Aging Gracefully Inside and Out

Whether you’ve noticed the signs of aging in family and friends, or acknowledged how it affects your own mind and body, getting older is an unavoidable part of life. And while Ponce de Leon never found the Fountain of Youth, daily preventative measures can be taken to help you age beautifully both inside and out.

The most frequently recognized signs of aging include extrinsic indicators such as gray hair and wrinkles. But have you ever stopped to think about other factors that influence how young we feel and how young others perceive us to be? Here are some tips on how to take aging in stride and help you look and feel your youngest:

* Heart-felt: Choosing a heart-healthy diet may not only lengthen your lifespan by helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, it will also help you age healthier. The FDA recommends eating well-balanced meals low in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt. Additionally, heart-friendly foods, especially those high in fiber, such as salmon, soy protein, oatmeal and spinach, will help you stay “young at heart.”

* Smile On: Tooth stains and red gums can age the appearance of your smile and impact its health. In fact, gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease that affects one out of every two adults, can be a major cause behind prematurely aging smiles. “The good news is that it’s preventable,” says Dr. Jamie Sands, D.D.S. “I recommend using Crest Pro-Health toothpaste, which helps stop gingivitis before it starts and protects all these areas dentists check most — plaque, cavities, tartar, sensitivity and stains and a power toothbrush, such as Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean, which reduces up to two times more plaque than a manual brush.”

* Work It: No one is too old to reap the benefits of exercise. Regular physical activity provides endless advantages — from reducing the risk of osteoporosis to increased energy and feelings of well-being — even a brisk 20-minute walk several times a week can improve your overall health.

* Skin Deep: Although genes are a major factor in how skin ages, a great deal of visible aging also stems from environmental factors. Just a few minutes of sun exposure a day can cause noticeable changes to the skin, such as freckles, age spots, spider veins, fine wrinkles, and of course, skin cancer. To maintain your youngest-looking skin, avoid deliberate sun exposure, wear protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat, and apply sunscreen, preferably SPF 15 or higher, year-round.

* Thought-provoking: Studies suggests that people who engage in logic-based activities, such as crossword puzzles and games that involve strategy like Scrabble or chess, are less likely to develop memory loss. Not only will these hobbies keep your vision and hand-eye coordination sharp, but such challenges also help to keep your mind active.

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Don’t Forget Your Neck

 

You focus so much time trying to slow the inevitable signs of aging on your face.  Yet, you forget to address the exposed skin of your neck and décolleté. And, if you haven’t heard, the best way to tell a woman’s true age is by taking a peek at her neck.  It’s time to address that “tell-all” with these neck and chest targeting products.

 

Wei East China Herbal Youth Recaptured Serum  

Concentrated Chinese herbal extracts nourish the neck, sealing in moisture in this oil-free, acid-free skin rejuvenating serum.

 

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Neck Serum

Organic and biodynamically farmed flowers, plants, and herbs are delicately combined in the formulation of this lightweight, intense, hydrating gel to help minimize the visible signs of aging on the neck and décolletage.

 

Biotone Facial Therapy Massage Creme with Bio-Firming Complex

is boosted with natural botanicals of white peach, pineapple enzyme, quince, and mango to balance out your skin. Start on your face and shimmy it down to your décolleté for a consistently smooth, toned, and firm face and neck.

 

Perfect Cleavage from This Works

Made with larch extract and pomegranate oil, and infused with rose, tonka bean, and frankincense essential oils, Perfect Cleavage helps nourish, tighten and add a touch of shimmer to the neck and chest, without the use of mineral oils, synthetic fragrance or color,  GMO ingredients, sulphates, or parabens.

 

Apivita Aromatherapy Skin Supplement Neck Cream

This unique formula deeply nourishes the skin, energizing and strengthening it deep below the surface area with antioxidant-rich grapeseed, olive oil, and green tea.

 

Chinese medicine: The secret to super skin?

 

 

It’s not yet May and I’ve already found my favorite all-natural beauty product of 2008. Held in a simple one-ounce pump bottle emblazoned with a tiny Chinese character, it dominates my bathroom cabinet with its moisturizing prowess and transforms my dehydrated postnatal skin into a thing of supple beauty with a few powerful drops.

 

And just as a novel has to be unusually spectacular to hold my attention these days, my number-one moisturizer must surprise and delight me while containing nothing but the finest of organic ingredients.

 

Created by Beth Hooper and Laura Kauffmann — acupuncturists and Chinese herbalists — She Essential Beauty’s facial serum is the next generation of skin care. The women behind She (pronounced “shay”) have created a line of moisturizing and cleansing products that are based on the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which means that my prized facial serum is not only made from the best organic and all-natural ingredients, but also includes mother-of-pearl, which the Chinese have used for centuries to enhance the skin’s beauty.

 

Since 2006, Hooper and Kauffmann have been lovingly handcrafting their TCM-influenced collection of products, including sugar scrubs, washing grains, bath salts, lip balm and the delectable facial serum (not a lotion, not an oil, but an immensely effective moisturizer for face, throat, even under eyes). Their products use Chinese herbs like the bo he found in the Lemongrass-Mint Sugar Scrub, and dang gui, which is tucked into the herbal lip balm. (The former herb helps to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain, while the latter aids in regenerating new skin cells.)

 

For the uninitiated, Hooper and Kauffmann have distilled TCM into a palatable definition: “The modern practice of ancient healing techniques from China, whose tradition began over 3,000 years ago, TCM owes its foundation to four modalities which comprise a holistic medical system: acupuncture, dietary therapy, qi gong and Chinese herbal medicine.” In developing their line of sumptuous skin care products the ladies turned to “Mei Rong,” the cosmetology section of TCM dedicated to maintaining the skin’s youth and well-being. Hooper recently took some time to tell me all about it.

 

What inspired you to start a skin care line based on TCM?

Both my partner and I are Chinese medicine practitioners (certified herbalists and licensed acupuncturists). Our skin was changing as we got older, and when we looked at our options for skin care there were not enough organic alternatives. We were looking for products that contained no parabens or synthetics. It then occurred to us that we could do so much if we used Chinese herbs in products. Occasionally a company would throw ginger in something, but no one was using Chinese herbs in a broad scale in skin care products. At first we wanted our products for ourselves, and then we wanted to share them with others.

 

Most Chinese herbs are used for dermatological issues — they are medicinally focused — but we knew that wouldn’t have an appeal for the public. We wanted to create something that wasn’t just functional but also very luxurious for people to use. “She” in Chinese means luxury.

 

How do you follow the philosophy of Chinese medicine in your products?

As we age we lose our yin (the moist substance, also known as the female part of our body) and our skin starts to dry out. We looked for essential oils that will nourish the yin. Our products are designed for women who are getting a little older and starting to see fine lines and wrinkles. [We include] herbs that have anti-inflammatory properties, pore-tightening qualities, herbs that move chi (energy) and that are calming and balancing. It’s about finding the best herbs and applying them appropriately. We aim to calm the spirit, working on you on a more mental level — it’s beauty from the inside out.

 

What’s your favorite product?

The facial serum — it contains mother-of-pearl, carrot seed oil, and is anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant and wrinkle reducer. You put it on and your skin glows. It’s our number-one seller. [Note to reader: I was a fan of the facial serum before Beth told me it was her favorite product. Now I’m even more convinced.] And the washing grains — they are a gentle exfoliant and such a good antioxidant, with green tea extract and oatmeal and honey. The skin is delicate, particularly the area around the eye. You can use an oatmeal honey-based scrub and it will get dead skin cells off without making it red or irritated.

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Do-it-yourself beauty tips, starring sugar, honey and avocados

 

While copious amounts of shampoos, conditioners, face scrubs and body soaps fill the aisles of CVS, it is quite possible that the incomprehensible ingredients listed on the back of the bottle came from nuclear waste. Behentrimonium chloride? Hydroxyethyl palmitamide? Seriously?

 

Placing blind faith in cosmetics companies seems risky these days, especially after reports of lead-containing lipstick and companies fighting laws that mandate reporting cancer-causing chemicals. Instead of wasting your time wondering what potentially dangerous chemicals you are lathering on your body, try these homemade beauty items, guaranteed to contain natural, non-toxic ingredients that can be found in any kitchen or grocery store.

Soften your skin

 

What you need:

 

    * Natural or raw sugar

    * Olive oil

    * Honey

    * Lemon or orange juice

 

Benefit Boutique proprietor Christian VanBrimmer recommends this sugar scrub for dry face or skin. If you’re using it on the body, mix olive oil with sugar until you achieve a liquid, grainy consistency. For the face, add small amounts of olive oil, honey and lemon juice for a scrub that is “super easy, super fabulous and super simple,” VanBrimmer said.

Diminish your pores

 

What you need:

 

    * Honey

    * Egg whites

 

If your pores resemble tiny donuts, use this mixture to minimize their appearance. Separate the white from the egg, and mix in a spoonful of honey. Apply the mixture evenly to your face. Once it has dried, use cold water to remove it. Repeat every two weeks to reduce pore size and even out skin tone.

Rejuvenate your hair

 

What you need:

 

    * Olive oil

    * Honey

    * Plastic bathing cap

    * Shampoo

 

Mix two tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of honey into a plastic bag. Place the bag into a cup of hot water. Once the mixture is warm, massage it into your hair and cover your head with a plastic cap. After 15 minutes, shampoo your hair as normal. This hot oil treatment will restore your hair and leave your locks light and shiny.

Exfoliate your face

 

What you need:

 

    * Milk

    * Salt

 

In a bowl, thoroughly mix a half cup of milk and a half teaspoon of salt. Use a cotton ball to dab the mixture over the forehead and face. Leave it on for two to three minutes and re-apply. After the mixture is dry, rub your face in circular motions and then rinse. The salt exfoliates dead cells and the milk nourishes the skin, giving it a brighter and fresher sheen.

Deep-condition your hair

 

What you need:

 

    * Avocado

    * Mayonnaise

    * Olive oil

    * Plastic shower cap

 

Place a peeled, cored avocado, a quarter to half cup of mayonnaise (depending on hair length), and two tablespoons of oil in a bowl. Mix until smooth. Apply the mixture to your hair as you would conditioner and place a shower cap over your head. Let it sit in your hair for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse the mixture off in the shower.

 

This recipe will deep-condition your hair and make it strong and smooth.

Remove your hair’s excess product build-up

 

What you need:

 

    * Water

    * Vinegar

 

After repeated use, debris from hair products can build up at the roots of your hair, weakening it and preventing it from reaching its full potential. Combine one cup of water with a quarter cup of vinegar. After shampooing and conditioning, use this to rinse your hair to eliminate build-up.

 

Exfoliate your elbows and knees

 

What you need:

 

    * Ground coffee

    * Sugar

    * Vanilla extract

    * Olive oil

 

Mix a quarter cup of olive oil and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, mix a half cup of coffee grinds with a cup of sugar. Combine the two mixtures and blend them into a paste. Soften skin under warm water for five to ten minutes, and massage the scrub in small circles on dry or rough skin, and follow with a shower gel.

 

Note: Do not use this scrub on your face or any broken skin. Use once a week, unless you have particularly dry skin — then use it twice a week.

Other quick-fix remedies

 

Tea bags: VanBrimmer recommends using chamomile tea bags to de-puff the eye area. After brewing tea, place the used tea bags in the refrigerator and place them over the eyes the next morning.

 

Fresh fruits: Fruits, particularly strawberries, can be mashed and applied to the face to brighten the complexion.

 

Ice cubes: Combine one part milk with three parts water, and freeze; cover the frozen cube in a cloth, and rub that over your face to tighten pores and alleviate sunburns.

 

Cucumbers: They’re a quintessential beauty product, but deservingly so: Place a sliced cucumber over the eye for ten minutes to reduce undereye bags.

All-natural product lines

 

If you still prefer to buy your beauty products at the store, consider buying all-natural, chemical-free beauty products. Stella McCartney’s makeup line is all-natural and vegan, and Bare Escentuals is a mineral makeup line with no preservatives.