Now that Christmas is over, it's time to make another list and check it twice. In 2013, you can make it happen when it comes to your beauty regime.
Want younger looking skin? (Who doesn't?) Crave some cures for dry facial skin in the harsh winter months? Need to get rid of wrinkles or move to outer Mongolia?
It's time to go to the experts because all of the above is attainable with just a little bit of work and knowledge.
Terese Linke knows that glowing skin and midlife go together ..if you know a few trade secrets.
Younger looking, healthy, glowing skin is within your grasp at any age, and this isn't limited to the skin surface from the neck up.
Want the secret?
Terese is the global education and spa training director for Amala's natural skin care. As a holiday treat, she was happy to tell us what we're doing right…and wrong in the name of amazing over 40 skin. She has some great ways to achieve younger looking skin and provides ways and cures for dry facial skin. If you follow these tips you will also get rid of wrinkles while preventing their cousins and friends from moving into the neighborhood.
In 2013 Make It Happen!
First, tell us what many women over 40 do wrong when it comes to their skin care?
Linke: "Using hot water is very drying for your skin, particularly in the dry winter months. This goes not just for our faces, but also for our bodies. We may like to take hot, steamy showers in the cold winter months, but this removes protective oils that the skin naturally produces."
Any other skin faux pas?
Linke: We use harsh soaps on our faces and bodies. The protective oils are no longer there, so the water escapes from our skin. I'd suggest using Amala's Purifying Gel Cleanser on the face or Amala's Detoxifying Body Cleanse as your body cleanser in the shower. Remember to never use hot water on the face or on the body."
What are your best de-aging tips for women over 40 when it comes to their skin besides drinking tons of water and using daily sunscreen?
Linke: "I suggest cleansing the skin every night with a natural cleansing milk whether you wear makeup or not. It's a very important rule to never forget. Also, regular exfoliating the skin with a natural, gentle, creamy exfoliator – at least once or twice per week—is good. But too much exfoliating with a harsh, aggressive exfoliator is not good for the skin and can make the skin sensitive and irritated. As we age, our skin loses up to one percent of its youthful density and cushion each year, so using a good, effective, natural moisturizer day and night is an absolute must! Amala's Advanced Firming Complex contains natural hyaluronic acid, which targets lines and wrinkles by infusing hydration, firming and redensifying thinning skin."
How often should women exfoliate?
Linke: "There is a lot that goes into keeping your skin healthy and part of the process is the simple step of exfoliation that removes the dead skin cells from the surface of the face and the body. Exfoliation is an important process, as sometimes the dead skin cells don't sloth off as well as they should. They can end up clogging the pores, leading to breakouts. Exfoliation also helps to reveal a fresh layer of new skin that easily and more effectively absorbs your daily moisturizer far better.
Always be sure you use a gentle exfoliator and never a harsh one, as they can damage and mark the skin over time. Amala's face polishes are very gentle and non-drying. They're safe to use two or three times per week on damp skin. If you are slightly sensitive, exfoliating the skin once a week is usually sufficient.
You're a big advocating of drying brushing your body. Why?
Linke: "Dry body brushing can be very effective to help shed dead skin cells, which can help improve the texture of the skin. It also helps your skin to absorb nutrients from your natural moisturizer by eliminating clogged pores. Dry brushing also increases circulation to the skin and encourages our body's discharge of metabolic wastes. This aids the lymphatic drainage of the whole body. Dry body brushing an also help to tighten the skin because it increases blood flow. This can all assist in lessening the appearance of cellulite.
Are you a fan of any of the DIY home beauty treatments for over 40 skin?
Linke: "I tell clients to apply a lukewarm compress to the skin after cleansing and before moisturizing. This helps your moisturizers to penetrate more effectively into the skin."
Any tips that women can use on their men over 40 for their skin?
Linke: "Men need to care for their skin just as much as women do. One of the most important things men need to avoid on their skin is regular soap and hot water. Soap is so harsh and drying on their skin and the hot water causes their skin to dry out even more, particularly in the winter months. I'd suggest the Amala Purifying Gel Cleanser as the perfect cleanser for men's skin. It is a light foaming gel cleanser that removes pour-clogging impurities and leaves the skin feeling clean and hydrated with a fresh matte appearance. Men also need to moisturize night and day after their cleansing. This is also a very important step to help slow down the aging process and leave their skin looking and feeling more youthful and fresh. If their skin is very dry, I suggest the Amala Rejuvenating Face Cream. If their skin is more on the oily side or they prefer a light texture cleanser, I suggest the Purifying Gel Moisturizer.
