Monday, November 29, 2010

Mom Knows Best: Top Anti-Aging Tips!

If you're anything like me, you're probably taking one of your biggest sources for makeup and skincare advice completely for granted.  For years I dismissed her advice, not on purpose, but because really, who pays attention to that sort of thing till they're twenty-something?  Now I'm discovering that my mom knew what she was talking about all along.  She knows more about makeup and skincare than I do, knows which products work and which don't, andddd (drumroll, please!)...knows how to prevent signs of aging and has the wrinkle-free skin to prove it (whereas I'm two months away from twenty-three and can already detect the beginnings of fine lines plus a scarily deep forehead wrinkle).  I definitely need some preventative action.

I sat down with my mom this weekend and actually listened to her best anti-aging tips.  Now I get to pass them on to you!

Sun Protection
Her first suggestion is the easiest and the most important: stay out of the sun.  We've all heard a million times about the dangers of tanning and sun exposure, but listen up because they are 100% true.  Avoid the sun whenever possible and especially try to avoid it between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, when the sun's rays are most direct and intense.  Yes, even in winter.  This also goes for tanning beds.  Just don't.  Buy a bronzer and get some good self tanner if you can't stand being pale. 


Whenever you do need to venture outside, always always always apply sunscreen that's at least SPF 30.  A lot of foundations contain SPF 15 these days, so chances are you're halfway there already!  I'm extremely careful about which sunscreens I apply to my face; I honestly never found a traditional cream formula that I really liked.  Then I heard about Peter Thomas Roth's Instant Mineral SPF and became instantly hooked.  It's a mineral powder sunscreen that you simply brush on!  No messy cream, no annoying reactions with your makeup, just a quick wave of the brush and you're instantly protected from UV rays!  Best product ever.



Moisturizing
Another essential product to prevent signs of aging is a moisturizer.  Skin needs to be hydrated, especially if you have dry skin, but also if your skin is oily, too.  Surprised?  So was I.  Turns out, all skin types need a moisturizer.  There are about a gazillion brands and types available, so choosing what's best for your skin can definitely be intimidating.  One of the most popular moisturizers that works for all skin types is Philosophy's Hope in a Jar.  It feels thick and luxurious, but still remains lightweight.  Friends of mine who struggle with acne and dry skin alike all seem to agree that this is one of the best moisturizers out there.  If you'd rather have a drugstore option, Aveeno's Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer is pretty decent and probably your best bet.  Plus, it's SPF 30!




Treatment
This is where it gets intense, with treatments specifically designed to prevent wrinkles and target those that already exist.  My mom is most impressed with Dr. Denese's Advanced Firming Facial Pads.  You wash your face, then use one of these miracle pads before applying your moisturizer.  They contain enzymes to exfoliate, smooth out fine lines, and even shrink pores, leaving you with younger looking skin and preventing future wrinkles. 


Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother also by Dr. Denese provides a more concentrated approach to solving and preventing wrinkles; you just apply the cream where you need it most.  For me, this is definitely my forehead.  When I use this product, I can almost feel my skin tightening.  It's serious stuff, but not at all harsh for even the most sensitive skin.

Perhaps most important treatment of all is a great eye cream.  Again, Philosophy makes the best with their Hope in a Tube.  It's useful for both eyes and lips and is specially formulated to target fine lines in these particular areas.  Also, when applying any sort of product around your eyes, make sure to use your ring finger.  This also prevents unnecessary tugging and wrinkling on the extra sensitive thin skin around your eyes.            

In short:
To treat and prevent wrinkles in your twenties, the best things you can do are: stay out of the sun as much as possible, wear sunscreen, invest in a great moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated, and start using an intense eye cream.  Even if you aren't concerned with wrinkles at the moment, it's still a good idea to take preventative steps.  Baking in the sun or the tanning bed definitely won't do your skin any favors and moisturizing simply makes your skin look better at any age.

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