I was running some errands in the mall this summer and saw a woman who looked fairly young walking toward me. Her face was soft and smooth. Her skin fairly glowed.
But as she got closer, I glanced down.
Immediately, my opinion changed. “Well over 50,” I guessed… in spite of a face that said “mid-30s.”
Then I started looking at other women shopping there. There were several with youthful faces… but who gave away their real age with a quick downward glance.
The problem? Their necks. They were taking good care of the skin on their faces, but neglecting skin that’s just as delicate… and just as visible.
Chances are you use a gentle cleanser, a natural toner and a powerful moisturizer to keep your face looking young and fresh.
But what about the skin on your neck? This skin is as thin and delicate as the skin on your face. And it’s often exposed to harsh weather… pollutants… and even chemicals like chlorine in your water.
For a truly youthful look, expand your facial regimen to the tender skin on your neck and chest. It will make all the difference in your overall look. And unless you wear turtlenecks year-round, people will notice.
The best thing you can do for your skin is to keep it hydrated. Well-hydrated skin is softer and smoother… showing fewer lines and creases.
Nothing keeps you hydrated like old-fashioned water. For the maximum benefit, I suggest drinking about 2 liters of purified water every day. But the elements can take a real toll on you skin.
To help keep your skin cells hydrated, I suggest Nature’s moisturizer – hyaluronic acid (HLA). I call it “Nature’s moisturizer,” because it’s naturally present in all your skin cells… and it pulls moisture into your skin from inside and from outside your body. HLA promotes healing, too.1
Aloe vera and vegetable glycerine are two other natural moisturizers to look for.
You probably use a toner on your face before you moisturize. You should do the same for your neck and chest, too.
A toner should freshen and tighten up your skin. Most toners do it with alcohol. But believe me, there’s nothing age-defying about alcohol. It will dry your skin out and leave you looking older instead of younger.
For a toner that will leave your neck looking smoother, younger and more vital, you can’t beat CoQ10. Here’s why…
Your skin cells use CoQ10 to make the energy they need for everything they do. But as you get older, your body makes less and less of this nutrient. That’s one reason your skin starts to look older, drier and more wrinkled.
But when you put CoQ10 on your skin, it absorbs quickly into the cells… and has an amazing effect. As your skin cells start to absorb the CoQ10, they start pumping out energy and acting like younger cells again.2
And this skin doesn’t just act younger… it looks younger, too. Because CoQ10 helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.3 Which means your neck could easily look as young as your face.
Of course, your cleanser is your skin’s first – and best – line of defense. And that’s where most skin regimens go wrong.
You see, most cleansers contain sodium lauryl sulfate – SLS – and SLS is a skin irritant. Even worse, SLS robs your skin of moisture. In a California study, SLS made women’s skin look red and irritated and increased water loss.4 Do you really want to “cleanse” your skin with something like that?
That’s why a gentle, nourishing cleanser is so important. To keep the skin on your face and neck looking younger, use a gentle cleanser that supports healthier skin.
For example, rose hip oil promotes the production of collagen – one of the basic building blocks of healthy skin.5 So rose hip oil doesn’t just gently wash away impurities… it helps wash away the effects of years of wear and tear.
Extending your skin care regimen to your neck and chest makes all the difference. It doesn’t matter how young your face looks, if your neck gives away your real age.
Adding just a couple of minutes a day to your skincare regimen can have people thinking you’re years younger than you really are – because all your visible skin looks smooth, supple and youthful.
Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,
Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C
 [Ed. Note: Tara Smith, ARNP NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner. Her medical concentration is on aesthetics, teaching and family practice. Tara is conducting research trials into novel ways of naturally boosting the human growth hormone and working on a new book on anti-aging for women.] |
1 King, S.R., et al, “Beneficial actions of exogenous hyaluronic acid on wound healing,” Surgery. Jan 1991;109(1):76-84
2 Prahl, S., et al, “Aging skin is functionally anaerobic: importance of coenzyme Q10 for anti aging skin care,” Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):245-255
3 Inui, M., et al, “Mechanisms of inhibitory effects of CoQ10 on UVB-induced wrinkle formation in vitro and in vivo,” Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):237-243
4 Cua, A.B., et al, “Cutaneous sodium lauryl sulphate irritation potential: age and regional variability,” Br J Dermatol. Nov 1990;123(5):607-615
5 Fazekas, Z., et al, “Protective effects of lycopene against ultraviolet B-induced photodamage,” Nutr Cancer. 2003;47(2):181-187