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