Wednesday, August 5, 2009

What Does the Best Facial Moisturizer Have to Do To Meet Your Expectations For a Face Moisturizer?

Let me ask you a simple question... Of all the moisturizing creams you've ever used -- did the best facial moisturizer come close to meeting your expectations?

I will make the assumption you answered "No" otherwise, you probably wouldn't be reading this article in the first place.

If that's the case, what features, results and benefits do you reasonably expect from a top quality moisturizing face cream.

The first and most basic things a moisturizer must do in my opinion is hydrate and moisturizes facial tissue by adding water and oils to the skin cells. And at the same time it needs to reduce the amount of moisture lost from the skin.

Now there are lots of good natural hydrating and moisturizing emollients, antioxidants and natural oils that can do this. But, on the other hand, you have to be careful, because there is way to many nasty petroleum-based substances in creams, that you should avoid putting on your delicate facial skin.

The second important issue to think about is the amount of active ingredients contained in the moisturizer. It's simple really -- if there's only a very small amount of substances in the cream that do all the good work... then you can't really expect a satisfactory result. Therefore, the obvious thing to do is look for a moisturizing cream that contains the highest amount of natural active ingredients compared to any other comparable product you're evaluating.

The third thing worth looking for in the best facial moisturizer is can it help maintain and hopefully improve your skins present condition. We all know facial tissues sag and wrinkle, as you get older particularly around and under the eyes, jowls and neck area. This is partly due to dryness, but is more influenced by the reduction of collagen and elastin protein cells being produced by your body.

Therefore, it's reasonable to expect a good quality moisturizing cream to also contain special substances that can help firm and tone up these difficult areas with anti-aging and anti-wrinkle ingredients.

Let's assume you can find a line of creams that meet the above stringent criteria. Then there are only two remaining issues... can you afford to buy and use the products on a daily basis, and are you prepared to start a proper skin care regime and follow it through.


So, the best facial moisturizer isn't just a single product. It's a combination of top-quality natural ingredients used in synergy throughout the day and nighttime, to keep your skin hydrated, moisturized, soft and smooth all the time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_M._Reid

What skin type do I have? Here's An Easy Test

1. Wash your face with a cleanser designed for normal skin. I like to use Cetaphil for this test.
Rinse well. Pat (don't wipe) your face dry using a soft towel.

2. Wait one hour.

Watch a good show. I like The First 48, Snapped, or The Ultimate Fighter! :-)

3. Evaluate your skin.

Dr. Susan Taylor, dertmatologist and Director of the Skin of Color Center, states:



  • If it feels tight, ashy, or flaky- you have dry skin.

  • If you’re oily {Look for shine or a glossy appearance.} only across the forehead, down the nose, and on the chin- you have combination skin.

  • If you are shining, or glossy all over your face- you have oily skin.

  • If your face feels irritated or slightly itchy- you have sensitive skin.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Do I have to use a cleanser?

The answer is simply, “Yes.” Everyone needs to use one cleanser or another. Cleansing improves the health, well-being, and hygiene of your skin. That’s what we want, right?



If the skin is not cleansed, sweat, pollutants, debris, oil and bacteria builds up. Ugh! When you cleanse, you’re eliminating excess toxins which should decrease how quickly microorganisms grow which will reduce the possibility for infection. Yay!



Water alone only removes a little more than 60% of the dirt and oil on the skin. That’s not nearly a clean face. Water does not remove make-up. See, you need that cleanser.



Cleansers are formulated to remove all that additional dirt, oil, bacteria, make-up and dead skin cells.



If you have sensitive skin, wear make-up, or if you use topical creams, you simply must use a cleanser.



Here’s a compromise. We know that a quality skin care routine has four steps: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Moisturize, Protect. If you're too busy for one more step in your skin care routine, buy a cleanser that does more than just cleanse! Use the beauty of science.



My family (Mother plus her four daughters) uses Mary Kay’s Timewise 3-In-1 Cleanser.
Why? First, of all we don’t have much time, two of us are Mothers, so this product combines 3 beauty do’s into one. The 3-In-1 Cleanser is created to save time by combining cleansing, exfolitating, and freshening of the skin.



Secondly, my sisters and I are all over 29, so anti-aging products are at the top of our list. This cleanser contains age-fighting ingredients. Details in another article.


Finally, we simply agree with the thousands of Essence magazine readers who voted this product Reader’s Choice Beauty Award. Women of color-it works on our skin!