There are some drawbacks to an oily complexion but there is also a plus.  You aren’t likely to be fighting fine lines and wrinkles that someone with dry skin will.  The look and feel of oily skin can be remedied – to a degree – by following a few simple steps.

Oily skin needs a quality moisturizer.  The important thing to remember is to not over moisturize.  Find a skin care regiment designed for oily skin and one that will accomplish what you want.  The main objective is to have a less oily feel to your skin and reduce the appearance of an oily, shiny complexion.  Of course, this must be done without stripping your skin of all oils and causing more problems – dry, flaky skin for example.  There are ways of eliminating excess oils without drying the skin, giving you a beautiful and touchable face.

First on the agenda should be to shop around.  Skin care products can be very expensive, whether they work or not.  Ask questions about what the manufacturer claims the product will do.  Shop around and make it a habit to ask for samples before purchasing.  Stores specializing in bath and beauty products are the most likely to have samples and they tend to be a bit more knowledgeable in skin care and skin care products.  I’ve found in my own experience, when shopping in stores not specializing in bath and beauty products, samples aren’t so easy to come by.

If they say they don’t have samples, I thank them very politely and explain it is just too much money for my budget to spend on a maybe – maybe it’s what I’m looking for and maybe it isn’t.  When they realize I’m serious about purchasing the appropriate products for my skin type, they will often find a sample.  I’ve even had sales people put enough of a product I’m interested in a small container.  When someone goes to that much trouble for me I definitely purchase from them if at all possible.

An oily complexion should be cleansed at least twice a day – three times a day would be much better but almost impossible to achieve with our busy schedules.  If you don’t wear a foundation (and most do) you might consider using a towelette facial pad moistened with a solution suitable for your skin type that will remove excess oil when away from home.

Both complexion bars and cream cleansers are available.  There are excellent bars on the market although some brands seem to go to one extreme or the other.  I’ve found cream cleansers seem to be gentler and still allow you to achieve the results you want.

Select an oil free product when purchasing moisturizers or cleansers.  Many choose a lite moisturizer.  In doing so, you have less of a chance of reapplying the oil you have just removed.  You do want “moisture” that is necessary for a touchable, radiant skin.

Another thing to consider with oily skin is your diet.  Some foods can cause the same reaction to your skin that you are working to eliminate.

No matter what a persons skin type a sunscreen should always be used.  Sunscreens formulated specifically for oily skin can easily be found.  Having an oily complexion can cause you to sunburn quicker and easier than a person with dry skin may experience.  It’s easier to protect your skin now rather than attempt to reverse damage the sun can cause later.  And as always, drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

Last but definitely not least – don’t feel like you’ve received the short end of the stick because you have an oily complexion.  And as with everything in life – there are pros and cons to having an oily complexion.  Just the fact that you may not have to cope with the dreaded fine lines and wrinkles as early as some may experience is a definite “PRO” in my opinion!  So keep focused on the pros, take proper care of your skin and you’ll find life in the “oily” lane isn’t so bad after all.

First and foremost should be a quality sunscreen, preferably no lower than SPF15.  Some say it will not only help prevent skin cancer but also helps fade any fine lines or wrinkles you may already have.  Wearing a sunscreen with a moisturizer will not prevent or reverse wrinkles but it does keep the skin soft and supple and temporarily improves the skins appearance.  Wearing a large brimmed, tight woven hat is helpful.

Cleansing with a good quality cleanser in your skin care regime should not be neglected.  You can usually find creamy or foaming cleansers.  So long as it is of good quality – the choice is your preference of the two.  A cleanser should not soak into the skin easily.

Make it a habit of cleansing your face before going to bed.  If you skip night washing, you allow dirt and toxins, as well as makeup, to remain on the skin overnight.  Gently massage the cleanser with your fingertips and avoid scrubbing with a rough wash cloth.  It is much too harsh on the delicate facial skin.  Always use warm water to rinse, and then gently pat dry.

Exfoliating reveals a more radiant complexion by removing dead skin cells, leaving you with a smooth, more refined and glowing skin.  You will want to use a mild scrub with gentle abrasive action.  Go easy at first until you know the abrasiveness of your scrub.  If you over do it, you can end up with red patches on the skin.  Moisten your fingertips or your face before beginning.  This will loosen up the scrub and make it more spreadable.  Also, purchase products that are PH-balanced.

Moisturizing is necessary to keep the skin soft and supple and help prevent further fine lines and wrinkles.  It is extremely important in the winter.  Low humidity can suck moisture from the skin, leaving you with an uncomfortable tight, itchy feeling.  The wind also robs moisture from the skin.  Use a quality moisturizer.  It will replace moisture that the wind and winter conditions rob you of.  Day creams should not be too oily but readily soak into the skin.  Night creams are usually richer, fighting wrinkles and fine lines as you sleep.

Oily skin needs moisturizing too.  You will want to purchase a moisturizer designed for your skin type.  You don’t want to worsen your condition.  Using the correct moisturizer is beneficial to the skin, even oily types.  It helps replace moisture lost during the day by exposure to sun and wind.

A good skin care regiment can leave you with a beautiful, soft complexion taking years off your age.  Plenty of water and good nutrition helps beautify your skin from the inside out.  Try to alleviate stress, get plenty of sleep and you are on your way to a younger you.

Understanding Collagen

As you age, the collagen particles in your skin begin to break down.  Collagen is a vital protein that keeps your skin firm and youthful looking.  As the connections between collagen particles deteriorate, the support they lend to your skin also falls apart, leading to sagging and wrinkles.

Finding a way to replace collagen is important to preventing premature aging and helping you keep your natural, radiant appearance. By replacing lost or damaged collagen in your skin, you can improve the look and texture of your skin. You will notice a rejuvenated tone and youthful glow.

The Importance of Collagen

Collagen fibers are found in dense bundles that lose their density as you age, weakening your skin structure. Elastin and proteoglycan are other important molecules that lend structure to your skin. Collagen directly affects these skin supportive structures as well. This makes it important to maintain a healthy supply of collagen in your skin, especially as you grow older.

Getting More Collagen in Your Skin

Unfortunately, collagen molecules are too large to pass through the top layer your skin. The skin has three layers, and the top layer is always in contact with your environment. This top layer is designed to protect your body from unwanted elements and therefore has a low permeability, blocking many pollutants and toxins from entering your body. For this reason, any wrinkle cream designed to replace collagen must have a special delivery system to help the collagen particles enter your skin. Your cream should also add moisture and nutrients to protect your skin from pollutants and free radical damage. Some women have described the results of this type of wrinkle cream as equal to the effects of Botox, but without the injection.

Does Wrinkle Cream Work?

Wrinkle creams that deliver collagen to your skin are based on a new technology that saturates the skin with collagen. These creams use discoveries in molecular physics that control the release of skin rejuvenating collagen. These new technologies allow the skin to absorb collagen without the painful pricks of needles. A good anti wrinkle cream will also deliver vital nutrients that enhance the effectiveness of the cream with other hydrating proteins, vitamins and minerals.

Studies Say Yes

Studies done on the effectiveness some of these wrinkle creams have shown that products with special collagen delivery systems are able to penetrate 40% into all three layers of the skin within 10 minutes time. After an hour, penetration levels rise to 95%. In other trials, where anti wrinkle cream was applied to only one half of the face for three weeks, the difference was dramatic. Users had softer, clearer skin with a 10% reduction in wrinkles and fine lines. They also reported less noticeable darkness or “bags” under their eyes.

Demand Growing for Anti Aging Cosmetics

Anti aging cosmetics are becoming enormously popular, especially in the US. Demand for anti-aging products is on the rise as women look for products that will protect their skin from the sun and nourish with natural ingredients like anti-oxidant and herbal compounds to prevent deterioration of skin cells. These anti-oxidants also help to increase the production of collagen in your skin, promoting greater elasticity and firmness.

Organic Ingredients on the Rise

The organic trend is also having an effect on the anti aging cosmetics market as more makers include organic products, giving women a greater sense of security in the products they use. The organic compounds included in these cosmetics are grown without the use of pesticides and help to preserve the environment through green farming techniques.

What to Look For

When looking for the best anti aging cosmetics, you should look for a few key ingredients that will help you get the most from your investment.  You should always look for products including the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E.  Coenzyme Q-10 is also a popular ingredient, used to reduce fine lines.

Benefits of Mineral Makeup

Mineral makeup is another popular anti aging cosmetic designed to hide discoloration and minimize fine lines.  These cosmetics will contain minerals like titanium dioxide, mica, iron oxides, and zinc oxide. The ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are known to have anti-inflammatory properties that can sooth the skin, especially good for those with rosacea or acne.

New Trends

Algae products like spirulina are also becoming a popular trend in anti aging cosmetics.  Compounds made from algae extracts are said to counteract aging from the sun and free radical damage from pollutants.

Sunscreen Protection

Many women use one cream with SPF 15 that goes under their makeup in the morning, then another wrinkle cream that they wear at night.  A separate wrinkle cream is helpful at night, because this is when your body is regenerating itself and can use the nutrients in the wrinkle cream most effectively.

How to Use Wrinkle Cream

When using anti wrinkle cream, it is important to apply the cream immediately after your shower, while your pores are open from the heat and moisture.  This optimizes your skins ability to absorb the collagen molecules. Be certain to wash your face again before bed to prevent the daily toxins your skin picks up from festering on your skin at night. You should then apply a nighttime cream, rich in nutrients.

Daytime Needs

During the day, you need sunscreen protection in your skin.  In addition, you will want to exfoliate and renew the outer skin layer with a cream that contains alpha hydroxyl acids. These compounds are great for your skin, but can be a little irritating, so you do not want an exfoliating cream on your skin at night. An effective wrinkle cream will also have a collagen delivery system that can sometimes cause mild stinging. This is not a distraction you want at night when you are trying to sleep.

Nighttime

Obviously, there is no need of sunscreen in a nighttime wrinkle cream.  You will, however need vitamins, nutrients and minerals with antioxidant properties.  By nourishing your skin at night with these ingredients, you will waken with soft, glowing skin, rather than a puffy, tired look.

Eye Wrinkle Cream

Another important element to fighting wrinkles is eye cream. These creams are specially formulated for the sensitive skin surrounding your eyes. These are gentle enough to use either morning or night. You only need to dab a small amount under your eyes to diminish dark circles. Some eye wrinkle creams also add firmness and are applied to the skin above your eyes as well a below.

By adding these wrinkle creams to your daily skin regimen, you will see fewer lines, less discoloration, and a healthier, more youthful glow.