N Skin Care Alert

The bottom line on wrinkles

Nothing can alter the passage of time. For women, time means aging. And the older one gets, the more visible signs of aging appear.

However, as we grow older, we see and feel various changes in our skin. It becomes drier, more wrinkled, and spots appear. Our skin also tends to heal more slowly after injury. Some of these changes are beyond our control, while some can be minimized.  

As skin ages, collagen and elastin -- the fibers which keep the skin firm -- weaken. Skin looks less plump and smooth and becomes thinner and wrinkled. Gravity is also at work, pulling at the skin and causing it to sag.

Ultraviolet rays are responsible for most of the changes we see in our skin as we get older. Aside from severe sun damage, other causes of wrinkles are smoking, weight changes and poor health. The tendency to wrinkle is also inherited. To avoid wrinkles caused by the sun, you must remember the following:

? Always wear sunblock with broad spectrum protection

? Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m

? Wear a hat with a brim to cover your face

Do remember that sun exposure as a child or teenager makes a big difference to the appearance of the skin at the age of 30, 40 or 50. If you already have sun-damaged skin, you will still benefit from starting sun protection as an adult. It’s never too late.

Block the sun!

To prevent the onset of wrinkles, use a broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF of 25 to protect your delicate skin from harmful UVA, UVB and UVC rays.

To be sure, check that your sunblock contains zinc oxide such as Godiva Green Tea Sunblock Cream. It contains zinc oxide, nature’s original sunblock and the ONLY sunscreen that works throughout the UV spectrum for complete sun protection.

Apply the sunblock daily over the face, neck and arms with gentle circular motion until the cream vanishes into a matte finish. Let dry for 30 minutes before sun exposure. A single application is sufficient for all-day protection. However, you must reapply if the sunblock is wiped off.

Need a lift?

Help delay the onset of sagging skin with a firming cream ideal for the face and neck like Godiva Face and Neck Firming Cream. Smooth on cream on face and neck cream twice daily to firm up the skin and reduce superficial wrinkles.

Crossing the lines

Erase fine lines and wrinkles with an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) cream such as Godiva Fruit Acid Revitalizing Complex. It's formulated for sensitive skin to prevent irritation. Natural AHAs from fruits are known to be gentler on the skin than synthetic AHAs. You can apply Godiva Fruit Acid Revitalizing Complex on evenings to make fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable and accelerate the production of fresher, creamier skin.

The secret to aging gracefully lies on how well you care for and protect your skin. So start having glowing, youthful-looking skin by following the daily skin care regimen given.

ý In the News

Save your Skin . . . Quit Smoking!

If you want to look younger, here’s a guaranteed way to do so: quit smoking! Doctors have observed that chronic smokers’ skin tends to be yellowish, thick and wrinkled – making one look older than his or her real age!

Smoking deprives skin of the oxygen it needs to stay healthy and supple. The toxins that are in inhaled cigarette smoke also cause the blood vessels throughout the body to narrow, which in turn decreases blood flow in the skin. What’s more, the chemicals in cigarette smoke gradually destroy the small blood vessels in the skin itself.

Smoking also alters the cellular structure of the skin. Over time, elastin fibers become thicker and more fragmented. Horny layers lose some of their normal water content, becoming dehydrated and rough.

Moreover, smokers purse their lips and squint when they take a puff. These expressions eventually become etched on the face in the form of deep vertical lines on the upper lip and crow’s feet around the eyes. 

So kick the habit now to enjoy beautiful, glowing skin through the years!

_ Tell Us What You Think