tips for beauty

As somebody who has had to take care of my skin most of my life, I was very dismayed to read the second ingredient in my skin care product of choice, was mineral oil.Why? Well, little did I know that when you apply mineral oil to your skin it prevents your skin from breathing by clogging the pores of your skin. Mineral oil also interferes with your skin’s ability to naturally remove toxins, which can irritate the skin leading to acne, chapping and dryness. And, this is the real kicker, using an anti aging skin care product with mineral oil in it, can actually lead to premature aging of your skin!

Oh yeah, I nearly forgot – applying mineral oil to your skin can also cause your skin to become dependent on it. Kinda like your skin getting addicted to mineral oil!What’s really irritating is I have been using this particular product for about 15 years. Essentially, I have unwittingly been making my skin worse!But wait, how can this happen? Don’t we have the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), to watch what’s put into anti aging skin care products?Come to find out, no, we don’t. You see, the FDA doesn’t regulate what is put in products for your skin. Since these products are not ingested, the Fed’s really do not care.

You’re pretty much on your own. And, if you’re thinking buying an expensive skin care product is any better, think again.Let me share with you what else I’ve learned. First off, let me give you a little background so that this information will make some sense.Our skin is the body’s largest organ. It contains collagen and elastin. Collagen provides strength and firmness, while elastin provides our skin with the ability to be flexible.Both are proteins and with time tend to break down. As these proteins break down, signs of aging such as wrinkling, sagging and lines begin to appear. The best anti aging skin care products are those that stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin.There are a lot of creams out there that are designed to fill in the lines and wrinkles. Of course, this is but a temporary fix that is washed away with every shower.

Following are ingredients that you don’t want to find in your anti aging skin care products.Clearly, mineral oil tops the list. Another ingredient to avoid is a synthetic derivative of coconut called Dioxane. Dioxane often contains 1,4-dioxane in high concentrates. This ingredient has been identified by the State of California as being a cause of cancer. Yet, you may be applying this stuff to your skin!We all like our skin to smell great, right? Sometimes that’s even the deciding factor when comparing skin care products; right again? Unfortunately, most fragrances are made of ingredients that are known to be carcinogenic or toxic. Avoiding creams with fragrances would be prudent!Then there are Parabens. There are several types of parabens that are used as preservatives. Parabens have been shown to interfere with your body’s endocrine system, may cause cancer and, may cause allergic reactions and rashes.Not something I want on my skin, but have faithfully been rubbing into my skin for years.Oh, and let’s not forget about alcohol. Again there are a bunch of different alcohols that can be found in anti aging skin care products.Alcohol for the most part absorbs moisture and as such can dry your skin and cause irritation. Alcohol can strip your skin of natural protective barriers exposing it to viruses, bacteria and mold.

Finally, there’s collagen. But wait, didn’t I just tell you collagen is an important part of your skin – that it gives your skin strength and firmness?Yep, I sure did. But here’s the thing. Collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed by your skin when applied topically. Manufacturers use it as an ingredient in their skin care products to fool you into believing their product is superior.We’ve just reviewed a few ingredients you want to avoid when comparing skin care products. Now let’s take a look at a few good ingredients. Here’s an ingredient you’ll want to find. Clinical studies have shown Keratin derives from the wool of New Zealand sheep, stimulates the re-growth of collagen and elastin. That’s a good thing!