1) No Sun is FUN

You can still have fun in the sun by using a sunscreen with an SPF greater than 15, wearing protective clothing which shields you from the suns intensive rays, or simply avoiding the sun during the most damaging hours (usually 10am to 4pm)

2) No SMOKING

I realize I am usually preaching to the choir on this one but smoking can harm more than your lungs!  Smoking actually accelerates the aging process and increases wrinkles.  I know this isn’t an easy one.. but hey who doesn’t want to look 10 years younger!

3) Be GENTLE

This is the one I commonly mess up.  I used to love to sit in the bath tub for long hours in scalding water.  Boy was I wrong!  Limit your bath and showers to 15 minutes or less and only use warm water, otherwise you will be removing all of the oils from your skin. Also, try and avoid strong soaps and remember to pat dry in order to leave some moisture in your skin.

4) Befriend MOISTURIZERS

They provide an extra seal over your skin!

5) Shave CAREFULLY

Another one most people mess up.  First, be sure to soften the hair by using a warm wash cloth or only shave after a bath or shower. Second, be sure to lubricate using a high quality shaving cream. Next, make sure to use a clean, sharp razor! Then shave in the direction of the hair growth, not against it! Lastly, be sure to rinse your skin with warm water and pat dry.

I know some may look at these tips and say wow that is all I have to do for healthy skin…. NO, but it is a sure fire start on the right path!  Keep your skin healthy and post your tips in the comments section below.

Those who are fair-skinned and have freckles are usually at a much higher risk of getting skin cancer from the sun than those who are naturally darker-skinned.  Melanin is a pigment in skin that helps protect against UV radiation.  People with fair skin have less melanin, so they are more likely to freckle and burn.  This puts them at higher risk for skin cancer than their darker-skinner counterparts.  Those with many moles or a family history of skin cancer should talk to their doctor or dermatologist about regular skin cancer screenings.

It is also important to do regular exams on your kids and yourself.  Note the shape and size of any growing or new moles and see a doctor if you notice any change.  For more information on how to do a self skin cancer screening or what to look for during a self skin cancer screening, read Tips For Preventing Skin Cancer.

Studies show that children who use sunscreen develop fewer moles, which means it could decrease the risk of melanoma later in life.  Also, a history of five or moresevere sunburns before adolescence more than doubles the risk of developing melanoma as an adult.

Balancing an active life with avoiding the sun’s harmful rays may sound difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.  The American Cancer Society suggests this catch phrase: “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap!” – Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses.

A hat with a 2″-3″ brim is best because it protects the neck, ears, forehead, nose and scalp.  Use sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every 2 hours and after swimming and sweating.  Use sunscreen even on hazy orovercast days, and pit it on about 20-30 minutes before you go outside.

Types of Skin Cancer
A common misconception is that there in only one type of skin cancer.  However, there are many different types of skin cancer.

Melanoma Cancer is probably the most known and most contracted form of skin cancer.

Steps To Preventing Skin Cancer

Sometimes skin cancer cannot be prevented.  The next best thing is to catch it early.  When caught early enough skin cancer can be easy to remove, and chances of full recovery are best.  The best way to catch skin cancer in its early stages is to conduct a monthly examination of the body or “Mole Patrol” for spots of interest.

Many times people find a new spot on their bodies and assume it is a mole or age spot.  That is fine…but keep a close eye on it.  It it begins to grow rapidly or change color, seek medical attention.

How To Detect Skin Cancer

Detecting skin cancer requires that one be vigilant and alert.  It is unlikely that a menanoma will be detected without rigorous inspection.

The first thing to look for while on Mole Patrol is a new spot on the body.  Next, analyze it to see if it matches the following criteria:

1. Assymetry: It you were to disect the mole would both halves be identical??  Melanoma spots are NOT symetrical – they are uneven.
2. Examine The Border: The borders of early Melanoma tend not to be even.  They will most likely be notched or scalloped.
3. Color: Is the spot a solid color or a shade of two or three colors??  It is more than 1 color than it is likely to be melanoma skin cancer.
4. Diameter: Melanomas are usually larger in diameter than the size of a pencil eraser (1/4 inch or 6 mm), but may sometimes be smaller when first detected.
5. Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or elevation or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting may point to melanoma.

In short:

Benign (non-cancerous) – Symmetrical, Even Borders, One Shade of Color, Smaller than 1/4 inch.

Malignant (cancerous) – Asymmetrical, Uneven Borders, Several Colors or Shades of 1 Color, Larger than 1/4 inch.

You should also watch for the following skin changes:

If you find a spot on your body and you think it may be skin cancer, do not immediately begin to worry.  First, make an appointment to see a Dermatologist.  Many Dermatologists can tell immediately upon looking at a spot on the body how likely it is to be skin cancer.  You can find a certified physician in your area on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s website: www.skincancer.org.

Here’s a list of the ingredients in Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion and the affect they have on the skin:
Isopropyl Alcohol -  dissolves skin’s natural lipids, therefore very drying.

Deionized Water - Hydration

Calamine – a drying agent

Camphor – an anti-itch agent which can irritate the skin

Colloidal Sulfur – a keratolytic agent which means it can help exfoliate

Salicylic Acid - OTC approved acne fighting ingredient, but can be drying and irritating

Glycerine - humectant to bind moisture to the skin

Zinc Oxide – skin protectant

Titanium Dioxide and Talc - probably used to enhance a powdery feeling on skin. Titanium dioxide can be a sunblock if present in sufficient quantities

The combination of ingredients in the product is amazing.  The product is very drying in nature, and that is why you use such a small amount of the product and apply it directly to the pimple or blemish.  The severe drying properties help to eliminate the pimple and signs that it ever existed literally overnight!!

You may be a candidate for this product if you have teen acne, adult acne, periodic breakouts before a monthly period, or just an occasional pimple.  Anyone wanting to rid themselves of an unsightly whitehead can safely use this product.  I go through phases of wonderfully clear skin, and having a pimple here and there, so I keep a bottle of Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion handy at all times.  Just a little dab, that’s all you need.  Apply it to a pimple you see that has just begun to break the surface, and it will be gone or ALMOST gone by morning.

The drying lotion is to be applied TO THE PIMPLE ONLY before going to bed and after you have cleansed, toned and moisturized the area.  Simply put a small amount of the lotion on the pimple.  A cotton swab works great as an applicator.  Do not rub the lotion in.  Just let it dry and rinse it off the next morning.  NOTE:  Special care should be given to NOT shake the bottle; the pink colored sediment is what you want to apply to the pimple.

As an added benefit, the drying lotion can be applied to itchy skin as a result of insect bites and irritated skin caused by razor burn.

If you suffer from any type of acne, this is the product for you.

Learn more about Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion.  CLick HERE.

Cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturize – these are the absolute basics of good skin care, and the importance of each step will shift significantly depending upon the season.  In winter months moisturizing is key because having adequate moisture in the skin not only helps the skin to repair any damage, but it also helps to prevent damage caused by severe dryness.

In the summer months, however, our primary skin care focus switches from moisturization to exfoliation.  This is due to the spike in temperatures causing our body temperatures to rise and our oil glands to become more productive, producing excess amount of pore-clogging sediments.  Here is a fail-proof Summer skin care regimen to keep the skin of your face and body glowing well into the fall.

Step 1 – Cleanse.  Cleansing is always the first step to beautiful skin. Dirt, pollution, and oil produced by the body cling to the face and not only clog pores but create a dull residue.  Cleansing with an alcohol-free face wash is the best was to remove the garbage and prep the skin for steps 2-4.  In the winter months cleansing becomes less important, and one can get by with only cleansing every other day, due to the lack of humidity.  But in the Summer, cleansing becomes priority, and should be done at least once a day for dry and normal skin and twice a day for oily skin.

Step 2 – Exfoliate. Exfoliation is the way in which dead skin cells, which cause dullness, blotchiness, and variations in skin tone, are gently removed from the epidermis and allow the fresh new skin underneath to be exposed.  Be careful when exposing this newly exposed skin to the damaging rays of the sun.  By removing the protective, but unattractive layer of dead skin we are removing a natural protective shield.  Be sure to use sunblock at all times, whether you plan to be exposed directly to the sun or not.  The sun’s rays have a mysterious way of penetrating almost everything we think to be a “barrier”.

Exfoliation does not have to be a daily step in your skin care routine, as individuals skin cells die at different rates.  People with normal skin tones can get by with exfoliating two times per week in the spring and summer.  Also, if you have sensitive skin or are prone to acne breakouts, exfoliate at your own risk!!  Consider using an exfoliant made specifically for acne or sensitive skin.  Maky times the exfoliant property will be smaller more granulated than those for normal to oily skin, which tend to be larger pieces of sand or ground walnut.  The best type of exfoliant for all skin types is one that contains micro beads.

Check out Mario Badesuc this Spring and Summer for some absolutely flawless skin care products perfect for any climate.  He offers skin care packages perfect for each and every skin type.  Click HERE to visit his website!

Step 3 – Tone. Always, always, always tone your face after cleansing or exfoliating. Whichever step is last in your routine, tone when finished.  A great non-alcoholic toner will not only balance the ph (acid) levels in the skin, which can be askew after cleaning and exfoliating, but it will also close the pores, which were opened by cleansing, and they will be less suseptible to foreign pathogens being allowed to enter.  Toner can also be carried around in the summer to the beach, the pool, or an outdoor picnic, and applied as desired to ass moisture to the face.  It also has a cooling effect, which is always a nice break from the heat.

Step 4 – Moisturize. As mentioned earlier, moisturization in much more important in winter months than summer, however this is a step that absolutely cannot be skipped.  Be sure that your summer moisturizer contains a sunscreen with a high SPF, and one that is free of paba, jojoba oil, and lanolin oil.  These products will only clog pores causing breakouts and infections.

In the heat of the summer the best thing we can do for our complexion is to keep it as clean as possible. Breakout levels are higher in spring and summer months because our sebaceous glands are much more active then in the fall and winter.  Was your face often, and be sure to tone and use a moisturizer that contains sunscreen.  Apply is lightly to the skin.

Apply these tips, and miner changes to your daily skin care regimen and you will have a flawless, glowing complexion all summer long.

Check out Mario Badesuc this Spring and Summer for some absolutely flawless skin care products perfect for any climate.  He offers skin care packages perfect for each and every skin type.  Click HERE to visit his website!

Best used to treat acne and pimples, the drying lotion does exactly what the name implies, eliminates pimples and breakouts by drying them as you sleep.  Mario’s Drying Lotion also works well on itchy mosquito bites as well as ingrown hairs and razor burn caused by shaving.  Simply apply a small drop of the drying lotion to the affected area to experience the soothing power almost immediately.

I have a friend who is a HUGE fan of Mario Badescu’s skin care products.  And I asked him what he knew about Mario’s Drying Lotion.  He said, “Oh, the pink lotion?  I love it!!  Once I dropped the bottle on the floor and it broke.  I got down on my hands and knees trying to salvage what I could.  Scooping it back into what remained of the bottle.”  And this is a person that I cannot see getting on their hands and knees for anything!!  So, that is truly a compliment to Mario Badescu and his miracle drying lotion.

I have linked to Mario Badescu’s website so you can read  more about the drying lotion.  For only $17.00 you get a full 1 oz. bottle which will last you FOREVER!!  Literally all you do is apply a small drop to any pimples you see beginning to form before you go to bed, let the lotion dry on your skin, then remove in the morning when you wash your face.  You will see an immediate difference.  If the pimple has already come to a head the drying lotion will work wonders after only 1 night.  If the pimple is just forming, it may take 2 nights to see a huge improvement.

DRYING LOTION ON MARIO BADESCU’S WEBSITE.

Mario Badescu’s drying lotion can be used on any part of the body, not just the face.  If you are prone to breakouts on your chest, back, neck or any other place on your body you can use the drying lotion there.  That is what is so great about his product.  And you use such a little amount when you apply it, that it is the most inexpensive product that you can use to treat pimples and acne not just on your face, but your entire body.

facelift in a capsule

Tripeptinon by AminoGenesis is a new anti-again skincare product to the stars which uses the power of seventeen (17) essential amino acids that your skin needs in order to strengthen and heal itself.  Comprised of a tiny capsule, Tripeptinon was originally formulated for professional use in a clinical setting, but is now available to the public.

Tripeptinon by AminoGenesis actually works by strengthening the deep connective tissue of the face, rather than simply focusing on the surface skin.

Tripeptinon by AminoGenesis works in three (3) ways:

1) Hydrates.  Tripeptinon provides maximum hydration to the face.

2) Nourish.  Comprised of 17 essential amino acids, Tripeptinon provides the face the nourishment that it needs to repair itself.

3) Defend.  The AminoGenesis antioxidant defense system provides maximum protection to the face, to defend against free radicals.

Personal Review:  I gave this product to my friend Laura to try for 14 days to see if the product was worth the hype.  She reported back to me that Tripeptinon is a wonderful moisturizer.  Her face has never been more soft and supple.  From it’s morning application, Tripeptinon stayed with her all day, nourishing the deep layers of her face.

Laura went on to tell me that she was not thoroughly impressed with the anti-aging results after only 14 days, but she was willing to continue using the product.  After 45 days of use Laura told me that the product worked wonderfully!!  Still moisturizing, Laura loved the product and compared it to the expensive, department store products she used to use.  Laura recommends the 14 day trial with 4 stars.

Tripeptinon has been called a “Facelift in a Capsule“.

TRY Tripeptinon by AminoGenesis FREE for 14 days.  Click HERE to learn More.

There are many people who will go to the four corners of the earth looking for the Fountain of Youth, or for a magic new serum that will turn back the hands of time.  Almost all of us know someone like this.  The person who would rather sit in a doctors chair and be painfully injected with artificial ingredients, with the hopes of never having a natural smile again.

While some people take things to the extreme, others of us are looking for very similar results, but without all of the pain and side effects associated with medical cosmetic procedures.  Many times, searching for an alternative means spending large sums of money on high-end skin care products that tout themselves to do such miraculous things, such as:

1. Immediately reverse the signs of aging.
2. Visible look 10-15 years younger after just 1 application.
3. Return elasticity to the skin of the face and neck.

I know that there are people who are willing to spend $100+ for a single jar of miracle cream from the counters of Barneys and Saks because I was one of them.  And it always seemed that as much as I would hope and pray that the ingredients inside of that tiny little bottle would do to my aging skin what the marketing professionals who were hired by the company said they would do, to my deep disappointment they never did.

A couple of years ago I was visiting a dermatologist friend of mine who told me something profound.  She said exactly what I had thought for years, “There is usually no difference between a $10 bottle of wrinkle cream and a $100 bottle of wrinkle cream.  The only difference is that packaging.”  And she is so right.  It amazes me how many skin care companies in existence today sell the same product, which they purchase from a manufacturer, and simply replace the label with their own.  The ingredients are the same, but the packaging is a little different.

However, what I have discovered is that many things in life truly are free.  And that is one reason that I created this website.  There are so many companies out there who stand behind their products enough to have you try them before you buy them.  Here are a couple of offers that you can have delivered right to your door, free of charge, just by paying for the shipping.  I have tried each and every one of them and I stand behind them.

Try them for yourself.  What do you have to lose?  Except the wrinkles.

About the Author: Christina Smith is an anti-aging product enthusiast, and frequent contributor to SkinCareHelp.me.  She lives in New York.

Don’t Use Soap As Often. Hot, humid weather causes the oil glands to become over-productive, and that requires daily bathing in order to stay clean and fresh.  However, in the winter, oil glands are not as productive and we spend less time being active outdoors.  Therefore, depending upon each individual lifestyle, it may not be imperative to bathe daily with soap and exfoliating products.  Soap dries the skin, and exfoliating gels and loofahs will remove the dry skin, exposing new layers of the skin to the harsh elements, causing those to become dry, red, and itchy.

Eliminate Products Containing Alcohol. One of the best ways to keep your skin nourished and hydrated when the weather turns cold and brutal is to halt the use of all skin care products containing alcohol from your daily treatment.  Alcohol is a very harsh and drying product that can cause severe damage  the delicate skin of the face in Winter.  Only those with oily skin should consider using skin care products containing alcohol, and then, only in the spring and summer.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. The best way to help your skin battle the brutal elements of freezing temperatures and sub-zero winds is to keep it lubricated.  When the skin becomes dry, red, and itchy it is because it is craving moisture.  Moisture comes naturally, to some extent, in the hot, humid weather in spring and summer.  But winter will remove the moisture from your skin without even being exposed to the elements.  The air is so dry your skin cannot help but become prey.

Sleep With A Humidifier. It is impossible to keep humid air around you always in Winter.  However, when possible, bring the humid air to you.  Indulge yourself with a humidifyer.  If you do not have one you can achieve the same effects by boiling a pot of water on the stove.  Putting water vapor in the air will help keep your skin from becoming irritating.