So what results, are you looking for? (natural products are safe, budget wise, and work too!)
Most claims of improvement, firming and wrinkle loss are in most part accomplished with faster exfoliation (shedding of dead cells) from the visible part of the skin (Epidermis). New skin cells become flattened as they migrate up towards the visible skin surface from the basal layer. Normally, these flat rows of dead cells are slowly shed and replaced.
Faster exfoliation requires diminishing cell cohesion. Done naturally by applying ALPHAHYDROXY ACIDS (AHA’s), lactic, glycolic, tartaric, malic, citric, found in fruits, sour milk and wine. Example: “Nature’s Cottage Gentle Fruit Acid Peel”, or by a manufactured retinoic acid (Retin A).
“The AHA compounds, although not as well studied as Retin A for use as anti-wrinkling agents, have been around longer than retinoic acid and are better understood in general. They are associated with fewer side effects, virtually none, at concentrations used for anti-wrinkling preparations.” Quoted from “Beauty in Action”
Skin moisturizers sold with added retinoic acid take away user choice and with time could result in an over use of the synthetic exfoliate. Nature’s Cottage AHA’s (Gentle Fruit Acid Peel) on the other hand can be applied, separately, once or twice a week by choice. Then if used along with Nature’s Cottage natural Scrub, application of AHA reduced to once a month, with weekly Scrub and Clay Mask application.
A good natural Scrub contains pumice and oatmeal not manufactured with a plastic abrasion.
Skin becomes unattractive when affected by dehydration, very obvious under the eyes as fine crepe-like lines, lack of suppleness, being stiff rather than soft. Expression lines also will become permanent when surface skin is allowed to dehydrate over time. Whereas wrinkles occur with ageing, when the skin loses its elasticity and resilience. The fat pads in the skin shrink and fibres that attach skin to muscle weaken. With this sagging, wrinkles form. No cream on earth, whatever the cost is going to fix it. But your skin will still be attractive if you are regularly hydrating it with a natural moisturizer and nourishing it with the right natural oils and anti-oxidants. Whereas chemicals over long periods may age your visible skin.
Nature’s Cottage range of moisturizers allow for a healthy moisture and oil balance in different skin areas and in all age groups. The beginners’ basic pack for lifetime attractive skin is: cleanser, scrub, claymask and moisturiser.
This column recite from "The Sunday Telegraph" by health writer CLAIRWEAVER
EXPENSIVE luxury brands of anti-ageing face creams have been found to
do very little for women's skin, according to a damning new study.
But in a result that will be welcomed by thrifty shoppers, cheaper creams
have recorded benefits.
La Prairie Cellular cream, which sells for about $220 for 30ml in Australia,
was ranked in the bottom bracket of "slightly less effective" after testing.
Among the best were Olay Regenerist, which is more modestly priced around $30 to $35, and ROC RetinOx+, usually under $50. Consumer watchdog Choice issued the findings after assessing new research from France and the UK.
Choice spokeswoman Indira Naidoo said: "It is important for consumers to know that price isn't necessarily an indication of how a product will perform - more expenve doesn't necessarily mean a better result". A selection of popular creams and lotions was tested for 12 weeks on women aged between 30 and 70.
Strivectin-SD Intensive Concentrate for Existing Stretch Marks, a much-hyped product which costs more than $150, was only rated "average". Choice revealed the best ingredients for anti-ageing were Retin-A, alphahydroxy acids and sunscreen.
How and when do I use them?
I use the cleanser and scrub during a shower. I massage the cleanser (about the same amount as you would squeeze toothpaste to a brush) over a wet face, ears and neck. Then without washing off, in a circular motion massage a slightly less amount of scrub in a gritty circular motion over forehead, nose, ears, cheeks, chin and neck. Takes a few minutes to do a thorough job. Wash off.
Out of the shower, pat the face to dry, leaving the skin a little moist. Apply moisturiser to the whole face including ears and neck and finish, or a thin layer of claymask to the face and neck avoiding the eye and upper lip area. (This is because the skin is pulled as the mask dries). Allow the mask to dry naturally and when completely dry was it off and apply your moisturizer. If you were to use ALPHAHYDROXY ACIDS(Gentle Fruit Peel). It is applied between cleansing/drying the face and then using the scrub. Wash the fruit acids off and with the face wet work the scrub. Never apply scrub to dry skin.