Types Of Skin

7.Mature Skin: The skin gradually changes as you get older and to keep your skin looking its best, your skincare regimen should address the unique needs of each decade. Understanding the physiologic changes that are occurring in each decade can help you to better take care of your skin.

Characteristics Of Mature Skin:
If you’re in your twenties or thirties you maybe surprised to find yourself in this category – surely maturing means you’re in your forties? Well, not necessarily. What maturing skin means is that for some reason (be it sun damage, smoking, or high levels of stress) your skin is starting to ‘act old’ – and this may have nothing to do with what it says on your birth certificate. By ‘acting old’, we mean that your skin maybe starting to lose its natural glow or its elasticity. It’s likely to be developing more lines than you would like or becoming a slave to open pores. These things can begin as early as your mid-twenties or thirties (probably due to those trips to Spain as a child). However, you can slow them down.

Care For Mature Skin:
If you do have maturing skin you probably think cleansing is the least of your worries – after all, you’re past the greasy, spotty stage. However, cleansing the skin with the right products can actually help reduce some of the signs of ageing. Choose a cleanser that contains alpha or beta hydroxy acids, as these help increase cell replacement which slows on maturing skin, reducing its radiance; they also help clean and shrink open pores that become more noticeable as we age. The use of AHA / BHA cleansers also removes the need for a toner, which can dry maturing skin further. Once a week, use a gentle exfoliating scrub (or a peel-off face mask). This will remove dead cells and keep the skin glowing.
In terms of moisturizing, you should be aiming to replace oils and water (the more hydrated the skin is, the less noticeable lines and wrinkles are), so choose rich creams that provide oil and attract moisture to the skin. When applying moisturizer, don’t make the mistake of stopping when you get to your chin – the neck and chest are some of the first areas that show ageing, yet most of us ignore them. It will also help to choose products that incorporate age-fighting ingredients – like vitamin A (also referred to as retinols), vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, kinetin and copper. Which you choose is upto you, as they all do the same thing – fight molecules called free radicals that destroy healthy skin cells, collagen and elastin. Use these in your moisturizer or try serums which deliver intensive bursts of nutrients to the skin. And finally, always wear sunscreen. None of the rest is worth doing if you don’t – even in winter it can take just 20 minutes of unprotected exposure to damage the skin. To help ageing skin, your moisturizer must contain sunscreen of at least SPF 15.

Firming Facial For Maturing Skin:
This once-a-week facial hydrates intensely, but also uses massage techniques to boost circulation and tighten and firm the skin.
1. Cleanse the skin using a milky cleanser, applying it directly onto your face with your fingers. Leave it to sink in for a few seconds, then, using circular movements (always moving up the face), massage it in. Remove with cotton wool in the same fashion. This will increase circulation to the skin.
2. Starting at your chin, move around the edge of the jaw and face, lightly tapping the skin 10-20 times at points an inch apart. Do the same around the eyes. This will help boost circulation and reduce puffiness, creating a firmer look.
3. Apply an exfoliating mask. This will get rid of dead skin cells but is more hydrating than a facial scrub alone (try a peel-off cucumber mask ). Apply tightening cucumber pads (or slices of the real thing) to your eyes and relax. Rinse off, finishing by splashing the face 10-20 times with cold water. This boosts circulation, ready for the treatments to come.
4. Apply a vitamin serum, again using upward stroking movements but this time from the neck. Slap the underside of your chin 20 times.
5. Finish with a thick coat of rich moisturizer. Leave this to soak in for five minutes, then remove any excess with cotton wool.

Top Five Tips For Maturing Skin:
1. Rich moisturizers are great for maturing skin, but if you start to break out in spots, your moisturizer is too rich. Alternate with a lighter brand.
2. Don’t stop skincare at your chin – your neck gives away your age faster than your face ever can. Ditto your hands – always rub a little of whatever you’re using on your face on those too.
3. Use a special eye cream daily; eyes are the first place to show ageing and need specialist treatment.
4. Never drag the skin while removing make-up or putting on moisturizer. When the skin is already under threat from ageing, pulling or folding the skin adds to the pressure. Do everything lightly.
5. Boost your intake of antioxidant vitamins by aiming for seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day. These not only help fight ageing, but also help your skin to create its own sun protection, which will fight any UV rays that get through your sunscreen.

Homemade Treatments For Mature Skin:
1.Sugar Mask: Melt 2 tbsp sugar in 3 tbsp warm water (in neat form sugar granules can cause tiny tears in the skin, which allow moisture to leak out). Apply to the face, leave for five minutes, then very gently massage around the skin. Rinse well.
2.Oatmeal Honey Mask: Mix 1 Tbsp. rose clay, 1 Tbsp. finely ground oatmeal, 1 tsp. honey, 1 tsp. avocado or almond oil, 1 drop frankincense oil, 1 lavender oil, 1 drop rose oil and water to make a paste. Apply on face and neck and rinse after 15 minutes.
3.Olive and Lime Mask: Mix 2 tsp. olive oil and half tsp. lime juice. Wisk until it turns cloudy. Leave on all night or great for a 30 minute mask. You’ll be amazed at how much dirt it lifts.
4.Cleansing Mask: Combine 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/4 tsp coconut oil, 2 drops orange oil, 1 tbsp baking soda, 1/2 cup water, in a saucepan over low heat and bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and allow to cool. While stirring add 2 teaspoons honey slowly. This product will separate so always stir before use.
5. Firming Mask: Mix 1/2 cup chopped hearts of palm, 1/4 cup wheat germ, 1/4 cup powdered milk, 1/4 russet potato (do not peel), 1 tsp mint, 1/2 cucumber (do not peel), 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp coconut extract, 2 egg whites together in a blender on low speed. Using your fingers rub into your face and neck with a gentle circular motion. Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes then rinse off with warm water. You can use 2 or 3 times a week.
6.Moisturizing Mask: Heat 1 tsp rice bran oil, 1 tsp avocado oil, 1 tsp canola oil; 1 tsp walnut oil, 2 tsp lemon juice, 2 tsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp coconut oil, 1/4 tsp orange oil together in a small saucepan over low heat. Let the mixture cool then pour into a cosmetic bottle. Massage a few drops into your face and neck daily. This mixture will separate so shape well before using.

The Right Make-Up For Mature Skin:
1. Makeup goes on much easier after a firming mask has been used.
2. Before applying foundation, apply a light diffusing primer with a damp wedge sponge.
3. Since mature skin tends to be drier, choose a mousse or cream foundation, which will hydrate skin and avoid settling in fine lines. Choose a foundation with yellow undertones, which offers the most natural coverage. Pink-based foundations tend to look artificial.
4. Before applying eye shadow, use a light diffusing eyelid primer.