How to Have Beautiful Skin at Any Age - Part 2

Tighten those trouble spots…on your face?

If you read my last blog you know about some of the things we can do to have beautiful skin at any age; eat our vegetables, drink plenty of water, eat less sugar and exercise. To obtain healthy, glowing skin you have to start on the inside. Beautiful skin begins with a good foundation which can only be achieved through good nutrition and exercise. If you follow the steps outlined in part 1 “congratulations!” you’re on your way to doing what you can to age gracefully.
In part 1, most of what was explained won’t be an interference with our busy lives. Incorporating raw veggies, more water and less sugar can easily be accomplished at mealtimes and by making better conscious decisions throughout the day. Exercise is a different animal. We see all the commercials on TV, ads in magazines, new releases on the movie racks at your favorite discount store all telling us to exercise. We know we should. We want to – really we do. We might even make a futile attempt for a week or two. Here’s how it goes (usually after you unpack last year’s Spring/Summer wardrobe and try to wear your favorite outfit): 1) Decision to exercise religiously. “I am going to do aerobics 5 days a week and resistance training 3” (we’re always gung-ho at this moment. You know the feeling, like you've just watched the series of Rocky movies!) 2) first week goes great, but you realize you’re going to have to work up to that rigorous schedule you laid out at the beginning. The first clue was when your husband had to literally roll you out of bed the next morning and it took you ten minutes to make that 5 step walk to the bathroom screaming in pain the while way! 3) The second week you only squeezed in 3 workouts. “I’ll do better next week” you promise yourself. 4) Winter has arrived and you promise to start a workout routine as you’re shoveling the snow! I always thought if I could just figure out some way to hire someone to do it for me yet I still reap the benefits –that would be perfect! But, until science comes up with how this can be done, we’re on our own. It is an achievable goal though if we just keep motivated. Hmmm…sounds like the topic for another blog.

Now I’m going to tell you your exercise routine isn’t complete without exercising your face! Just when you thought you had squeezed every spare moment out of your busy schedule to exercise your body. I know what you’re thinking “there’s not enough time as it is, there’s no way I can squeeze anymore time into a 24hr period”. Good news my fellow readers, the exercises I’m going to share with you you can do while reading my blog. Most everyone you talk to will agree with the information outlined in part 1 but there are some conflicting views on what I’m about to divulge to you in this section. Some suggest that facial exercises will cause wrinkles. I agree, but only if done incorrectly. Form is important, as with any exercise you attempt. Facial exercises should be done without creasing any area on your skin. I suggest when you start to look in the mirror while you are doing them to get your form down. When you feel comfortable you can perform the exercises correctly then you can do them anywhere. Here are some places I do mine: in the car, in the shower, working on my computer (working on the jowl area right now), watching TV, dusting, vacuuming, etc. Although these can be done anywhere, I recommend letting the family in on what you are doing first before they walk in on you and proceed to call 911 thinking you’re having serious issues with reality. My family is numb to my experiments. Seriously, when I am testing formulations for my skincare company, they are liable to see anything! I have to tell you the story of the day my husband wanted to surprise us and come home early. Boy, did I turn the tables around. That was the day I was testing 3 formulas for masques all at the same time. When he walked in the house, he thought we were being invaded by aliens! I guess it probably was a sight to see. Picture this: pink clay masque on the forehead, baby poop green on my right cheek, roman chamomile blue on the left. I was coming out of the bedroom and he was walking down the hall. We turned corners at the same time and almost ran into each other. He jumped back and gasped. I didn’t know your eyes could actually bulge out that far! I tried to tell him “hi” (just to let him know I was a friendly being) but couldn’t move my mouth so I could only give him the “nano, nano” gesture. The masques were dried and ready to be washed off so when we busted out in laughter I thought I was going to pull the skin off of my face. Painful I tell you. If only we had caught it on video we were a sure win for America’s Funniest Videos. After that, anything else I do will be anti-climactic I’m sure.

Facial exercises are designed to tone the underlying muscle tissue and therefore tighten the skin on top. They are also meant to increase the oxygen flow to the area being worked (same premise as body workouts). As an added bonus, more oxygen flowing to this region helps to diminish that “dull” look, which is so common with aging, and maintain a brighter complexion. Like any other workout, these exercises must be done on a regular basis to achieve and maintain your results. You can perform these exercises daily (minimum of every other day) for at least the first two months then, you can drop down to 3 times a week. Please understand at the onset, you will not achieve the results you would with cosmetic surgery but, with diligence, you can take years off your looks and help slowdown the aging process. The great part about starting a facial exercise routine is the cost - $0.00 - no special equipment, no expensive gym membership and no Dr’s appointments. Remember to start these exercises while looking in the mirror until you get the correct form and besides, who couldn’t use a good laugh?
Note: All the exercises listed below should not be performed with people suffering with TMJ.

I pondered over whether or not to use video to demonstrate these exercises but after much consideration I voted against it. The reason: it’s one thing to make a fool of yourself in front of family, it’s quite another in cyberspace! Enjoy. Let me know what improvements you are seeing

Now, let’s start pumping up the volume…in those cheeks!
Keeping your teeth and lips closed, blow air under your top lip and hold for 15 counts. Move the air to your lower lip and hold for 15 counts. Move the air to your left cheek for 15 counts and follow with your right cheek for 15counts. Relax. Repeat 5 times.

· Lips closed, smile a relaxed smile then suck your cheeks in toward your teeth. Hold this position for 15 counts. Relax. Repeat 10 times.

· Lips closed, smile big as you can and turn up the corners of your mouth. While doing this, wrinkle up your nose. You should notice your cheek muscles move slightly upward. Keep this position for 5 counts. Relax. Repeat 10 times.

For Under eyes and eyelids
· This exercise for the muscles that surround the eyes and should not be done while driving! Sit upright and relax with your eyes closed. While keeping your eyes closed look down and then up as far as possible. Repeat 5 times.

· Sit upright and relaxed with your eyes open. Lift your eyebrows as far as possible. Keeping your eyebrows in this position, try to bring your top and bottom eyelids together. Do not bring your top eyelid all the way down to close the eye. The object here is to try to make the eyelids meet in the middle. Repeat 15 times.

· Put 3 fingers on each side of your face on your temples. Slightly pull up and back. This will put tension on the muscles that surround the eyes. Now, close your eyes tightly. Hold this position for 10 counts. Relax. Repeat 20 times

For Neck and jowl areas

· Lips are slightly apart. Stick out your tongue as far as you can. Now try to touch your nose with your tongue. Anyone who actually does touch their nose with their tongue, please let us all know! Hold for 10 counts. Relax. Repeat 15 times.

· Lips are slightly apart. Stick out your bottom chin as far as you can. Leaving your jaw in this position, smile as hard as you can (skin should be tight against your chin at this point). Hold for 10 counts. Relax. Repeat 15 times.

There you go! There are many more exercises in my arsenal but these should give you a good rounded routine. Remember, like any exercise program – the more you give, the more you get. I hope you enjoy these exercises and share with us your results, other exercises, even pictures!
Stay tuned for part 3
Sherri for Skin eScentuals, LLC
www.skinscentuals.com

How to have Beautiful, Radiant Skin at any age! Part 1

When looking at your favorite beauty magazine we all have to check out the latest advertisements. We’re all secretly looking for that magical moisturizer, foundation or pill that promises to keep us forever young. It seems like today, especially, around every corner, the next turn of the page, or the next irritating pop-up ad on the internet, we are bombarded by the newest discoveries of the fountain of youth. Wouldn’t that be the discovery of the century? Just take one pill, or slather on this cream at night and poof you wake up the next morning with 20yr old skin again!
Everyone, no matter what age they are, really wants to look as flawless as those beautiful models gracing every page! Not an imperfection in sight – no dark circles – no cellulite – no lines – no age spots – perfect hair. Even though we know deep down the perfect picture we are seeing was created by a zillion professionals, we want to look just like that.
Well, maybe someday they’ll find that magic pill but for now, short of cosmetic surgery, it takes work. Don’t get me wrong, there are things out there to help us on our way but you still have to put in the effort if you want to keep your skin looking the best it can be whatever your age. Here are a few things we can do to help us put our Best Face Forward:


Eat your veggies! First of all, our diet is an important factor in how healthy our skin looks. Your Mom always told you to eat your vegetables. Well, she was right. Vegetables not only help you stay healthy on the inside, but they help your skin maintain its healthy glow on the outside. I met an Asian woman about 15 yrs ago who owned a health food store. She was a petite 4’ 10’’, always had a smile on her face and beautiful skin. I asked what her secret was and she said about 10yrs earlier, she had sinus problems, aching muscles and was tired all the time. She woke up one day and decided she was tired of being sick and tired! So she decided to take matters into her own hands. She said when she goes grocery shopping; she never leaves the produce department. Period. When she “cooks” for dinner, it comprises of a buffet of raw fruits and vegetables (organic when possible). When I met her, she had been maintaining this regimen for about 10yrs. This once - tired all the time - woman had just returned from a visit from her home town where she competed and won the national title for Tia Chi. Did I mention she was 55 yrs old! What a testimony. Try incorporating raw vegetables at least 3 times a week into your diet. They are packed full of vitamins and nutrients, take less time to prepare and your skin will love them.


WATER! WATER! WATER! And did I say water? Did you know that our skin is the largest organ in the body and acts as a storage unit for lipids and water? Since water makes up approximately 70% of our bodies weight it is vital for maintaining healthy body functions including keeping our skin hydrated. Water helps our bodies flush out impurities which we encounter on a daily basis. Whether it is environmental pollution, medications or daily stress, water is used by our bodies to rid these impurities from us. Drinking plenty of fluids is an essential contributor in our overall health and well being. The rule of thumb is half your weight in ounces per day. (example: a 150 lb woman would need to consume 75 ounces of water p/day. 150/2=75). Try adding half of a fresh squeezed lemon in 1 gal of water to give your liver an extra boost in detoxifying your body. Put in the refrigerator and drink throughout the day.

Curb those urges for sweets! As we age, our skin loses elasticity becomes dull and slows down in the natural exfoliation process. Sugar can speed up this process. It is believed to be one of the main causes of premature aging. Sugar is said to cause inflammation in all organ systems, including the skin. One of the reasons inflammation occurs is from a rapid rise in blood sugar, which causes biochemical changes in the cell that result in accelerated aging. When blood sugar goes up rapidly, sugar can attach itself to collagen in a process called "glycation," making the skin stiff and inflexible. Losing this elastic resilience of young skin will give you deep wrinkles and make you look old. Next time you need a sugar fix, try slathering it on in a body scrub instead. Sugar is also a natural exfoliant and will help to slough off those old dead skin cells to reveal newer, healthier looking skin.

Exercise! All types of exercise are great for getting that mojo going. Whether you pump it up at the gym, step it up at your favorite step class or walk it off at the nearest track, do some kind of exercise at least 30 minutes a day. This doesn’t mean you have push yourself until the lady next to you is wondering whether or not to call the paramedics. Just get moving. When you vacuum try putting on your favorite up-beat cd, stick in the headphones and have some fun. When you have that dust rag in your hands, instead of just dusting, do some stretching. Try taking the steps to that doctor’s visit instead of the elevator and park in the last spot in the parking lot and walk in instead of riding around until a spot next to the door comes open. Exercising doesn’t have to be a chore, make it fun!
When we think about exercising, we think of the usual walking, jogging, aerobics, resistance training, etc. but what about our faces? Check out my next blog and I’ll teach you some exercises you can do to tighten those trouble spots……on your face.



In the meantime..... tell us what you do to keep your Best Face Forward!
Skin eScentuals, LLC