What Is Lipstick Made Of?

A basic lipstick is made of waxes, oils, and pigments. They have fillers such as mica, corn starch, and rice starch. Bismuth oxychloride can irritate skin and is found in mineral cosmetics. Carmine, which is an insect derived pigment. Many lipsticks contain titanium dioxide which can block harmful sun rays but most glosses do not.

How Does Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Make Their Products?

Good Question!!! Here is a really cool video showing how the Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask is made.

When Should You Start Using Anti-Aging Products?

Wrinkles and signs of aging are a result of the breaking down of collagen in the skin. Collagen is the protein responsible for giving skin it's structure. As we get older our collagen, or scaffolding, starts to degrade and we see wrinkles and drooping where smooth and perky used to be.

This process usually starts in the late twenties to early thirties depending on lifestyle and genetics.

The old adage "A stitch in time saves nine" truly applies here and prevention is key. Start treating skin at the first signs of aging with retinols, antioxidants, and collagen boosters.

Beauty Products: Why Less Is More

If you are anything like me, a heaping pile of skin care products warms your heart. I love to try new products, experience the different textures, and revel in the glow of a good purchase. But the truth is, less is more when it comes to products. Have a million lipsticks, but keep your skin care regimen to a limited number of products.

Why to minimize the number of skin care products you use:

• If you have irritation or a reaction it is easier to identify the offender
• The less steps (products) in your skin care regimen, the more likely you are to use the products and stick to your regimen
• Less products means less opportunity for adverse reactions
• You'll be able to tell what is working and what isn't 
• You'll save heaps of money

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Aging

Intrinsic aging is determined by our genetic code. Without the proper products and health decisions intrinsic aging can be somewhat mitigated. The components of intrinsic aging are:

• The outer barrier of skin weakens
• DNA repair slows
• Blood flow decreases
• Chronic inflammation increases

Extrinsic Aging is determined by environmental factors. Photoaging (sun damage) is the number one cause of extrinsic aging. Components of extrinsic aging are:

• Sun damage
• Smoking
• Stress
• Poor nutrition
• Sleep deprivation

Don't fall into the play now, pay later skin care mentality. I was recently on a cruise and saw two young early twenty somethings slathering on the oil and tanning accelerator, their skin already dark crispy brown. It took everything I had not to lean over and tell them how much they would regret all this sun exposure once they reach their thirties!

The 4 Types of Moisturizers

Creams:

• white and thick, oil-in-water emulsions made with mineral oil or lanolin

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, $26.50

Lotions:

• light and translucent, these have lots of water and an extra ingredient (usually a silicone, hydrogel, or PEG) to give them a nice smooth feel

Vaseline Intensive Rescue Clinical Therapy has a high water content and glycerin

Gels:

• clear and thick, made up of polymers, hyaluronic acid is a common ingredient that helps to hold moisture

Kate Somerville HydraClear Hydrating Acne Gel, $65.00

Serums:

• clear, translucent, or creamy, can be very thin even runny. Serums are an incomplete mixture of oil and water or cyclic silicones.

Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum, $59.00

Only those with severe acne and extremely oily skin should skip moisturizers. As with cleansers, there are many moisturizers that have been around for generations and work quite well, just ask your Great Aunt Ethel. Also, many of the more expensive products offer a way to combine skin care regimen steps into one product, for example, by combining a moisturizer with sun protection.

Recommended Reading : The New Science of Perfect Skin

5 Step Skin Regimen

Step One: Cleanse

• Clean skin gently with a mild cleanser to avoid stripping skin of necessary oils.
• Skip the costly cleansers and go with the economic choice from the drugstore here. All you need is something to clean your skin. After a few moments on your face you are literally sending your money down the drain.
• For dry sensitive skin use a cleanser that is fragrance-free, nondrying, and noncomedogenic (noncomedogenic simply means it will not clog pores)
• For oily or acne prone skin use an exfoliating cleanser with salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells and bacteria from the surface of the skin.

Step Two: Moisturize

• Keep skin hydrated and protected
• Hydrate while skin is still damp from the shower
• Invest in a quality moisturizer; a good one will hydrate skin, treat wrinkles, increase strength, and give an overall healthy glow

Step Three: Reprogram DNA

• Slather on that fancy anti-aging potion you spent your last paycheck on
• a good DNA enhancer combined with antioxidants with improve cellular functioning, increase collagen production, and improve blood flow to the skin- all in the name of preventing and reversing wrinkles. Can I get an amen!

Step Four: Sun Protection

• Use sun screen to combat the damaging effects of sun exposure
• this should be done DAILY and YEAR ROUND

Step Five: Brighten (optional)

• Using a combined brightener, retinol, and exfoliator can even skin tone
• brighteners should not be used more than twice daily
• retinol and exfoliators should not be used more than once daily
• always apply sunscreen before going outside