When a client asks me, "If I only buy one product, what should it be?" I always say, "The sunscreen moisturizer and use it every morning. The best way to treat aging skin is to inhibit the major cause of aging!"

Sun exposure is the biggest enemy of the skin. Cumulative sun exposure causes premature aging including: deep and crisscross skin wrinkling, severe elastosis, many types of hyperpigmentation, benign seborrheic keratoses, wrinkly and sun damaged cleavage and poikiloderma of civatte (the "horseshoe" pattern of red-brown venous-pigmentation on the neck and upper chest). It can worsen rosacea, telangiectasias and diffuse redness. It can cause the giant comedones of solar acne (Favre-Racouchot syndrome), and it is the major cause of skin cancer. It is actually the major cause of cancer, since there are more cases of skin cancer than any other form of cancer, and is the major cause of melanoma-the deadly form of skin cancer.

Let's examine some common myths and misunderstandings that clients have about sunscreens and sun protection.
1. Client: I use sunscreen whenever I am in the sun, but I really don't get out in the sun much.

Truth: For most people, the majority of sun damage in the skin does not come from direct sun exposure. It comes from casual, ambient exposure to ultraviolet rays over a long period of time. Walking to the car, sitting on the patio, walking the dog and playing with the kids in the yard are all contributors. It is estimated that 80% of skin damage caused by sun comes from ambient day-to-day sun exposure. Everyone should use an SPF 15 or higher, broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning.

2. Client: I know a lot of sun is not good, but we are all going to age, right?

Truth: Yes, we all age. But someone who practices a lifetime of good sun prevention will have a few expression lines and some minor skin sagging with age. Sun worshippers will have deep and crisscross wrinkling, severe skin sagging and elastosis, leathery textured skin, any number of pigment issues including, but not limited to, dark splotches, "liver spots," deep freckling (mottling), hypopigmented areas (white spots), wrinkly leathery cleavage and, of course, skin cancers and other growths. The best way to treat aging skin is to prevent it by using a good broad spectrum sunscreen every single day. It is THE most important step in good skin care.

Heat also affects skin, and can contribute to inflammatory reactions and redness issues such as rosacea and telangiectasias. Even with sunscreen on, the heat from direct sun can cause aging damage.

3. Client: Don't all sunscreens protect me the same?

Truth: There are two major types of ultraviolet (UV) rays. Ultraviolet beta rays (UVB rays) are short rays that cause sunburn and damage to the outer layers of the skin. They cause the majority of skin cancers. Ultraviolet alpha rays (UVA rays) are longer, more deep-penetrating rays that go into the deeper dermis and cause the majority of the damage associated with premature skin aging, and these rays are also believed to be more associated with melanoma. In order for a sunscreen to be labeled "broad spectrum," the FDA requires that the sunscreen must undergo a laboratory test called a critical wavelength test, which measures how much of the UVA and UVB spectrum of light is being filtered. Sunscreens that pass this test are allowed to be labeled broad spectrum, meaning that they filter a significant range of potentially damaging UVA/UVB rays.

4. Client: I don't like sunscreens because they are greasy and smell like a pina colada.

Truth: The old "beach screens" of the 60s and 70s often did smell like coconut and often were oily. Today's advanced science allows the blending of sunscreen ingredients into elegant and lightweight formulations that are wearable and even work well under makeup. Sunscreen ingredients now can be blended in many types of creams, lotions or fluids, and they can vary in weight for various skin types. They can even be blended with good-for-you performance ingredients like hyaluronic acids, antioxidants and ceramides.

The trick in getting your client to use sunscreen every day is to make sure you sell wonderfully wearable sunscreen moisturizers that are both a good broad-spectrum sunscreen and a wonderful moisturizer. You should make sure that the sunscreens that you sell are elegant, wearable and work well under makeup. These are all very frequent concerns of many clients. If a client has a sunscreen moisturizer that she loves and wears well all day, that product will provide valuable defense against the most aging factor we face. Make sure you have several different good sunscreen products in different weights and formulations for aging, oilier and sensitive skin, as well as outdoor water-resistant sport sunscreens.
5. Client: I want a little sun, so when I go to the beach I don't apply sunscreen until I am out for a while. If I start to turn pink, I put on sunscreen.

Truth: By the time you turn pink, damage has already occurred. This damage will show up at age 40 or so as wrinkles, elastosis or maybe even a skin cancer. When the skin becomes inflamed, it produces enzymes called proteases. These enzymes dissolve collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid in the dermis. Every time you get red from sun or don't protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, your skin produces these self-destruct enzymes, and some of your collagen and elastin proteins are damaged. Over a period of time, this damage accumulates until it shows up as premature skin aging.

You should apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Applying sunscreen after the skin is already red can actually cause additional inflammation or reactivity to the sunscreen product.

6. Client: When I feel like I might be getting sunburned, I go in the water and that immediately relieves the burning feeling.

Truth: Cool water may make sunburned skin less painful, but the damage has already been done. At the point where you feel burned, you should get out of the sun immediately. You would not feel that way if you had put on a sunscreen before you went out!

Also, the sun's UV rays can penetrate right through the water and continue to burn your skin. Being in the water does NOT prevent sun exposure. Also, if you are going in the water, the sunscreen should be water-resistant.
7. Client: I did not use sunscreen today because it was cloudy.

Truth: The powerful ultraviolet waves of the sun cut right through clouds, which only filter about 20% of the rays. Theoretically, you can get sunburned in a rainstorm if you stay out long enough.

8. Client: After I burn at the beginning of the summer, then I can tan easier.

Truth: Burning your skin in the sun not only causes painful sunburn, it causes permanent damage to the dermis of your skin. This damage can eventually cause skin cancer. Just for the record, a tan is an immune function! It is your skin producing melanin attempting to protect the lower layers of your skin from sun damage.

9. Client: That sunscreen you recommended is very concentrated. It only takes a tiny bit to prevent me from burning.

Truth: Don't try to skimp on sunscreen! Apply at least 8 dots of it to your face and neck and massage in. And don't forget the back of your neck and your ears. If you are applying it to your body, it takes a full ounce of sunscreen to adequately protect the average size body, and it should be reapplied every two hours you are in direct sun. By the way, we are not just trying to keep from burning; we are trying to stop long-term serious skin damage that will lead to wrinkles and sagging and "liver spots," as well as potential skin cancers. Put it on EVERY MORNING!

10. Client: Is that sunscreen you sold me last year still good? I just found one in the trunk of my car!

Truth: Sunscreen formulas do fall apart in heat. They also have expiration dates. Throw it out!

If you're concerned at all about your appearance, you'll realize the most looked at feature on our body is the face. We look at our face the minute we place ourselves in front of a mirror, and as we age, we find ourselves looking for those tell tale signs such as fine lines on the brow, around the eyes, and especially around the mouth. While everyone eventually gets these - either through age, genetics, sun exposure, smoking or combinations thereof - , women, more so than men, are prone to developing wrinkles around the mouth.
There are three types of skin lines that form around the mouth:

Smile lines (nasolabial lines)
These wrinkles run from the bottom of the nose to the corners of the mouth.

Marionette lines
These are vertical lines that are found at the corners of the mouth. They can give your face a downturned expression, and give you a serious or angry look, even when you're relaxed.

Vertical lip lines
Wrinkles around the lips are mostly caused by regular movements of the lips, and therefore are unavoidable. Also called smoker lines due to the fact that the lips are pressed together when smoking, these lines get worse as smoking progresses.

Treatments for wrinkles around the mouth vary. If you're a smoker, then the most obvious remedy would be to quit! Not only will this help these particular wrinkles from getting worse, it will also improve your overall health and help add years to your life.

Other options are resurfacing the upper lip with lasers, dermabrasion or a chemical peel. All are designed to create a wound in the skin and stimulate the skin to produce new cells. Fillers (Restylane and Juvederm) can help add volume and soften lines, but if you have fine lines, don't expect to see too much of a difference.
Grape seed extract may also help with deep wrinkles. This extract has natural antioxidant properties and can help restore elasticity to your wrinkled skin. Massage the grape seed extract into your deep wrinkles daily to keep your skin looking young. An over the counter anti-wrinkle cream may also help in reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles. Face-tightening exercises may also help. GeniusBeauty.com suggests standing in front of the mirror and performing facial exercises for 15 minutes every day to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Start by stretching your mouth as wide as you can, as if saying "cheese." Hold the position for two seconds, then pucker your lips together tightly so that your lips almost touch your nose. Hold this pose for two seconds, then stretch your mouth back into the "cheese" position. After two seconds, stretch your lips forward and down, as if saying the word "go." Hold for two seconds, then relax. Repeat the entire routine 20 times.

So we've been told over and over to stay out of the sun; that it'll bring out wrinkles and dry out our skin. But did you know that you're more likely to have wrinkles in winter than in summer? It's true, and it's because there's less humidity and moisture in the air in the cold months than in the hot months, and along with the dry air and harsh winds of winter, your skin begins to dry out. And remember, skin contains collagen - a key part of your skin's structure - and it needs moisture.
According to Dr. Arthur Perry, MD., when the humidity drops below 30%, your skin starts to really dry out, especially in the lip area and the hands. With the drop in humidity, the skin is not able to retain as much water, and as a result, it becomes dry and is prone to cracks. As we get older, our ability to make more natural protective oils (sebum) declines, and that combined with the chemicals in our soaps and water, it's no wonder that our skin starts to get really dry and rough.

So to combat the dreaded dryness, we need to stop it before it can start. As soon as you get out of the shower and while your skin is still damp, put on moisturizer. This will trap in that extra water and prevent your skin from drying out. Moisturizers that are good to use are those with hydrating properties. These include oils such as olive, coconut, jojoba, vitamin E or aloe vera.

Avoid moisturizers with added fragrance and essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus since these can cause irritation, especially if your skin is already dry and cracked. Check the ingredients, and if you see Hyaluronic acid, stay away! This ingredient is in a lot of beauty products and is counter productive to keeping your skin moist. This is because Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, and relies on moisture to be effective. If there is no moisture in the environment, it will begin to draw moisture away from your skin!

Another thing to avoid are hot showers. Ladies, I know there's nothing better than letting that hot water pour over us like rain, as we soak up as much heat as possible. The bad thing though, is that heat destroys collagen. Which means that it leads to that dreaded dry skin.

What you should do is eat plenty of essential fats. Avocados, fish, flax seed, coconut oil are all great sources of essential fats. Our cells are surrounded by a protective lipid (fat) membrane, and if the body doesn't have enough fat, it loses moisture and it's ability to function properly.

Above all, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! If you really want to step it up, think about getting a humidifier to keep indoors in the winter. A humidifier will keep moisture in the air, and will provide needed moisture to your skin. So take extra care this cold season, and make sure you keep those winter wrinkles away by eating healthy and staying moisturized.

Let's face it. Wrinkles are irritating. And for some absurd reason, you notice them all of a sudden. You never seem to see them when they start forming. You see them when they're fully blown out. Well, all's not lost. There is something you can do about it without shelling over tons of money. Let's take a look at three recipes for home made treatments for wrinkles.
1.
Ingredients
1 egg
Crack open the egg and separate the yolk from the white. You'll be using the white, but don't waste the yolk. Cook it for a quick snack, or feed it to your cat or dog. Now, simply apply the egg white as a thin and even layer all over your face. Allow it to dry. You will definitely feel your skin tighten as it dries. Leave this on for about 25 minutes and wash off. You can use this egg treatment as a primer prior to applying makeup, or you can put it on at night before going to be and rinse it off in the morning. To change up the recipe, add a teaspoon of honey, or 3-4 drops of tea tree oil. (Great for acne prone skin).
2.
1 medium ripe papaya
1/2 glass of milk
Peel the papaya and remove the seeds. Cut the papaya into small cubes, about 1" square and blend in a blender or food processor. Add the milk and process on medium speed for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is smooth. Make sure all the papaya is blended smooth by scraping the sides of the blender with a rubber spatula or spoon. Process again if there are lumps. Spread the mixture over your face, forehead and neck, gently massaging it into your wrinkles. Relax in a comfortable position until the mixture is dry. (About 40 minutes). Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply a gentle moisturizer. Repeat about 3 times a week. It may take a while for results to appear, however with regular treatment, wrinkles should begin to fade. Papaya contains enzymes that etch away the top layer of skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Milk contains alpha-hydroxy acids that clear away dead skin cells and encourage collagen production.
3.
1 ripe banana
2 tbsp of plain yogurt
Blend the banana with the yogurt until you get a smooth paste. Apply to the wrinkled area and let it stay for about 30 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water. Repeat 2 to 3 times a week. Bananas are rich in minerals which can help to reduce wrinkles and smooth skin.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

An antioxidant, antiseptic and natural preservative, rosemary contains numerous chemicals that make it useful in fighting acne. It contains ursolic acid, which provides anti-inflammatory properties and natural carnosic acid, which inhibits melanoge­nesis. The herb also supports hydration and healthy collagen activity.

Its antiseptic properties make it ideal for use in cleansers, particularly with glycolic acid for acneic skin. It is also great in skin-firming toners with retinol and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and cell regeneration. In a mask, with other herbs like basil along with frankincense and flower extracts, rosemary will calm and soothe skin while reducing inflammation.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

These two fragrant herbs provide digestive and exfoliating benefits, as well as antiviral, antibact­erial, antifungal and immune stimulating support. When combined with ingredients like salicylic acid and ursolic acid, the exfoliating, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are boosted. This makes thyme and oregano ideal for use in peel and enzyme formulas.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

In cosmeceu­ticals, the leaf extract as well as the oil from basil is used to reduce inflammation, stimulate cells, provide antibacterial support, protect against oxidation and restore the skin's health. Depending on the ingredients it is paired with, it may be beneficial to a variety of skin types to promote overall skin health. When combined with other herbs like the essential oil of rosemary in a mask preparation, it is especially beneficial to oily or impure skin, as it provides soothing and balancing support.

Willow herb (Epilobium angustifolium)

This potent herb contains three major groups of polyphenols: tannins, phenolic acid and flavonoids. In studies, it has been shown to increase cell viability and provide photopro­tection.5 Willow herb, which has similar properties to hydrocor­tisone and exhibits similar effects, decreases erythema, inflammation and skin irritation. These properties make it a powerful ingredient for post-care following corrective treatments, particularly when used with shea butter. It's also ideal for brightening serums and retinol complexes, as it provides soothing support.

What Is An Oxygen Facial?

This treatment is designed to nourish your skin and promote collagen growth. It involves a machine that is used for spraying highly concentrated molecules of oxygen right into your epidermis (the outer layer of your skin). The oxygen that's applied to your face and neck is infused with vitamins, minerals, essential nutrients, and botanical extracts.

How Does The Oxygen Facial Work? (Oxygen Facial Procedure)

This excellent skin treatment involves three steps:

1. The Light Treatment

A light (emanating from a stick-like machine) is used to infuse oxygen into your skin. This stick-like machine is rotated all over your face. This smoothens and calms your facial skin.

2. The Serum Treatment

This is the most crucial step in the entire process. The serum has hyaluronic acid, minerals, vitamins, and loads of antioxidants. These tighten the skin, make it radiant, and eliminate wrinkles and fine lines.

3. Massage

This is the final step where your skin is massaged with lotions and creams that nourish your skin and seal it so that the effects of the treatment last longer. Special oxygen-infused creams are used to massage, cleanse, scrub, and exfoliate your skin.

The benefits of facial Gua Sha include:

• Younger looking skin
• Improves circulation
• Plumper, smoother skin
• Reduces appearance of wrinkles
• Increases hydration

Facial massage stimulates the dermis to support collagen and elastin production, manipulates areas of tension to relax facial muscles, exponentially increases blood and aids lymphatic flow, releases congestion and toxicity, soothes sore eyes and skin and unlocks aching jaws and brow: resulting in a brighter, healthier, more radiant complexion.