1. Try to use natural or organic products whenever possible.

2. Look for DSR (Dermal Surface Renewal technology), which assists in soothing out the age lines, crows feet, and general dullness.

3. Try finding products that have regisomes. These have qualities, among other things, to help rejuvenate your skin while sleeping.

4. Seek out products that contain Proteo-C as well as Proflavonol-T which offer protection from aging as a result of exposure to elements such as sun, pollution, and the overall environment.

5. When possible, use products that are free from pareben. Researchers are starting to find that parebens are found in benign as well as malignant human breast tumors. Parebens are found in many products used in daily living from soaps and shampoos. And though there is always debate in the medical community, its better to avoid certain ingredients.

6. Drink plenty of that good fashioned H-2-0 or water. This will hydrate your skin and hair and get rid of toxins out of your body. Drink plenty of water! Water hydrates skin and hair as well as flushes toxins out of the body.

7. Reduce stress! Do yoga, go jogging, take a time management course or whatever to help manage stress levels more efficiently. This will serve all areas of your life, not least of which your skin.

Following these general guidelines can save you time and money, as well as provide you with a personalized regimen that you can set and forget, and get on with the rest of your life.br
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Dry skin is characterized by roughness and tightness. There will also be flakes on the skin. This is especially seen on the face as this is the area most exposed to the sun. Skins on the shins, the hands, and the sides of the abdomen are also prone to dryness. In hot weather, it often peels off while cold weather tightens it up.

Genes being the culprit

Still, having dry skin can be really frustrating as some skins may crack because of the extreme dryness and there is actually nothing that we can do about it as it is inherited. All people and dermatologists can do is to control the dryness as much as they can.

Ichthyosis is the term used by skin experts for dry skin that is inherited while xerosis or asteatosis is the drying of skin in the later stages of life.

Although it is largely genetics, dry skin is often controlled through the use of moisturizers. This is actually one of the few essentials of skin care for all skin types but very crucial when it comes to people with dry skins. It helps the skin maintain its suppleness and moisture.

Choosing a moisturizer

When buying a moisturizer, the first thing that you should ask about the product is made for those with dry skin. Remember that moisturizers are used by all skin types. The formulation of each kind however will depend on the skin type for which it is made. It is important then that you buy a moisturizer that is manufactured specifically for the needs of a dry skin.

Vaselines and petrolatum are some of the most effective moisturizers in the market. They are however not often used especially on the face because both tend to be greasy on the skin.

Another are ointments, which like petrolatum, are also oil-based; moisturizing creams which contain oil and water; and lotions, which are the most popular because it can absorb quickly.br
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Dry skin is characterized by roughness and tightness. There will also be flakes on the skin. This is especially seen on the face as this is the area most exposed to the sun. Skins on the shins, the hands, and the sides of the abdomen are also prone to dryness. In hot weather, it often peels off while cold weather tightens it up.

Genes being the culprit

Still, having dry skin can be really frustrating as some skins may crack because of the extreme dryness and there is actually nothing that we can do about it as it is inherited. All people and dermatologists can do is to control the dryness as much as they can.

Ichthyosis is the term used by skin experts for dry skin that is inherited while xerosis or asteatosis is the drying of skin in the later stages of life.

Although it is largely genetics, dry skin is often controlled through the use of moisturizers. This is actually one of the few essentials of skin care for all skin types but very crucial when it comes to people with dry skins. It helps the skin maintain its suppleness and moisture.

Choosing a moisturizer

When buying a moisturizer, the first thing that you should ask about the product is made for those with dry skin. Remember that moisturizers are used by all skin types. The formulation of each kind however will depend on the skin type for which it is made. It is important then that you buy a moisturizer that is manufactured specifically for the needs of a dry skin.

Vaselines and petrolatum are some of the most effective moisturizers in the market. They are however not often used especially on the face because both tend to be greasy on the skin.

Another are ointments, which like petrolatum, are also oil-based; moisturizing creams which contain oil and water; and lotions, which are the most popular because it can absorb quickly./pbr
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The pH of normal skin ranges from 4 to 6.5, which is slightly acidic. This acidic environment is referred to as the skins acid mantle. It contains a number of different acids including lactic acid, amino acids and free fatty acids. One of the major functions of the acid mantle is to protect the skin and body from the absorption of bacteria. As bacteria cannot survive in an acidic environment, maintaining the correct level of acidity is vital.

If the acid mantle is disrupted, the skin also becomes more susceptible to damage. Although acid and alkaline are on opposite ends of the spectrum, either disrupts the pH and either can cause dry skin.

Alkaline stronger than pH 8 is very irritating to the skin and, unfortunately, the majority of skin care treatment products and household cleansers are far too alkaline. Most skin care soaps have a pH factor of 9 to 11 and many household cleansers range between 10 and 12. Oven cleaners come in around pH 13, which is why using rubber gloves is recommended. Some skin care treatment products are also too acidic. These products generally fall under the heading of peels and blemish or acne treatments and contain high concentrations of glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and so on.

When the acid mantle is disrupted by using skin care treatment that is too acid or alkaline, it takes about 14 hours for the skin to get back to normal. However, by that time weve usually used the products again so, in fact, the damage never really gets repaired. The result is apparently permanent dry skin.

Fortunately, the condition is not actually permanent and you can start improving it by reading product labels. Often a label will state the pH or describe the product as pH balanced which is supposed to denote a pH that approximates that of the skin - although, to be certain, I would look for the number, not just the pH balanced designation. Look for skin care treatment products that are between pH 4 and 7 and you will be on your way to preventing and treating dry skin.br
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Deciding on which skin care product to choose can be very overwhelming not to mention confusing, what with the hundreds of different types of skin care products available on the market today. The beauty product manufacturers must have every single type of skin care problem covered by now. So what is a person to do, how can one make this task less confusing, and frustrating, well it's really not as difficult as you imagine, for starters there are certain things that you can do that will narrow down your choices tremendously. Here are some tips to get you started.

In a previous article I addressed the factors contributing to the aging of our skin. In this article I want to address the more popular topic of stopping and/or reversing the aging of our skin. Of course there is no such thing as the long sought-never found Fountain-of-Youth, but that doesn't stop the claims of the modern day snake doctors.

There is no lack of products available to treat our skin. Some are "clinically proven" while others that have been around for ages have been proven through repeated use over long periods of time. Among the "clinically proven" we have alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids; probably the best known of the bunch and both used as "peels". Almost all of these products are acids,but I'm not sure that is relevant. Several of these substances act as bleaches to "whiten the skin. Some act as fillers. Some such as Retinol and the vitamins C, E, and K enhance the bodies ability to produce new skin and produce collagen and elastin. All of these work and most are safe except you do need to check the allergy info on any product you use, "clinically proven" or not.

"Clinically proven" excludes some really good stuff. Most everyone has heard of the enzyme CoQ10. The absence of this enzyme is a marker for aging so it makes sense to me to supplement it as we grow older. Collagen is used extensively by those seeking their elusive youth. Estrogen makes the news weekly. DHEA is one I have heard of ,but have found no research that impresses me. There is a lot of hype about green tea, but if it was good for your skin, seems to me all orientals would have great skin since they drink so much of it. Aloe Vera is a plant whose pulp has incredible healing power, especially in the case of burns. Tamanu oil is the South Pacific's answer to Aloe Vera and the Melanesians invented pretty skin. Mexico has a tree that produces a similar product, but I would never attempt to spell it. Coconut oil is a great moisturizer and smells as good as anything out there. Try a little Melanesian skin care and and dream of sandy beaches in exotic places.

I often wonder what the ancient Egyptians did to their dead. Imagine having great skin thousands of years after you're dead and buried. All natural substances for sure. Their living had to look fabulous.

I am James Mizzell, owner of "http://www.melanesianskincare.com and http://www.uniquegiftsandfigurines.com