How do you take care of your skin?

If you buy skincare products, you need to buy it and make sure it does not have harsh chemicals. The harsh chemicals used on some skincare products can break through the barriers of your skin and cause more harm than good.

Natural Ingredients

If you want to be sure about the safety of what you are using on your skin, you should stick to natural ingredients. To give you a clearer idea of what you should use, here are some natural ingredients that are good for your skin. Some of these ingredients might surprise you.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is arguably the most popular natural skincare ingredient in use today. One of the things that make coconut oil is very versatile. You can apply it topically and you can ingest it. You can still get the benefits from it. It can help in removing dead skin cells and also fortify your skin. It’s also excellent for the hair and many hair care products have it as an ingredient.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has a long history of being used for treating skin problems. It is good for treating breakouts, redness, and inflammation. It is a natural anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory ingredient. It can be applied directly to the skin.

Grape Seed Oil

Grapeseed oil is a common food ingredient. What you may not realize is that it has excellent qualities for skincare as well.  This oil is extracted from the seeds of grapes after they have been processed for wine. This oil is also effective an antioxidant which is why it is so good for the skin.  One of the best things about grape seed oil is that it does not clog pores so it can be used on almost any skin type.

Rose Water

Rosewater is not just fragrant and relaxing but is also useful for skincare.  If you are looking for a natural treatment for irritated skin then rose water should be the first thing you should try.  Rosewater contains vitamins and is an excellent antioxidant.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains a powerful acetic acid that makes it perfect for cleansing your skin. It can kill fungi, bacteria, and other pathogens that can be found on your skin.

Sea Salt

Don’t be surprised, but sea salt can actually be beneficial for your skin. Sea salt is very rich in minerals that are very good for the skin. Those minerals include potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Those minerals are needed by your skin cells. Sea salts can be applied topically and can be used with some natural facial scrub. You can mix it with honey and raw avocado for example. 

These are just six natural skincare ingredients that you can use. There are others that are equally beneficial as these ones. Don’t rely too much on the commercial products that are being sold today. Natural is always best when you want to care for your body.

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1. Retinoid creams

A host of over-the-counter products claim to help fight wrinkles. One option: topical retinoid (derived from vitamin A) creams; look for retinol in the ingredient list. You can buy an OTC retinoid for under $20. Dermatologists can prescribe stronger retinoid creams—like Retin-A—than what you’ll find on store shelves.

2. Over-the-counter peptide creams

Creams containing peptides—short snippets of linked amino acids—can be useful for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, but they haven’t been shown to work as well as retinoids. As skin ages, it loses collagen and becomes wrinkled and thin; creams containing peptides are supposed to encourage the skin to make new collagen. Peptides are found in a variety of products, from the inexpensive to the very expensive. Oil of Olay Regenerist (which costs less than $20) is as good as the pricey stuff.

3. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion uses tiny, fine particles or a very hard diamond-tipped wand to slough off cells from the top layer of the skin and encourage new skin growth. The procedure is usually not painful, though it can be uncomfortable, and it doesn’t require an anesthetic or recovery period; skin heals quickly. But you may require multiple procedures spaced a few weeks apart. The average cost of microdermabrasion was $164 in 2008, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. The effects can last between three and five days; then you’ll need another treatment. Because the benefits persist only briefly, some people may not find it worthwhile, she says.

4. Laser skin resurfacing

Laser resurfacing uses high-intensity light to zap and improve the look of wrinkles and scars by tightening loose skin. The effect of your treatment and recovery time vary. You may see redness from one day to two weeks, depending on how aggressive the treatment is, he says. The average cost of laser resurfacing was $2,669 in 2008, according to the AACS. The benefits of laser resurfacing usually last between two and five years.

5. Chemical peels

Used to address mild acne scars, age spots, dull skin texture, skin discoloration, or wrinkles around the eyes or mouth, chemical peels remove the outer layers of the skin and encourage the growth of new, smoother, more evenly colored skin. Depending on the peel’s intensity—which can range from superficial to medium to deep—it may cause reddening and peeling that can last up to several weeks. The average cost for chemical peels was $672 in 2008, according to the AACS. The benefits of superficial peels last about a month, while deep peels have results that can last several years.

6. Botox or Dysport

Injections of the now familiar Botox or of Dysport—which also contains botulism toxin and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in April—can paralyze tiny facial muscles, smoothing out the appearance of lines or wrinkles. The cost of Botox will vary depending on location and doctor, but it averages about $400. The effects of injections may last three to six months, depending on whether you’re a repeat customer.

7. Filler injections

Injections of fillers containing hyaluronic acid can fill in lines and wrinkles and add volume to skin. Hyaluronic acid is a “naturally occurring sugar that gets lost when you age,” and injecting it into wrinkles effectively plumps them up. The average cost of hyaluronic acid treatment was $589 in 2008, according to the AACS, and the effects generally last between six months and a year.

8. Cosmetic surgery

Lifting the skin on the face, neck, eyelids, and forehead can give a tighter appearance. What were once traditionally open procedures—with larger incisions—can now often be done endoscopically, with smaller incisions strategically placed in difficult-to-detect areas, such as under the hairline. The procedures can run a few thousand dollars; face-lifts were the most expensive cosmetic procedure in 2008, with an average cost of $7,007, according to the AACS. The effects of cosmetic surgery are somewhat permanent.

9. Try prevention

If all this sounds extreme (and expensive), remember that you can start immediately to prevent any further damage: Start wearing sunscreen every day. And none of these treatments or procedures are a substitute for healthful eating and regular physical activity. Some doctors will not perform surgery on patients who are so overweight that it might jeopardize post-surgical results. When patients who have a body mass index above 30 (that is, obese), for example, many doctors refer patients to a weight-loss clinic before they’ll operate.

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1. Short Natural Hair Texture

If you’ve spent decades struggling to tame your natural hair texture, now may be the time to set it free.  A close, curly crop is sophisticated and stylish, and will allow your hair to remain as healthy as possible, which is so important for older women. Keep coils consistent and springy with an anti-frizz curl gel that defines and provides strong curl definition.

2. Choppy Pixie Cut

If your hair is fine, this pixie haircut with punk rock attitude is for you.  Lots of layers throughout the entire cut will give your hair plenty of lift and volume.  And the short, messy bangs will give you a playful, youthful look.  You can blow-dry this style so it’s smooth, or you can simply work in some styling paste, lift and arrange your hair with your hands and let it dry naturally.

3. Smooth Pixie Cut

Nothing beats the ease of a short haircut, and this cute crop is probably the easiest hairstyle of them all.  And don’t think that just because it’s short, you don’t have styling options!  Hairstyling products like styling creams, pastes, gels and waxes let you create textures that range from smooth and sleek to piece-y or ruffled.

4.  Off-The-Face Soft Wavy Bob

Up and away are two words that can instantly erase years for older women.  In a short haircut like this, the soft waves are lifted and swept off the face.  The result is chic, feminine and flattering!  If your hair is naturally curly or wavy, apply a curl-enhancing formula to damp hair and dry it with a diffuser.  Once dry, use a small curling iron to refine your waves.  Direct all of your hair away from your face and leave the ends out of the iron for a modern look.

5. Modern Shag Haircut

Remember the shag haircut from the ‘70s?  Believe it or not, there’s an evolved version that is the perfect haircut for older women.  It has choppy layers that go from front to back with shorter layers and wispy bangs to frame the face.  When styling, use a small round brush to flip the layers upward for airy movement.

6. Layered Bob

Bring your bob up to date with lots of flirty layers.  Layers can start at the jaw, with shorter pieces around the face to keep hair full and lively.  Add sexy side-swept bangs for a coquettish touch. 

7. Textured Bob

Classic, one-length bobs can be severe, but a bob that’s gently texturized on the ends is a soft, flattering hairstyle for older women. Depending on how thick or fine your hair is, your hairstylist will cut  into the last few inches of your length with a razor or with the tips of the scissors to create lightweight, airy movement.  Another youthful feature?  Soft, side-sweeping bangs to frame your face and draw attention to eyes and cheekbones.

8. Sassy Bob

A cute bob with a short, choppy fringe and a few face-framing layers give you instant French flair! The shape is flirty and feminine, helps fine hair look fuller and is wonderfully easy to style.  Just dry with a round brush, bending the ends under, then mist with a light-holding hair spray to keep hair in place and resist flyaways.

9.  Classic Long Layers

If you’re an older woman and you have always worn your hair long and loose, changes in color and texture can make it difficult to make the transition to something more flattering as you mature.  Long layers and side-parted bangs at cheekbone level provide the perfect solution. You can still enjoy long hair, but the layers add bounce and fullness that lift your features and brighten your face. 

10. Long and Wavy

A great way to keep your hair length with age is to polish things up with beautiful waves.  Get your “Victoria’s Secret” on by curling your hair with a two-inch wide curling iron, focusing on the center and ends of each section.  Add glamour with a deep side part and try a rich, dramatic hue like copper or chestnut for stunning drama.

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