchy skin.

Comfrey Extract:  From the roots of the comfrey plant and containing allantoin, the active ingredient that is naturally soothing, healing and anti-bacterial.

Cornflower extract:  This french meadow blossom is traditionally used to calm and beautify skin.

Cypress Essential Oil:  An excellent aromatherapeutic skin toner.

Dead Sea Salts:  These legendary mineral-rich salts from the Dead Sea work wonders to purify, tone and hydrate skin, calm inflammation and soothe tired muscles.

Elder Flower Extract:  A hardworking skin moisturizer from the elder tree.

Eucalyptus Oil:  Extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, this oil is cooling, uplifting, and antiseptic.

Evening Primrose Oil:  a fountain of youth moisturizer, containing gamma-linoleic acid, rejuvenates and renews skin.

Geranium Essential Oil:  Cleanses skin, tones, calms inflammations and offers a balancing aromatherapeutic effect.

Ginseng Extract:  From the ancient Asian root; a natural skin revitalizer and toner.

Glycerin:  Derived from vegetable fatty acids; an excellent humectant that attracts moisture into the skin to soften, condition, hydrate and moisturize.

Glycolic Acid:  A very effective alpha hydroxy moisturizer from sugar cane extract.  Acts to dissolve and gently exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving a renewed smoothness, glowing complexion and fresh tone.

Grapefruit Seed Extract:  A natural preservative that works most effectively in conjunction with other preservatives.

Green Tea Extract:  Green tea, containing poly phenols, highly effective anti-oxidants that naturally slow skin's aging process and fight harmful environmental effects on the skin; is also proven to reduce inflammation and soothe skin.

Honey:  From the nectar of flowers;  this vitamin-rich nourisher is an excellent humectant to hydrate skin.

Hybrid Safflower Oil:  From the seeds of the safflower plant, this high-oleic oil is emollient-rich, holds essential moisture into skin, and is exceptionally shelf stable.

Hydrolyzed Elastin:  Protein found in connective tissue (see Collegen).

Hydrolyzed Keratin:  This human hair protein found is substantive and strengthening to the hair shaft.

Jojoba Oil:  From the bean of a desert shrub, this oil closely resembles the skin's natural moisturizers, therby making it especially effective.  Excellent lubricant for the skin and hair.

Lavender Essential Oil:  Beautiful, aromatic and effective, this amazing botanical offers not only a lovely fresh, floral scent, but is also therapeutic as it both clams and uplifts the spirit, while soothing and balancing the skin.

Linden Blossom:  A traditional French elixir.  Gently tones and soothes.  Extracted from the leaves of the Linden tree.

Check out our next article for part 3 in this series.  More natural and organic ingredients to come.