The art of facial “workouts” are designed to increase muscle size, leading to a fuller and firmer appearance.

While sceptics might have once dismissed the bizarre regimen as a marketing ploy set on exploiting female insecurities, new research has proven that a daily facial exercise routine can actually reduce signs of aging in middle-aged women.

In an experiment conducted at Northwestern University in Chicago, researchers found that by embarking on a regular 30-minute facial exercise program for 20 weeks, participants lowered their average estimated age by roughly three years.

Study participants, a group of 27 women aged between 40 and 65 years old, learned 32 different exercises and conducted each for about a minute for the duration of the experiment.

Movements included opening the mouth to form an O, smiling to raise the cheek muscles and massaging the cheeks with the tips of your fingers.

Another exercise involved smiling without showing teeth.

Experts were asked to estimate the ages of all participants before and after the study and the average age dropped from 50.8 to 48.1 years.

“Assuming the findings are confirmed in a larger study, individuals now have a low-cost, non-toxic way for looking younger or to augment other cosmetic or anti-ageing treatments,” explained lead author Dr Murad Alam, a professor of dermatology at the university.

Face yoga was first developed by a yoga teacher in New York named Annelise Hagen in 2007.

It has since surged in popularity and is now taught by a number of professionals – there are even dedicated facial fitness studios where clients can take lessons in the practise.

Source: Olivia Petter, https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/facial-yoga-women-younger-look-years-younger-study-north-a8143241.html

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Beauty it may be in the eye of the beholder, but your face is what makes you ‘You’.

It’s an awesome landscape of skin, muscles and expressions.

A unique combination of features and colours, that is unlike any other person.

It reveals a lot about who you are, what you are thinking and feeling and your intentions.

Whilst we don’t often give our face much thought, it is one of the most complex structures of the human anatomy.

Your face contains a total of 14 bones, 40 muscles and 32 teeth.

Without which you could not eat, speak, communicate, express feelings or kiss.

So join me for a few fun facts, that you can learn, to put your best face forward.

FACE THE FACTS

1. It takes 11 muscles to frown
2. It takes 12 facial muscles for a genuine smile.
3. We are capable of making 10,000 unique facial expressions.
4. There are 6 universal facial expressions; Happy, sad, angry, disgusted, surprised afraid
5. True happiness is revealed in our eyes, true sadness is revealed in the muscles of our chin
6. Sincere expressions are more symmetrical than insincere ones.
7. There are 21 mimetic facial muscles, the only muscles in your body directly attached to your skin, that creates your expressions.
8. We regularly flash micro-expressions that last less than 1/25th of a second. This is why our facial emotions flash by so quickly.
9. it is almost impossible to fake the muscle movements of the top half area around our eyes, proving a genuine smile really does light up our eyes.
10. We can consciously manipulate muscles of the mouth to smile, pretending we are happy.
11. The masseter the muscle we use to chew, is the strongest muscle in the human body. It is capable of pulling up to 80 times its own weight!
12. Just like the rest of your body, if you exercise your facial muscles it will tone and firm them. Giving them a lift, adding volume to reduce sagging.
13. Those cheeky dimples are inherited as a family trait and are caused by a shortened muscle. When a person smiles the muscles pull across the skin, revealing a dimple.
14. We have 19 types of smiles which fall into two categories: polite “social” smiles which engage fewer muscles, and sincere “felt” smiles use more muscles on both sides of the face
15. Our face is made up of 14 bones
16. The only bone section that can move is the mandible, the jaw bone.
17. Our ears and nose are made from a bendy flexible tissue called cartilage.
18. As we age our nose lengthens and drops downwards and our ears never stop growing
19. Ageing causes us to lose bone mass, including the bones in our face, meaning our face really does shrink as we age
20. Lips are red due to the number of tiny capillaries that are just below our skins surface; blood in the capillaries contains oxygen, which creates the colour red

And finally did you know that your face uses 50% more muscles to frown than to smile?

Which in my opinion, is a great reason to save energy and smile more.

Source: Samantha Miller, https://thenakedchemist.com/top-20-fascinating-face-facts/

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Facial exercises are being touted as a way to reverse signs of aging. A workout can’t hurt and might even help. But there’s little evidence of benefit.

It used to be that women’s magazines only gave fitness advice for your body. But today when you open the pages of many publications, you’ll see advice on exercising not only your body, but your face, too. Articles tout strengthening exercises for the facial muscles — and even face yoga — as a way to slim and tone facial structures and help fight signs of aging.

Sounds great. But is it true? Should your workouts extend above the neck as well as below? And will those exercises really do anything for those wrinkles, sagging jowls, or double chin?

“The first thing to know is that there really aren’t any good, rigorous, scientific studies that verify claims that face workouts are effective,” says Suzanne Olbricht, an associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School. And at first glance, at least some of the claims appear a little dubious, she says. In one article, for example, accompanying photographs show a woman who claims to have benefited from facial exercises. In this case, the changes to her appearance show improvements to the surface of her skin — mostly to her skin texture — which would be unlikely to result from exercising the underlying muscle, says Dr. Olbricht. Changes like this would be expected if she’d undergone a cosmetic treatment that targeted the surface of the skin, such as microneedling or a chemical peel, but would be unlikely to result from face workouts.

However, while a dose of skepticism is definitely warranted when it comes to some claims, this doesn’t mean you should completely discount the idea of exercising your face, she says. At least in theory, it’s possible that facial exercises could produce some benefits. Among them:

Reducing the appearance of thick scars. Face exercises, including stretching and movement, can be used to loosen up and lessen the appearance of a tight scar. “Massage and exercises that stretch the skin affected by scarring can make a thick scar become thinner and more pliable,” says Dr. Olbricht. This is a clear instance where facial exercises are recommended and likely to be effective.

Fighting gravity. Face exercises might also help improve muscle tone in the face and could theoretically help with gravity-related fat loss or redistribution on the face, says Dr. Olbricht. Building muscle in the face could potentially help keep fat — which might otherwise slide down with the pull of gravity — where it belongs. But now for the bad news: if exercise is able to produce an effect, any changes would likely be very subtle and far less than could be accomplished by other cosmetic methods, such as dermal fillers, she says.

“Truthfully, it’s hard to say whether face exercises are useful or not,” says Dr. Olbricht. But if you’re interested in giving it a shot, there’s really no drawback to trying. It’s not dangerous, and it won’t produce any ill results. “While I’m not convinced,” she says, “there seems to be little downside.”

Source: Harvard Women’s Health Watch, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/does-your-face-need-a-workout

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“I do facial exercises from one of my favorite aestheticians, Nicola Joss, who basically has you sculpt your face from the inside out. I swear it works, as silly as you may feel. On the days I do it, my cheekbones and jawline are waaaay more sculpted. There’s a reason she is in high demand around awards season when every actress wants to look A-plus.”

Origins of face yoga

With original creation typically credited to New York yoga instructor, Annelise Hagen, the evolution of yoga for the face comprises a series of sometimes-silly expressions and specialized stretches that are said to improve facial flexibility while warding off the drooping effects of aging.

According to CafeMom, when Hagen got wind of the fact that the duchess follows her original face yoga plan, she exclaimed

“It’s super validating when someone like that is associating with the work I’ve done. I’m happy to hear Meghan is embracing it. She’s a positive role model for beauty, inside and out.”

With this in mind, numerous celebs currently tout face yoga and other non-surgical facelift techniques provided by UK celebrity facialist Nichola Joss and other talented aestheticians. Everyday people may also employ face yoga in their quest to stay as young-looking as possible.

Megan Markle makes time for yoga every day

On any typical day, the young royal wakes up before dawn and greets the day with green juice and yoga stretches. Right now, she does her yoga routines at home but looks forward to owning a dedicated studio where she can do her Bikram hot yoga and other self-help pastimes in privacy. Of course, one doesn’t have to be a super celeb to enjoy the numerous benefits of yoga.

Meghan Markle isn’t the only famous person that does face yoga

In addition to Markle, celebs touting facial yoga to delay visible signs of aging include Gisele Bundchen and Kate Moss, who reportedly swear by holistic skin health. Other celebrities who use face yoga include Jennifer Aniston, Madonna, and Gwenyth Paltrow.

According to Harper’s Bazaar, A-List celebs who follow Joss’ savvy skin care tutorials have no need to turn to Botox and other invasive anti-aging strategies. Double-cleansing and super hydration are also essential to healthy looking skin.

Celebs listen to expert advice

Joss has been giving reliable cosmetic advice for a number of years, so it makes sense that Markle and other celebs would pay attention to what she says. In 2013, Joss told Cosmopolitan that the best tools to combat facial aging in wintertime are a high quality facial oil and a pair of clean hands.

“During the winter months I recommend massaging a skin boosting facial oil into your skin every evening before bed to replenish and repair skin.”

According to Joss, a dab of oil massaged into the face may benefit all skins types during harsh winter months. Of course, those who incorporate face yoga into their beauty routine stand a superior chance of retaining their youthful looks during any season of the year.

Once you get the hang of it, Joss’ face yoga and DIY facial massage are easy to work into your morning routine. In fact, the Duchess of Windsor starts every day bright and early with a healthy helping of yoga for her body, face, and overall serene outlook on life.

Source: Mariella Von Houten, https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/why-do-celebrities-like-meghan-markle-do-face-yoga.html/

The post Why Do Celebrities Like Meghan Markle Do Face Yoga? appeared first on Face Goddess Yoga.

Skin Care Tips Before You Start

Three Main Steps

Think of your skin-care routine as consisting of three main steps:

• Cleansing — Washing your face. 
• Toning — Balancing the skin.
• Moisturizing — Hydrating and softening the skin.

The goal of any skin-care routine is to tune up your complexion so it’s functioning at its best, and also troubleshoot or target any areas you want to work on. “Beauty routines are an opportunity to notice changes within yourself,” says the San Francisco skin-care specialist Kristina Holey. As your skin needs shifts with age, so will your products. Still, she adds, “it’s not about creating perfection.”   Allow these three steps to become your daily ritual that fortifies your skin and grounds your day.

Give it Time

The science behind skin-care products has come a long way but there’s still no such thing as an instant fix — you need time to reap the benefits, says Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a Manhattan dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. “Results are only seen through consistent use,” she explains. Generally, aim to use a product over at least six weeks, once or twice daily, to notice a difference.  

Tip: With any skin-care product, apply in order of consistency — from thinnest to thickest. For example, cleanser, toner (if you use it), serum, and then moisturizer.

More on Skin Care Basics

The Familiar Promise of Health and Happiness in a BottleAugust 14, 2017Skincare Advice From a Budapest-Based Beauty FounderMay 10, 2016Wellness, Beauty and Style — According to a French Ballet StarAugust 11, 2016A Parisian Editor’s Best Natural Beauty Advice for SpringApril 18, 2016

Cleansing

Washing your face is the most basic and essential step of any routine, says the New York City dermatologist Dr. Carlos Charles. “Our skin comes in contact with environmental pollutants, dirt and other factors each day that should be gently removed.” Wash twice a day, morning and night, to avoid clogged pores, dullness and acne.

Find Your Facial Cleanser

The right formula cleanses your skin without stripping essential, healthy oils. Take it easy with exfoliating scrubs (use once a week) and avoid those with crushed walnut shells or abrasive ingredients. 

For everyday cleansing, here’s what to look for: 

What Does Non-Comedogenic Mean Exactly?

This term frequently appears on product labels and is used by skin-care experts but not always defined in simple, clear language. Here’s a quick explanation: If a product claims to be non-comedogenic it means that it shouldn’t clog pores or trigger acne — either by occluding the skin, blocking glands or irritating the hair follicle. The claim is not regulated by the F.D.A., however, and many companies do their own internal tests to determine whether a product should be considered comedogenic or not. (Some common known comedogenic ingredients are coconut oil and cocoa butter.) Typically, the fewer ingredients a product has, the easier it is to determine if it will cause any reactions.  

How to Wash Your Face Like a Pro

Did you know there’s a best way to wash your face? Here’s how skin-care specialist Kristina Holey does it. TRY IT

Toning

How to Use Toner

For many, the word “toner” brings to mind stinging astringents from the ’80s. “The original was an alcohol-based product that was used to dry up oily skin and remove any leftover dirt following cleansing,” Dr. Nazarian says. Today’s formulas, however, have evolved. Think of them as supplements — these thin liquids deliver an extra shot of nutrients, helping the other products in your regimen absorb better, while still balancing your complexion. Most experts, the New York City aesthetician Jordana Mattioli says, consider toner to be optional: “It can be a good way to add in specific ingredients that you may not have in your other products or add another layer of skin-replenishment.” If you have the time and inclination, here are some hero ingredients to look for: 

• Alpha and beta hydroxy acids to gently remove dead skin cells that can clog pores, improve sun-damaged skin and minimize dullness.
• Hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, seal in dewiness and plump skin to subtly treat fine lines.
• Rose water and green tea to calm irritation and reduce redness with an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Vitamin E and C to fight daily exposure to free radicals that can age your skin.

What is Toner?

“Toners should be done after cleansing and before putting on anything else,” Mattioli says. The traditional application method is to saturate a cotton pad and pass it over your face. But, as Mattioli points out, “You end up losing a lot of product.”

Tip: “Applying toner with clean hands is the most efficient. Just pour a few drops in your palm, then swipe it on.” Or if you prefer, you can pull apart a cotton pad “so it’s not so thick before putting toner on it,” Mattioli advises. Most formulas can be used morning and night, but you might want to use those with exfoliating acids only at night or every other day.  

More on Cleansing and Toners

To Wear Makeup or Not to Wear Makeup?October 10, 2016The Simple Yet Effective Beauty Product Application to KnowJune 3, 2016A New Three-Piece Beauty Line for Sensitive TypesJanuary 9, 2017

Treating With Serums

Simply put, serums are powerful skin allies. Filled with concentrated doses of active ingredients, these elixirs can mitigate a number of issues, from dark spots to wrinkles. “Even if you don’t have any specific issues, everyone still needs a general antioxidant serum in the morning to protect from daily aggressors,” Mattioli says. While there are “limitless options” for ingredients, Nazarian singles out her hardworking favorites. To handle specific issues, look for these products:  

• Hyaluronic acid to seal in hydration and strengthen the barrier function (the top layer of your skin) to prevent moisture loss.
• Vitamin C to help brighten dull skin and decrease dark spots with continued use.
• Retinol, vitamin B3, peptides to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, proteins in the body that help prevent lines and skin sagging. 
• Colloidal sulfur, niacinamide to calm redness and irritation by decreasing inflammation, and improve acne with its antimicrobial effects.

Helpful Hints and Pointers

If you have multiple concerns, you might want to use multiple formulas. “I recommend treating different areas with different products,” Mattioli says. “Maybe you’ll use a vitamin C serum all over but then dab on [another] for hyperpigmentation on just a few spots.” Just run any combination by your dermatologist to avoid any potential reactions. 

To save time, don’t try mixing a serum into your moisturizer. This “lessens the ability of the serum to absorb effectively,” Dr. Nazarian says. “Products should be applied one by one.” 

Not all serums are applied with the same frequency. “This varies with the ingredients,” Dr. Nazarian says. “I prefer antioxidants in the morning because they give you additional protection from the environment, and most of us don’t use enough sunscreen as is,” Mattioli says. Yet certain ingredients are best when slathered on at night. For example: “Retinols are not sun-stable and will degrade if applied in daytime,” Dr. Nazarian explains. Bottom line: Read the label instructions carefully.

Moisturizing

The most basic function of a moisturizer is to hydrate and soften the skin. “Essentially, moisturizers assist in preventing water loss through the outer layers of skin,” Dr. Charles explains. “They can also complement the naturally found protective oils and other building blocks within the skin, such as ceramides.” This is one product that doctors recommend using year-round, for all skin types. “Skin naturally loses the ability to retain moisture as we age,” Dr. Nazarian insists, “and daily activities, such as washing, can strip natural hydrators from the surface.”

How to Pick a Moisturizer

“Everyone needs moisture, but the texture of your moisturizer will differ depending on your skin type,” Mattioli notes. Consider this your cheat-sheet, courtesy of Dr. Nazarian.

The Difference Between a Day and Night Cream

Creams you apply in the morning are equipped to protect your skin from the environmental aggressors you’ll face when you leave the house—many contain antioxidants to minimize pollution-based free radicals and sunscreen to shield you from ultraviolet radiation. They typically have a lightweight consistency. Night creams, on the other hand, focus on repairing any damage you might have picked up with ingredients like retinol to speed cellular turnover and counteract dark spots. These creams also replenish moisture levels, which naturally dip in the evening, with emollients that often create a rich, thick texture. 

Eye Creams, Explained

Can you survive without an eye cream? Absolutely. But, if you have specific concerns — like hyperpigmentation, dryness or puffiness — you might want to try one. “The skin around the eyes is quite thin and delicate, and more likely to react to irritating ingredients than other areas,” Dr. Nazarian says. “Therefore, dermatologists typically recommend an eye cream that considers the potential sensitivity and has more tolerable concentrations of active ingredients.”

For undereye bags and inflammation, caffeine, peptides and hyaluronic acid can be soothing, Mattioli says. “Dark circles can be due to visible veins or actual discoloration common in darker skin tones,” she says. “Look for brightening ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid and niacinamide.” Insider tip: Steer clear of strong retinols (which can sting and create redness) and fragrance, to avoid any eye irritation.   

How to Pick a Moisturizer

“Everyone needs moisture, but the texture of your moisturizer will differ depending on your skin type,” Mattioli notes. Consider this your cheat-sheet, courtesy of Dr. Nazarian.

Protect With Sunscreen

All of the experts we consulted unanimously agreed on one thing: that sunscreen is, hands down, the most crucial skin-care product. It’s “of utmost importance as part of your year-round regimen,” Dr. Charles points out. “Daily and consistent sunscreen use helps to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, textural imperfections, and changes in the appearance of pores over time. More importantly, daily sunscreen use can help to prevent the formation of certain skin cancers.” To make it easy to remember, experts recommend using a daily moisturizer with a built-in broad spectrum SPF of at least 30.

Decoding Sunscreen Formulas

There’s a lot of debate over which sunscreens are best and safest for your complexion. You have two types of ingredients in formulas: 

• Chemical ingredients, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are absorbed into your skin to counteract the damage from ultraviolet light

Pros:

• Lightweight, easy to apply and transparent on the skin.

Cons:

• Can irritate and cause reactions in those with sensitive skin.
• Certain ingredients like oxybenzone have raised health concerns and carry a “high hazard” rating on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.
• Physical ingredients, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, that sit on top of your skin to deflect or prevent UV rays from entering your body.

Pros:

• Very little risk of irritation or health concerns.

Cons:

• Often leave a white or grayish tint on the skin, particularly in those with darker skin tones.

Insider tip: “I typically advocate the use of sunscreens that contain a combination of physical and chemical blocking components,” Dr. Charles says. “These will provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays, and typically do not create any visible residue.”  

Sunscreen Application 101

Consider this your rule of thumb, according to Dr. Nazarian: “Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply at least every two hours. Chemical sunscreens should be applied directly to clean skin, while physical blockers can be applied last in your skin-care regimen, but before makeup is applied. About two tablespoons of sunscreen are appropriate to cover your face and exposed areas of your body; within that amount, use a nickel-size dollop to cover your face.”

All of the experts we consulted unanimously agreed on one thing: that sunscreen is, hands down, the most crucial skin-care product. It’s “of utmost importance as part of your year-round regimen,” Dr. Charles points out. “Daily and consistent sunscreen use helps to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, textural imperfections, and changes in the appearance of pores over time. More importantly, daily sunscreen use can help to prevent the formation of certain skin cancers.” To make it easy to remember, experts recommend using a daily moisturizer with a built-in broad spectrum SPF of at least 30.

More on Sunscreens

Hitting the Beach? An Umbrella Is Not EnoughJanuary 19, 2017Six Sunscreens That Actually Improve Your SkinJuly 25, 2016Slathering on Sunscreen Shows ResultsJune 3, 2013

Any Questions?

Are Face Masks Worth All the Hype?

To say that face masks have become popular lately is a bit of an understatement — Sephora has more than 400 varieties (and 60 of those launched in the last few months). Masks “offer highly concentrated treatments to address specific issues,” says New York City dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner. But unlike a toner or a serum, masks deliver ingredients under occlusion, which helps the ingredients absorb more efficiently, notes Dr. Nazarian.

Then there’s the fun factor: Many of the latest innovations bubble up, turn colors and peel off. Yes, it’s a little gimmicky, and this step is certainly not essential in your routine. “Think of masks like boosters — not necessary but beneficial,” Mattioli says.

If you want to give one a whirl, here are three performance-driven varieties to consider, according to Mattioli:

Sheet masks: “These are primarily hydrating. Having ingredients saturated on the skin in this occlusive manner keeps air from getting in and you’ll get a higher absorption in a short amount of time. I always recommend keeping these in the fridge to get an anti-inflammatory benefit as well.”

Sleeping packs or overnight masks: “Overnight masks or sleeping packs will have a thicker texture and help trap in whatever ingredients you layer underneath. They’re ideal for mature skin or severely dry skin.”

Clay or mud masks: “These absorb oil and can have a mild exfoliating effect — so they’re great for oily areas. You don’t have to put it on your whole face, though. You can target just a few areas. In fact, I love multi-masking: using a clay on the t-zone and a hydrating one everywhere else.”   

Insider tip: Apply masks after serum but before moisturizer, unless it’s a leave-on overnight mask, which can take the place of your nighttime moisturizer. Like any product that supplements your regular routine, masks should be used in moderation — no more than once a week to prevent any irritation, Dr.  Zeichner says.

Do I Need Any Special Tools?

Not really. A simple washcloth really does most of the work. But who needs a spa appointment when the latest skin-care gadgets — and one surprisingly analog standby — bring the same technology to your bathroom?

Here are a few we recommend:   

Washcloth: Lightly buffing with a standard-issue (100-percent cotton) clean cloth and gentle cleanser might be all you need for smoother skin. To avoid any bacteria, use a fresh cloth every day.  

Sonic cleansing: A rotating disc emits pulsations that dislodge impurities from your pores. Most tools come with multiple settings for a gentle to deep clean. [Clarisonic Mia 1 Facial Cleansing Brush, $129]

LED light therapy: Many devices combine multiple colored lights in one wand, so you can customize your session. Switch on red to stimulate collagen and elastin production while decreasing inflammation; blue to eliminate acne-causing bacteria and redness; and yellow to even out your tone.  [Skin Inc Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light, $265]

Microcurrent waves: A low-level current sends waves through the skin to tighten and contour the facial muscles — think of it as a workout for your complexion. [NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device, $325]

Fractional non-ablative laser: Beams of light penetrate the skin (creating a warm, but not burning, sensation) to generate cellular disruption, which triggers the body’s natural healing process to fight off lines and wrinkles. [Tria Beauty SmoothBeauty Laser, $495]

What Is a Face Oil?

Touted as a pure and natural way to improve your skin, botanical facial oils — infused with plant and farm-fresh extracts — have exploded into the mainstream market lately. Still, experts often advise caution when dousing yourself, as not all oils are created equal. “I recommend avoiding essential oils or those with added perfumes, which increase potential of skin irritation,” Dr. Nazarian says. 

4 Benefits of Facial Oils: 

• Intensely hydrate without leaving a greasy residue. Look for: maracuja oil. 
• Brighten and even out your skin tone. Look for: olive oil.
• Rid bacteria and soothe acne-prone skin. Look for: marula oil.
• Calm red, inflamed skin, and ease the symptoms of rosacea. Look for: rosehip oil. 

How and When to Use an Oil:

Most facial oils can be used twice daily, both morning and night. They should be applied after facial serums and gels, but before your creams and lotions. Spread a dime-size amount between your palms and pat it on, targeting the outer areas of the face, and then sweeping in toward the center, around your eyes, nose and lips.

What Can I Do When My Skin Gets Irritated?

Many times skin irritation, from acne to eczema, can be traced back to overzealous habits. “Unfortunately, a lot of what I do is get people back to having healthy skin from overuse of products — stripping cleansers, items that over-exfoliate or contain sensitizing ingredients — which they were using as a foundation for healthy skin but it took them farther away from it,” Holey says. To bring your skin back to its baseline, she suggests the following holistic remedies:

• Run cold water over your pulse points, such as your wrists, to lower your internal body temperature, which calms your skin, too.
• Apply an oatmeal mask to rid yourself of inflammation. Mix dried oats with a few spoonfuls of water. Spread this paste on your skin, and let it sit until it’s semi-dry, then rinse off.
• Use chilled, steeped green tea as a rinse that you splash on your face. EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), a polyphenol in green tea, has an “immediate soothing effect,” Holey says.
• Try acupuncture to improve circulation, digestion and immunity internally, all of which supports healthy skin externally. Holey recommends weekly treatments initially, then monthly maintenance sessions.
• Live well: you can read stress on your face — literally, since high levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) can weaken your skin, bring on acne and even accelerate wrinkling. Holey’s advice? Exercise regularly, get your rest, meditate or find ways to feel positive. The results will show. 

Source: Kari Molvar, https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/skincare-routine

The post How to Build a Skin Care Routine appeared first on Face Goddess Yoga.

A new study suggests that exercising our faces for 30 minutes at least every other day can tone up facial muscles and lead to a reduction in the visible signs of aging.

The findingsTrusted Source — by Dr. Murad Alam, a professor of dermatology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL, and colleagues — were recently published in JAMA Dermatology.

Aging is an inevitable part of life. No matter how much we want to, we can’t stop the clock. When it comes to our appearance, however, we certainly try.

The global anti-aging market was worth a whopping $250 billion in 2016. By 2021, this number is expected to reach $331.41 billion.

These numbers incorporate a wealth of cosmetic treatments and products designed to delay or halt signs of aging, including anti-wrinkle creams, Botox, chemical peels, and anti-pigmentation therapies.

To be honest, the thought of using any anti-aging treatment that doesn’t come out of a tub sends shivers down my spine, which is why the new study caught my eye.

Facial exercises sound simple and cost-effective, and — most importantly — they don’t require going under the knife. But can they really help us to look younger? Dr. Alam and colleagues investigated.

Testing 20 weeks of facial exercises

For their study, the researchers enrolled 27 women aged 40–65 years. During two face-to-face, 90-minute sessions, the women were taught 32 facial exercises that were developed by study co-author Gary Sikorski, of Happy Face Yoga in Providence, RI.

Exercises included The Cheek Lifter, wherein you open your mouth to form an “O” shape, position your upper lip over your teeth, smile to elevate the cheek muscles, then lightly place your fingers on the top section of your cheeks. Then, repeatedly lower and lift your cheeks.

The Happy Cheeks Sculpting is another, involving smiling with your lips pursed together in order to lift the cheek muscles. Next, place your fingers at the corners of your mouth and slide them to the top of your cheeks. This position should be held for 20 seconds.

The participants performed the facial exercises at home for 20 weeks, completing them for 30 minutes daily for the first 8 weeks, and 30 minutes every other day for the remaining 12 weeks.

They had photos taken before the study, and at 8 weeks and 20 weeks. These photos were analyzed by dermatologists at the three time points, to determine whether or not the facial exercises had any impact on the women’s appearance.

The dermatologists were blinded to the experiment, in order to avoid potential bias.

The Merz-Carruthers Facial Aging Photo Scales were used to assess the participants’ facial aging, with the dermatologists assessing 19 specific facial features. They were also asked to guess the age of each woman before the study, and at weeks 8 and 20.

Age appearance decreased by 3 years

So, can facial exercises help us to combat the visible signs of aging?

From the photos of the women after completion of the facial exercises, the dermatologists noted a significant increase in the fullness of their upper and lower cheeks.

Dr. Alam and his colleagues explain that as we age, the “fat pads” between the muscle and skin — which help to form the shape of the face — begin to get thinner, causing the face to droop.

“But if muscle underneath becomes bigger,” says senior study author Emily Poon, of the Feinberg School of Medicine, “the skin has more stuffing underneath it and the firmer muscle appears to make the shape of the face more full. Muscle growth is increasing the facial volume and counteracting the effects of age-related fat thinning and skin loosening.”

It seems that this increase in facial volume has an effect on how young we look; dermatologists rated the average age of participants as 50.8 years before the facial exercises. This fell to 49.6 years at week 8, and to 48.1 years at week 20.

“That’s almost a 3-year decrease in age appearance over a 20-week period,” notes Dr. Alam. The women themselves also reported a noticeable difference in their facial appearance and said that they were very satisfied with the results.

Does this mean that I should be opting for facial exercises over anti-aging cream? Not necessarily, but they’re certainly worth a try.

“The exercises enlarge and strengthen the facial muscles, so the face becomes firmer and more toned and shaped like a younger face,” says Dr. Alam.

“Assuming the findings are confirmed in a larger study, individuals now have a low-cost, non-toxic way for looking younger or to augment other cosmetic or anti-aging treatments they may be seeking.”

Dr. Murad Alam

Source: Honor Whiteman, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320531.php#1

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“I do facial exercises from one of my favorite aestheticians, Nicola Joss, who basically has you sculpt your face from the inside out. I swear it works, as silly as you may feel. On the days I do it, my cheekbones and jawline are waaaay more sculpted. There’s a reason she is in high demand around awards season when every actress wants to look A-plus.”

Origins of face yoga

With original creation typically credited to New York yoga instructor, Annelise Hagen, the evolution of yoga for the face comprises a series of sometimes-silly expressions and specialized stretches that are said to improve facial flexibility while warding off the drooping effects of aging.

According to CafeMom, when Hagen got wind of the fact that the duchess follows her original face yoga plan, she exclaimed

“It’s super validating when someone like that is associating with the work I’ve done. I’m happy to hear Meghan is embracing it. She’s a positive role model for beauty, inside and out.”

With this in mind, numerous celebs currently tout face yoga and other non-surgical facelift techniques provided by UK celebrity facialist Nichola Joss and other talented aestheticians. Everyday people may also employ face yoga in their quest to stay as young-looking as possible.

Megan Markle makes time for yoga every day

On any typical day, the young royal wakes up before dawn and greets the day with green juice and yoga stretches. Right now, she does her yoga routines at home but looks forward to owning a dedicated studio where she can do her Bikram hot yoga and other self-help pastimes in privacy. Of course, one doesn’t have to be a super celeb to enjoy the numerous benefits of yoga.

Meghan Markle isn’t the only famous person that does face yoga

In addition to Markle, celebs touting facial yoga to delay visible signs of aging include Gisele Bundchen and Kate Moss, who reportedly swear by holistic skin health. Other celebrities who use face yoga include Jennifer Aniston, Madonna, and Gwenyth Paltrow.

According to Harper’s Bazaar, A-List celebs who follow Joss’ savvy skin care tutorials have no need to turn to Botox and other invasive anti-aging strategies. Double-cleansing and super hydration are also essential to healthy looking skin.

Celebs listen to expert advice

Joss has been giving reliable cosmetic advice for a number of years, so it makes sense that Markle and other celebs would pay attention to what she says. In 2013, Joss told Cosmopolitan that the best tools to combat facial aging in wintertime are a high quality facial oil and a pair of clean hands.

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Sounds great. But is it true? Should your workouts extend above the neck as well as below? And will those exercises really do anything for those wrinkles, sagging jowls, or double chin?

“The first thing to know is that there really aren’t any good, rigorous, scientific studies that verify claims that face workouts are effective,” says Suzanne Olbricht, an associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School. And at first glance, at least some of the claims appear a little dubious, she says. In one article, for example, accompanying photographs show a woman who claims to have benefited from facial exercises. In this case, the changes to her appearance show improvements to the surface of her skin — mostly to her skin texture — which would be unlikely to result from exercising the underlying muscle, says Dr. Olbricht. Changes like this would be expected if she’d undergone a cosmetic treatment that targeted the surface of the skin, such as microneedling or a chemical peel, but would be unlikely to result from face workouts.

However, while a dose of skepticism is definitely warranted when it comes to some claims, this doesn’t mean you should completely discount the idea of exercising your face, she says. At least in theory, it’s possible that facial exercises could produce some benefits. Among them:

Reducing the appearance of thick scars. Face exercises, including stretching and movement, can be used to loosen up and lessen the appearance of a tight scar. “Massage and exercises that stretch the skin affected by scarring can make a thick scar become thinner and more pliable,” says Dr. Olbricht. This is a clear instance where facial exercises are recommended and likely to be effective.

Fighting gravity. Face exercises might also help improve muscle tone in the face and could theoretically help with gravity-related fat loss or redistribution on the face, says Dr. Olbricht. Building muscle in the face could potentially help keep fat — which might otherwise slide down with the pull of gravity — where it belongs. But now for the bad news: if exercise is able to produce an effect, any changes would likely be very subtle and far less than could be accomplished by other cosmetic methods, such as dermal fillers, she says.

“Truthfully, it’s hard to say whether face exercises are useful or not,” says Dr. Olbricht. But if you’re interested in giving it a shot, there’s really no drawback to trying. It’s not dangerous, and it won’t produce any ill resul

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