In ancient times, people used herbal formulas to maintain their youthful skin and appearance, but the modern era ushered in easier, not necessarily healthier, ways to satisfy those desires.

Today, we rely on chemical laboratories and cosmetic surgeons to look years younger than our biological age. Who doesn’t want skin that looks 28 when you’re 53?

But many of the commercial creams that promise glowing complexions, contain antibiotics, hormones, and other irritants that can cause drying, swelling, itchiness, and rashes.

Fortunately, there are safer alternatives. Here are some helpful tips in your quest to slow the signs of aging and to have a more youthful appearance.

Stay out the sun – it’s that simple

Sunshine yields a multitude of wellness benefits…but youthful looking skin isn’t necessarily one of them if you spend more than 15 – 20 minutes in the sun daily.

The sun can drain natural oils from the skin and moisture from the body, hastening the skin-aging process. Overexposure to the sun is one of the causes of leathery-looking skin and dark spots, not to mention increased risk of skin melanoma, with over 200,000 new cases each year.

Between the hours of 11am – 3pm, the sun produces burning infrared rays, which cause a breakdown in the body’s tissues. Try to schedule your outdoor activities to occur before or after these hours.

Also, use sunscreen with a powerful SPF to protect your skin against UV radiation; reapply every one to two hours, especially if sweating or in the water.

Consider these skin saving tips, too:

• Wear a hat if you’ll be in the sun for an extended period of time. Avoid hats with wide weaves or holes because the sun’s rays can still get through and burn you. If it’s wintertime, a season that can dry out your skin, causing wrinkles, a light scarf worn across your face can protect your skin from the wind and sun.

• Wear quality sunglasses. Choose glasses that offer 100% UV protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Wrap-around, and oversized sunglasses, offer extra protection. Also, look for polarized lenses as they will reduce glare and eye strain, which can have an aging effect on your eyes.

• Physical activity increases circulation, which removes toxic waste from your system while increasing the nutrients that give your skin a healthy glow.

• Stop smoking. Nicotine and cigarette smoke speed the natural aging process, causing premature skin damage, disease and accelerated aging.

• Botox and laser treatments: Botox treatments relax the facial wrinkles, preventing them from getting deeper. There are less-invasive skin treatments like IPL (intense pulsed light treatment). Some people also seem to have success with infrared saunas, not just for their aches and pains but for their skin complexion too.

Before you pursue any clinical options, you’ll need to decide whether these treatments are right for you, so proceed with caution. And before you do anything, always check with your physician first.

Taking care of your skin is probably the easiest thing you can do to keep it healthy and looking young. Moisturize your skin daily, exfoliate it once a week, apply anti-aging creams, drink plenty of water and eat skin-friendly foods (think salads instead of French fries) that keep your skin hydrated and elastic. You might also consider taking a supplement that is packed with antioxidants.

Lastly, the best thing you can do for younger looking skin is to get your sleep. Beauty sleep is a thing; you know the drill, we need seven to eight hours of sleep each night for the body to repair, restore and rejuvenate itself. One of the fastest ways to accelerate aging and look years older than your biological age is to miss out on the sleep your body requires for optimal health.

Having that youthful glow and younger-looking skin begins with deciding to tweak your lifestyle. Getting enough rest is a great place to start because it reduces stress AND decreases wrinkles. Think of it this way: your lifestyle can give you age compliant skin, where you look your age (or much older), OR, it can give you age-defiant skin, where you have the vitality and complexion of a person half your age!

The post How To Look Younger By Protecting Your Skin From Sun Damage appeared first on Lifestyle.

If you have acne, you probably get your share of unsolicited advice about how to take care of your troubled skin. You’ve heard it all from “don’t eat fatty foods” to “exfoliate daily with a homemade oatmeal face scrub.” And you’ve probably tried everything, too hoping to find that one magic cure.

There’s No Miracle Cure for Acne

Sadly, there’s no miracle cure for acne. What works for one person might not work for another, which is why much of the advice you receive doesn’t help your skin. The reason why is because there are many different causes for acne including hormones, excess oil production, clogged hair follicles, bacteria, even medication & stress.

Diet & Acne

The jury is still out on whether diet affects acne. Some studies have found a connection between acne and a high glycemic diet. Sugar and processed carbohydrates spike blood sugar. Over time, this causes insulin resistance, which then affects sebum production.

One diet that has gotten a lot of attention in recent years because of its effects on longevity is the calorie restriction diet. But despite its many benefits, studies have yet to demonstrate that caloric restriction helps with the treatment of acne.

However, most experts seem to agree that the standard American diet isn’t great for your skin. If you have troubled skin, its best to play it safe and eat healthy. This means avoiding sugary and fatty junk food as much as possible.

Skin Care Tips for Acne Prone Skin

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that you wash your face twice daily. This is especially important if you have oily skin with hair follicles that tend to get clogged. Regular cleaning removes excess oil and prevents clogged pores and hair follicles.

When you wash your face, do it gently, don’t scrub. Scrubbing your skin only irritates it and makes your acne worse. Use a good oil-free moisturizer with SPF protection after washing. Don’t forget to wash anything that touches your face regularly like pillowcases and hats.

Some dermatologists recommend using retinol-based products which are made from vitamin A. These products get rid of dead skin cells and work to prevent clogged pores. There are many over-the-counter, retinol-based skin care products from which to choose.

If you have tried several over-the-counter products and nothing seems to be working, it’s time to see a dermatologist. He or she will diagnose the cause of your acne and prescribe treatment accordingly. The treatment could be topical antibiotics and/or oral antibiotics for acne that is caused by bacteria, or maybe even a stronger, more effective prescription version of a Retinol-based product to treat excess oil production.

Having acne prone skin is a common problem that affects millions of people; it’s particularly distressing for teens. And all of the unsolicited advice from well-intentioned people can make the emotional impact even worse. However, acne is a medical condition and, like any other ailment, is totally treatable. Ongoing treatment coupled with proper skin care can reduce the physical and emotional toll of living with acne prone skin.

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Winter brings chilly temperatures, lower humidity and strong winds. These harsh conditions can make your skin dry, sensitive, itchy and fragile.

The reason your usual skin care routine doesn’t work as well during winter is because your skin needs a lot more moisture than usual. However, with a little effort, you can adapt your skin care routine for colder weather. Here’s how.

Take Shorter, Lukewarm Showers with Mild Soap

Hot showers feel great when it’s cold outside but they strip oils from your skin, making it dry and itchy. Generally, if your skin appears reddish when stepping out of the shower, the water is too hot. Take lukewarm showers to keep your skin hydrated and glowing.

Also, consider spending less time in the shower/bath because your hands and feet shouldn’t look like prunes when finished.

You might think that taking long showers hydrates your skin but the opposite is true. They strip the protective barrier of fats and proteins that keeps in moisture and protects your skin from harsh wintry weather.

Lastly, soaps are designed to remove oils from your skin, which can be really bad if your skin is already dry. A mild soap, non-soap cleanser, or oil-infused shower gel is better for your skin during winter.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

The best way to keep your skin from drying out during winter is to make sure that it gets plenty of moisture. Creams and serums create a barrier that locks in moisture; they work much better than lotions and gels.

After taking a warm shower using a mild soap, pat yourself dry and apply cream, oil or serum to your damp skin. This locks in the remaining moisture, making your skin softer and healthier.

Don’t Forget the Sun Screen

Some people believe that sunscreen is unnecessary during winter because the sun’s rays are less powerful. This isn’t true. Eighty percent of the sun’s harmful rays are capable of penetrating thick overcast clouds.

Also, sun exposure is cumulative, so a little exposure every day can lead to premature wrinkles, sagging skin, and increased risk of cancer. Applying a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily, rain or shine, is the best way to protect your skin from damaging UV rays at all times.

See a Dermatologist If All Else Fails

If you’ve tried multiple winter skin care routines and still can’t find one that keeps your skin healthy, see a dermatologist. He or she will assess your skin and recommend a routine that best suits your skin care needs.

With this simple skin care routine, you AND your skin will be able to enjoy all of the fun festivities that winter brings.

The post Winter Skin Care appeared first on Lifestyle.

Moles are common. Most people have at least 10 and continue developing new ones until the age of 40.

Moles are pink, tan or brown growths that occur when pigments cells, known as melanocytes, grow in a cluster. They are usually found on areas that are exposed to the sun.

Most moles are small, barely raised and harmless. They rarely turn into melanoma, a type of skin cancer. However, having more than 50 moles increases the risk of developing melanoma. This is why you should see your doctor if you notice any changes in your moles.

Change in Color

A color change that affects the entire surface of the mole could signify something serious.

Unfortunately, moles contain a lot of melanin and are usually darker than the rest of the skin. This makes it difficult to detect color changes.

A normal mole is pink, reddish, tan, brown or just a black spot on the skin – commonly known as a beauty mark. If you notice a mole that looks different from the rest, keep an eye on it. See a doctor if the color keeps changing or if the mole turns an unusual color like blue or white.

Change in Size

Moles usually stay the same size. For instance, if it was just a spot when you first noticed it, it should stay roughly the same size.

If you have a mole that keeps getting bigger, see a doctor. The same goes for moles that are larger than the diameter of a pencil, which is about a quarter inch.

Change in Shape

Moles tend to be round. If a mole has irregular edges that are ragged, blurred or smudgy, see a doctor. The same goes for moles that have a dry, hard, scaly or lumpy surface.

Itching, Bleeding or Oozing

Moles can rub against your clothing and start to itch. However, if the itching mole starts to crust, bleed or ooze, inform your health care provider. Itching, bleeding and oozing could be a sign of melanoma.

How to Check Your Moles

Find a good mirror and examine all the areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun. You should wear very little clothing when doing this.

When examining your moles, keep the ABCDE’s in mind: Asymmetry, Borders, Color, Diameter and Evolving.

According to the experts over at skincancer.org, one person dies of melanoma every 54 minutes.  So, regularly screening your skin is a great cancer prevention habit.

Moles are very common and most are harmless. So please don’t worry. But monitor your moles regularly and see your primary care provider as soon as possible if you see any changes.

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