Feed: Skin Care Samples - AggScore: 19.2

What if I told you that there is such a thing as a safe tan? Contrary to all of the negative news about sun damage, premature aging and skin cancer, it is possible for you to tan safely. Now that is not to say that all of those problems caused by the sun are not real...they are in fact absolutely true.

However, the sunless tanners on the market today provide a sensible way to get a beautiful tan while staying away from the sun. Not only do they work extremely well, many formulations contain ingredients such as conditioners and moisturizers that actually improve your skin. But wait...it gets even better than that. Some formulations even double as skin firming, cellulite reducing creams. It is multi-tasking at its finest!

While selecting a self tanning product may seem confusing with all the different brands available, try not to become overwhelmed. As long as you stick with a reputable brand, you're almost assured good results. The days of orange streaks and blotchy applications are a thing of the past. Many products today come in spray varieties to mimic an airbrush tan you might receive in a salon, for a fraction of the price. Other types include instant color that acts as an application guide. With this type of product you can see exactly where you've applied it and be sure to cover every spot.

Once you have that great tan developed you will undoubtedly be showing it off. Be careful! Even though you have a dark tan, your skin is not automatically protected from sun damage. You still need to wear some sort of sun protection such as a sunscreen or sunblock. And don't forget to apply it everywhere, including your face.

The face is an area that is exposed to the sun each and every day. After years of unprotected exposure, facial skin will begin to show age before its time. Take precautions today and you can avoid excess lines and wrinkles down the road. Although these habits may seem like a drag when you're young and old age seems light years away, remember that time moves quickly and will catch up with you.

Like it or not, the condition of your skin reflects the care you've given it in the past. Treat it well and it will reciprocate in the years to come. The good news is you can look great with a sunless tan, protect your skin with one of the many great sun care products available and have great looking skin for years.

Whether you're just beginning to learn about the ins and outs of caring for your face or you are intimately familiar with everything you can use to make your skin look its very glowing best, one thing that you should have a good working knowledge of is exfoliation. Essentially, exfoliating is the process where dead skin is removed from the surface of your skin. When the dull dead skin is removed, your skin will achieve a healthy glow.

Immediately after you exfoliate for the first time, you'll notice cleaner, fresher and smoother skin. But what happens over time is where the real benefit is found. A habit of regular exfoliation can solve many common skin problems as well as aid in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. And these great benefits can be yours just for getting rid of some dull, dead skin.

While skin exfoliation typically brings to mind something you physically do to your skin, it's important to note that the skin does exfoliate itself naturally as well. However, various environmental and lifestyle issues tend to slow this natural process making it essential for most people to do some exfoliation on their own.

For instance, if your skin tends to be oily, this can make natural exfoliation more difficult as the dead skin will stick to the oil. With aging skin, the process can also be a bit slower than you might prefer.

Although the majority of people can and should exfoliate their skin, there are some cautions to be aware of. If you have ultra sensitive skin or a specific skin condition, take care and consult with your dermatologist before changing your skincare routine. You may even find that gentle exfoliation is just what the doctor orders!

Many manual exfoliation and microdermabrasion products are available for home use and require gently rubbing a formula onto the skin to cause friction. Typically you'll notice immediate results with these products but may need something stronger after the first few treatments.

Chemical exfoliants are widely available both over the counter and through your dermatologist. They come in gel, cream or serum form and should be used on clean skin. Some of the most popular exfoliation products include alpha hydroxy acids, or AHA's. AHA's are derived from fruits and like the manual solutions, work to remove dead skin cells from the skin. You can find several varieties and brands on the market and most provide excellent benefits to your skin.

Consider exfoliation if you're looking for a way to brighten dull skin and achieve a younger look. Your face will benefit from the fantastic anti-aging benefits of smoother skin and you'll be taking an important step toward maintaining your skin's health.