Most of us are all too familiar with that “dreaded” internal clock that wakes us at 7:00 AM on the weekend, despite our desire to sleep in. We fail to appreciate that this internal clock is part of a natural body rhythm that can dramatically impact our skin.

Scientific studies have revealed that our skin’s biological functions follow “circadian cycles” which vary over the course of a 24 hour period. In the skin’s biological clock, epidermal cell renewal and the permeability of the skin are both highest during the night.

The trick to good skincare is taking advantage of this knowledge and utilizing it to enhance our skin’s health. Because the permeability of the skin is higher at night, more water loss naturally occurs at night. Consequently, a moisturizer that offers greater skin permeability and prevents water loss, should be applied before bedtime, to ensure moist, hydrated skin.

To provide the greatest effectiveness, a moisturizer should meet two tests. First, it should contain certain natural ingredients that have been specially formulated to be easily accepted by the skin. Green tea compounds, for example, are a must for today’s moisture creams, as these compounds are seen by many scientists as skin cell rejuvenators.

Secondly, moisture cream should contain the latest silicone technology. Silicone molecules in a moisture cream provide a more even coverage than the molecules in hydrocarbon-based moisturizers by forming a sheet of hydration over the skin.

We sleep for approximately one-third of our lives, so let’s make our sleep useful by developing good sleep habits and utilizing products that rebuild skin while we sleep. With ingredients that are formulated to work on a sub-cellular level and provide extra hydration to your skin, you’ll be working with your skin’s natural rhythms.

Copyright 2005 Alpha Ward-Burns

Alpha Ward-Burns is a cancer survivor and co-founder of Skin Solved, a skincare company devoted to achieving healthy skin through the use of scientifically advanced skincare with natural ingredients. You may contact Alpha at http://www.skinsolved.com

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Many people avoid chemical and over the counter medicines in favor of natural skin care products. Non-natural products can contain a lot of confusing ingredients and some people are simply concerned about applying something they know nothing about to their skin. Or you could just beware of the tendency of some products to irritate the skin by containing chemicals like alcohol which are drying and harsh.

There are many natural skin care products being sold both online and offline which are available to those who wish to try alternative ways to care for their bodies. Though the FDA doesn’t regulate the sale of skin care products or cosmetics so you may be buying something that’s too strong or that doesn’t have an allergy warning label on it. It is best before using a product that you rub a small dab on a sensitive area such as the skin of your inner elbow and wait a day or so to see if you’ve developed a reaction to it. A reaction would be itching or red skin. If you have a reaction pass on using the skin care product because you may be allergic to one of the ingredients.

It’s always possible to make your own home skin care products. You can pick up a simple base lotion at the store and add a few drops of essential oils like rose hips, or add some Aloe Vera gel fresh from the plant. Essential oils are very strong so be sure not to add more than a drop or two at most to a full bottle of lotion or cream. You could end up making a product yourself is much too strong for the delicate skin tissue. Many websites have directions for making your own natural products with names like Yummy Tropical Butter and Peppermint Cucumber body cream.

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Take care of your skin now and you’ll reap the rewards later. Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman have flawless skin. Legendary beauty, Sophia Loren gives meaning to the phrase “aging with grace”.

Of course these beauties have an advantage that most Americans do not have - large amounts of money. Many of us cannot afford to spend large amounts of money for beauty products. Some celebrities are known to spend up to $500 on small jars of “fountain of youth” type elixirs.

So what can the average American do in their quest for healthy looking skin? Stick to two basic practices: