6 Tips for Smoothening Hand Wrinkles

As women approach 40, the effects of the sun, a diminishing supply of estrogen, diet, and nutrition cause skin to dry and wrinkle. Crow's feet, smile lines, and forehead furrows slowly begin to appear on their faces. Unfortunately, the wrinkling doesn't stop at the face. Their hands begin to dry and wrinkle too. While chemical peels, Dermabrasion, Botox or plastic surgery may be the answer to turning back the clock on facial lines, how do mature women smoothen the wrinkles on their hands? Here are 6 tips for smoother, younger hands.

1. Moisturize and replenish your hands after washing The typical woman washes her hands several times a day. When we are not washing our hands, we may use hand sanitizers. Both soap and sanitizers can have drying effects on the hands that can lead to wrinkles. Next time you clean your hands, think of it as a two-step process: wash, then moisturize.

2. Keep pocket-size hand lotions in your purse Pocket-size hand lotions and cremes come in handy when you are away from home and need dry hand relief. You can purchase trial or travel-size lotions at the drugstore or collect them from your hotel room during your next vacation.

3. Use facial scrubs Next time you break out your favorite facial scrub use it on your hands, rather than your face. Facial scrubs used to exfoliate dead skin cells from your face, are also excellent remedies for smoothening hands. They can be purchased inexpensively at the drugstore or made at home using kitchen ingredients like baking soda, rolled oats, or sugar.

4. Eat some carrots Foods rich in beta-carotene, like carrots, are full of antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect the skin from the harmful drying effects of the sun and help minimize wrinkles.

5. Drink water Water is a magical beauty elixir! It is nature's moisturizer and truly the fountain of youth. Staying hydrated improves the overall condition of the skin all over your body.

6. Wear gloves Before you wash your next sink of dishes, scrub your bathroom, or tend to your gardening duties, put on a pair of gloves. Chemicals used in dishwashing liquids and household cleaners can damage the skin on your hands. Similarly, exposing your hands to the elements of sun, wind, and water while performing outdoor activities like gardening, can result in dry skin. Wearing gloves while performing these activities not only protects the hands, it can help them lock in their natural moisture.By Leslie C Smith

Home Treatment For Eyebags and Dark Circles

Eyebags and dark circles can be very embarrassing to have. In some cases, your situation may partly rely on your appearance so it may be helpful to find an effective solution to get rid of it. There are quick and cheap home treatments available that will significantly lead to beautiful skin. Some of these techniques should be followed through well for maximum benefits.
The Lowdown on Stress and Exhaustion
Majority of eyebags and dark circles stem from a tired and stress body. You may notice that several hardworking individuals who do not get enough sleep at night are most prone to developing the problem. The basic approach would simply be to get more rest and sleep. Stress and mental exhaustion tends to tire the tissues, skin and muscle surrounding the eyes thereby leading to dark discolorations.
Other factors may also be the cause such as hereditary factors, age, vulnerability to environmental and external elements and unhealthy lifestyle habits that stress the skin such as smoking and excessive alcohol intake. These can be treated by controlling the predisposing factors and changing routines that make skin appear unhealthy. Hereditary susceptibility and age can be helped by taking care of one's body more through the years to prolong wellness.
Effective Home Remedies
Tired orbital areas may be relieved by cold application. Place a number of spoons in the freezer for about 30 minutes to an hour to allow it to absorb the cold. Use the backside of the spoon and place directly on the eyebags and dark circles for 2 minutes. Make use of the various angles of the spoon until the coolness is completely transferred on your face. Another alternative would be to place ice cubes in a small basin of water until the temperature drops to freezing. Take a small towel then dip and wring completely in the ice cold water before directly placing over the eyes covering the problem areas. Repeat the process one or two more times.
Basic facial washing also improves overall condition. Wash your face immediately upon waking up using mild soap and cool water. Massage and soothe eyebags and dark circles carefully then rinse thoroughly. Dab the areas dry with a clean cotton towel. Be sure not to rub on the areas to avoid stressing them. Eyebags may also develop through fluid retention so it may help to keep your head elevated during sleep and avoiding too much salt and fluids before bedtime.
Lightening Products
Vitamin E cream is usually recommended by most dermatologists since it offers a natural and non-irritating solution. Wrinkle-removing lotions and ointments are not recommended if the condition is due to normal aging. Hemorrhoid ointments are known to help tighten skin cells thereby making dark spots disappear. Quick fixes include concealers but make sure that you remove oil-based products with a cleanser or astringent to prevent irritation. Some types of oil and other ingredients may increase puffiness and swelling around the eyes so you may be better off with hypoallergenic cosmetic applications.
Herbs and Other Alternative Treatments
Some people suggest putting a sliced potato or cucumber over each eye for about 30 minutes. Chamomile, dill or rosemary compresses are effective alternative treatments as well. Ginseng and gynostemma are herbal agents known too improve skin circulation and pore condition thereby removing dark circles around the eyes. These treatments act by improving blood flow and distributing oxygen well into the tissues. Vitamin K is also considered to help eliminate puffiness and discoloration. Vitamin C, copper and zinc are useful agents since these create elastin which functions by keeping skin tight and healthy. Other useful elements include selenium and minerals like Vitamin B complex.
Healthy eating habits and a sound exercise routine will keep your skin healthy and prevent formation of eyebags. Individuals should limit exposure to UV rays and sitting in front of the television or computer for too long. Smoking should also be reduced or stopped entirely since it can cause blood vessels to constrict limiting oxygen and blood supply to tissues. Choice of food is another factor to consider since spicy foods are known to excite the nervous system. Focus more on healthy and natural food options rich in essential vitamins and minerals.

By Jean Simmer

Using Essential Oils to Prevent Wrinkles - If You Are Over 30

When we reach our 30's and 40's we want to look as young as we can for as long as we can. However, we can't halt the aging process. That is much too severe. But as we do age, we see that ever so slowly, as age creeps up on us, our skin starts to change. Fine lines appear. We start looking at the price of cosmetic surgery. We consider chemical peels.
During this time in our lives, we start paying attention to the things that harm our skin: We pay attention to cleansing our face ever so gently with natural moisturizers that hydrate the skin. We know the best fruits for anti-oxidants, and we include them in our diet. We start wearing hats and applying SPF products when we are in the sun. We drink less alcohol, think seriously about ways to manage our stress, and find a program to quit smoking that works. We increase our intake of water to include at least glasses of water every day. We cut out the late-night show so we can get more sleep. We check carefully for any unusual blemish, lump or change in the way the skin looks or feels. Most skin problems are not cancerous, but it is important to get checked by your doctor if you notice any suspicious changes.
And last, but certainly not least: we look at an Essential Oil Reference Guide to find essential oils to help maintain collagen and regenerate new cells for our skin. To counteract wrinkles and dry, mature skin, essential oils are most effective when combined with nutrient packed nut and seed oils to aid in moisturizing and protecting the skin. Did you know that skin cells replenish every 28 days or so? When you try a new product, give it at least a month to see if it works or not.
Floral waters and facial mists are wonderful for aging skin, and are a good product to prevent the signs of aging. Use them periodically during the day to add moisture to your skin, and as a part of your nightly routine. Use them prior to applying oils. This way, you will be adding a layer of moisture to the skin surface while gently toning the skin. A very good floral water is myrtle. You can make your own facial mist by adding 15-20 drops of myrtle essential oil to 4-6 ounces of distilled water in a spray bottle. Be sure to shake the bottle before each use. The moisture in the spray will help your fingers glide easily during the facial massage. Avoid alcohol-based mists.
There are several recipes available for skin care. We want one that we can use to massage our face and neck. Here is one for reducing wrinkles no matter what your age:
Skin Wrinkle Reducing Oil
5 drops Sandalwood
5 drops Helichrysum
5 drops Geranium
5 drops Lavender
5 drops Frankincense
1 Tbsp. Sweet Almond or Apricot Kernel carrier oil
Dilute the essential oils in the Sweet Almond carrier, put in a 1-ounce dark glass bottle. Cap the bottle and mix gently. Label with the ingredients and instructions. Apply 2-4 drops of the blend onto your fingertips, and apply to a moistened face and neck. Work upward, gently massaging the facial tissue. Avoid pulling or over-manipulating the tissue. Be gentle.
And now finally, here is the wrinkle prevention oil specifically for people over 30:
Wrinkle Prevention Oil If You Are Over 30
1 Tbsp Jojoba Oil
1 tsp Macadamia Oil or Kukui Oil
1 tsp Rosehip Oil
3 Drops Carrot Seed Essential Oil
4 Drops Niaouli Essential Oil
3 Drops Myrtle Essential Oil
3 Drops Geranium Essential Oil
1 Drops Patchouli Essential Oil
2 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil
Combine these ingredients in a 1-ounce dark glass bottle. Cap the bottle and mix gently. Label with the ingredients and instructions. Apply 2-4 drops of the blend onto your fingertips, and apply to a moistened face and neck. Work upward, gently massaging the facial tissue.
If you are older or younger, see my EzineArticles that feature wrinkle prevention for over 20 and for over 50. Select your own age group.

By Judy Lausch

Anti-Aging Cream -- Is There Danger Lurking Within?

The anti-aging industry is booming. Aging baby boomers seem to be obsessed with preserving their youthful look. Anti-aging preparations claim to make you look younger as you get older. But are the ingredients in these products safe?

Here are 10 ingredients to avoid in anti-aging preparations:

Propylene glycol is a strong irritant, a neurotoxin (toxic to the nervous system) and may cause kidney and liver damage. It may cause delayed allergic reactions, acne and contact dermatitis. It absorbs quickly and is a penetration enhancer, i.e. it increases the absorption of other ingredients in the product through the skin into the bloodstream.

Diazolidinyl urea is a skin irritant and a potential cause of dermatitis. It is a formaldehyde releaser. Formaldehyde is a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) as determined by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Imidazolidinyl urea is a strong irritant. It causes contact dermatitis. It's also a formaldehyde releaser.

Phenoxyethanol is a skin and eye irritant with a rose fragrance. It can cause contact dermatitis and is harmful if absorbed through the skin.

DMDM hydantoin is another formaldehyde releaser. It may cause contact dermatitis and has cause caused cancer in experimental animals.

Triethanolamine (TEA) is an irritant, a sensitizer and causes contact dermatitis. It may cause the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in products containing nitrogen compounds. It may also contain nitrosamine contaminants not listed on the label.

Parabens (ethyl-, methyl-, butyl- and propylparaben) are endocrine disrupters. They disturb the hormonal balance in the body. They are absorbed through the skin and may irritate the skin. They have been found in breast cancer tumors, but it is not known if they had a part in causing the tumors.

PEG-n (4-200) is an eye and skin irritant and is hazardous on large areas of the body. It may be contaminated with dangerous levels of the carcinogen, 1,4-dioxane.

HGH is human growth hormone. Some products may contain HGH or ingredients that stimulate the body to produce it's own HGH. Ironically, the hormones don't slow the aging process, they just hide the symptoms. Animal studies have shown that those animals which produce more growth hormone in old age have a shorter life span, not longer. Studies have also shown that HGH causes carpal tunnel and diabetes. And it has not been adequately tested.

Ultrasomes, keratinocyte growth factor and DNA enzyme complex are known bioengineered ingredients that are used in some anti-aging products. The biotech industry is not very open about bio-engineered or genetically modified ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. They're not required to identify ingredients that are bioengineered and they're not required to state on the label that a product contains bioengineered ingredients. The safety of bioengineered ingredients has not been adequately studied.

Look for products with safe ingredients like aloe vera, essential oils, shea butter, grape seed oil, emu oil, antioxidants like vitamins A,C and E, green tea and Co-Q10. But also remember, it's more than just skin care. Slowing the aging process involves eating a healthy diet with lots of healthy anti-oxidant rich foods and enzymes, regular exercise, stress reduction and adequate rest. It's vitally important to pay attention to your whole body, not just your skin.

By Christine Farlow