Skin care for mature skin

Skin Care For Mature Skin - The secret of maintaining a smooth, healthy complexion : as your skin matures the key to healthy skin is a routine which suits your lifestyle. Mature skin can be thin, sensitive and lined and it is sometimes wrinkly and sallow. Most skins will become drier with age.

Cleansing - Effective cleansing is an important part of any skin care for mature skin. Grit and grime from the atmosphere will clog pores and produce blemishes if not regularly removed. Water is my favourite cleanser because it won't leave your face feeling taut like some soaps, which contain caustic soda which upsets and strips your face of sebum. Water acts as a natural exfoliate,softening and sweeping away dead skin cells. However occasionally you might like to use a cream to cleanse especially if you have been using make up. The water should not be too warm as this encourages dilated capillaries. A splash of cold water after cleansing can improve circulation.

Toner - It is not necessary to use a toner after cleansing. The main reason is to clean up residue left over from cleansing. It can be very refreshing.

Masks - mature skin requires extra moisture, in the winter the central heating dehydrates the skin and in the summer the sun. A mask should hydrate your skin.

Moisturisers - Before you apply your moisuriser mature skin can benefit by applying a little jojoba oil mixed with a tiny amount of aromatherapy oil suitable for mature skin. The oils will sink deep into the skin making it plump out and will feed the cells. A cream is there to protect your skin just as a barrier does. There is no need to use a different cream at night.

Some helpful aromatherapy oils for mature skin are: Frankincense, Geranium and Rose

Vitamin E - is one of the best antioxidants for mature skin or anyone worried about ageing. Helps protect against damage done by the environment, such as pollution, cigarettes and the sun. Try and add a few drops or capsule to all your Skin care for mature skin recipes, it can be bought from any good health store.

Rosewater Cleansing Cream

• 1 tbsp cocoa butter
• 2tbsp almond oil
• 6tbsp purified water
• 2tsp glycerine
• 2tbsp rosewater
• 1 capsule vitamin E

Put the wax and oil in a bowl, set in a pan of hot water. Heat gently until melted. At the same time heat the purified water, glycerine and rosewater in another bowl, set in a pan of hot water. Remove from the heat and mix all the ingredients together. Beat the mixture gently until it has thickened. Store in a wide necked bottle.

Elderflower skin Tonic

• 15g dried elderflowers
• 300ml purified water, boiling
• Coffee filter paper
• 1-2 drops pure rose essential oil
• ½ tsp glycerine
• 1 capsule of vitamin E

Pour the boiling water over the elderflowers, cover and leave for 2 hours. Strain off the flower usine coffee filter paper, and add the other ingredients. Refrigerate and use within 3 days. Cucumber Mask

• ¼ cucumber peeled
• 1tsp almond oil
• ¼ tsp wheat germ oil
• 1 egg white beaten until fluffy

Blend the cucumber to a pulp with the almond and wheat germ oils, then gently mix the beaten egg whites. Spread over the face and leave for at least 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Night Oil for Mature Skin

• 1 teaspoon of glycerin
• 50ml apricot kernel oil
• 30 drops of jojoba oil
• 3 drops neroli essential oil
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil

Mix all the oils together and store in a dark jar or container. Massage a little oil into your face, neck and shoulder area nightly.

Nourishing Cream

• 1tbsp emulsifying ointment
• 2tsp cocoa butter
• 1tsp beeswax
• 1tsp wheat germ oil
• 4tbsp purified water

Melt the emulsifying ointment, cocoa butter and beeswax in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Add the wheat germ oil. Heat the purified water until warm and mix it with the other ingredients, stirring until thick. Store in a clean jar.

Cucumber and Honey Eye Nourisher (Cooling and refreshing for tired eyes)

• ½ tbls aloe vera gel
• 1 tsp peeled cucumber
• ½ tsp honey
• ½ tsp camomile tea
• 1 tbls chilled cream

Infuse the camomile tea while mixing the remaining ingredients together. Apply to the orbits of the eyes. Do not put directly onto the eyes. Leave for at least 10-15 minutes.

What skin type are you?

Oily Skin If your skin is oily you could have enlarged pores, which sometimes get blocked causing blemishes, blackhead and even acne.

Dry Skin can often feel very tight and uncomfortable after washing and even be flaky, and red.

Normal Skin feels comfortable after washing, has only the occasional blemish and no redness.

Sensitive Skin is reactive to make-up and cosmetics. The skin can be red, blotchy or have a rash.

Cooling Eye Masks are heaven for tired eyes.