Skin Deep.

Ten years ago I was one of those that could get away with just " soap and water" as part of "beauty/skin regimen". I discovered quickly over the years that the skin needs extra care, especially if your skin is exposed to the elements (sun, cold, wind) a lot.As you must have heard or read, the skin gets drier and loses its "glow" as one gets older.However, Two things remain constant-CLEANSING and MOISTURIZING!…..But unfortunately,…It is not always that simple..:(

So,let's talk about the 3 most common active ingredients in most skin products:Note that the active ingredients listed on mostly all beauty products are listed according to their concentrations-from the highest to the lowest.

1. Water : AKA Aqua,is THE main ingredient in most hair and skin products. So is it safe to say we are buying water mixed with "chemicals"?…I wonder....
2. Mineral oil: AKA Soft paraffin-One of the most common active ingredients in beauty products. It is a liquid form of petrolatum ,consisting of mixtures of hydrocarbons that are byproducts of crude petroleum distillation.  This link provides some useful information about mineral oil
3. Glycerin: This is a  humectant (scientifically,are hygroscopic substances that attracts moisture e.g lecithin,propylene glycol). In beauty products they are draw moisture to the skin. They are sometimes used to counteract the dehydrating effects of other active ingredients like some alcohols . 

There are thousands of beauty/skin care products out there promising younger looking skin to "happy-ever-after skin"…..the dilemma, however, is finding what works! 
My recommendation is to make sure the beauty product you use provides enough moisture without being too heavy on the skin or hair.I have tried some of them over the years and I can say "trial and "error" is the rule of the game. Bear in mind that what works for someone else might not work for you, also what worked for you 5 years ago might not work for you now……The skin changes as well.

         
       ….Thoughts?...