What Have You Done for Your Skin Lately

As Summer approaches, it is at this time that many women begin thinking about their skin; how to protect it from the sun and elements, and how to slow down the aging process. They believe that skin damage only occurs with intense periods of exposure to the sun and tanning beds. What most women do not realize, is that our skin is something that we need to focus on every day of the year for optimal skin health. The truth is that most sun damage occurs with the incidental sun exposure we receive when we jog, walk, tend to our garden or travel to work. 20 minutes a day of this type of unprotected sun exposure is equal to two weeks per year. While the statistics are staggering, there are ways in which we can ensure our skin is protected every single day.

Good Habits

It is never too early to begin a skin care regimen. I remember many years ago as a teen, I adopted a daily skin care routine. My friends teased me, and said I was too young to be concerned about my skin, that I should wait until I was much older to begin thinking about it. Today, I can see that the choice I made years ago made a big difference in my skin's appearance and overall health. The sun we have today is not the same sun we enjoyed as a child. The rays are more intense due to the ongoing depletion on the ozone layer that at one time protected us.

What Can You Do?

The most obvious answer to this question is to use sunscreen daily. Nearly every moisturizer on the market contains sunscreen. If yours doesn't, you might want to rethink the product you are using. An SPF of 30 is recommended. If you have oily or combination skin, you can find an oil-free product that won't add additional oils to your skin. With this being said, a moisturizer is only as good as the condition of the skin in which it is applied. There is no benefit in applying a moisturizer to skin that is covered in dead skin cells. What does this mean? Our skin automatically renews itself by producing new skin cells about every three days. To get the maximum benefit of your moisturizer, you need to be sure that you are moisturizing the new skin cells. Your moisturizer will not penetrate as well through old skin cells. How can you be sure you are moisturizing new skin? By using a facial scrub at least twice per week. When we think of the word scrub, we automatically think of the way in which we scrub our dishes. When your scrub your skin, you need to be sure you are doing so gently, as over scrubbing can cause irritation and stretch the skin which can cause wrinkles down the road.

Beyond Skin Care

There are other less obvious ways in which you can be sure to take care of your skin. Think about your makeup bag or drawer. How old are the products you are using? What exactly are the shelf lives on these products? With KmS Mineral Essentials cosmetic powders, you can be sure those products can last a lifetime. Our powder products are organic and natural and do not contain preservatives that affect the shelf life of most products on the market. With this being said, keep in mind that when you use your powder products wet, bacteria will grow due to the moisture added after use. If you choose to use your product wet, you will want to use a clean plate, saucer or the Minerals Mate Palette to apply the product, and then clean it immediately afterward, including the brush you use.

Now, on to the other products in your bag. Keep an eye on your mascara, lip and eye pencils. Mascara has an antibacterial agent that lasts about 6-8 weeks. As time goes on, bacteria can most likely begin to breed. If you notice a change in the smell or the consistency of your mascara, chances are it has reached the point in which further use could cause an eye infection. The same goes for liquid eyeliner and cream blush. Lipsticks can last as long as 1-2 years, providing there is no odd odor. A pencil lip and eyeliner can be used up to 3 years if sharpened after each use. Push up liners and pencils are only good for up to one year. How can you be sure your cosmetics are safe to use? By doing a regular inventory of those products. If you can't remember the last time you have used them, chances are it is over it's shelf life and should be disposed.

Cosmetic brushes can be used up to 3 years providing they are cleaned thoroughly each month with a mild cleanser such as baby shampoo. Be sure to rinse your brushes out completely until the water runs clear, then flatten the bristles with a clean towel and let them air dry overnight. If you use a foundation brush wet, you will want to be sure it is cleaned in this manner after each use.

By adopting these beauty habits above, you will be well on your way to happy, healthy, younger looking skin!

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Kristi Shannon-Brooks is the CEO and Founder of Kms Mineral Essentials Cosmetics, a leader in the mineral makeup industry. She created KmS to fill a void in the marketplace so that women with the most sensitive skin could enjoy the benefits of wearing mineral makeup. Kristi lives in Western Michigan with her husband, Phil. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and wine tasting.

You can view her website at http://www.kmsmineralessentials.com

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Comment by Kristi w/ KmS Mineral Essentials on April 24, 2011 at 12:35pm: I agree. My eyes are very sensitive these days. Good news about the fish oil and flax seed. Thanks Dede!

Comment by Dede on April 20, 2011 at 9:53am: I have found out the hard way about mascara and I think as we get older our eyes and skin become more sensitive as they are normally much drier!! I also take 2 fish oil capsules daily and was told to add flax seed by my eye doctor to it to keep my eyes not only lubricated but with the flax seed it is supposed to retain the moisture.