Perhaps one of the most sought after skin care helpers on the market is the serum. What are serums you ask? Serums are highly concentrated liquids that are designed to target specific skin problems in specific areas. Most serums are intended to help fight the signs of aging. Although there are many serums on the market, choosing the right type of serum for your needs will ensure you get the best results. Truly this can be a factor which makes all the difference in the results you’ll see. Selecting from top quality products is a great way to increase the chances that you’ll be satisfied with your results.

First of all, it is important that you select a serum that will work well with your skin type. This means that you need to select a product which is specifically designed for your skin type and the skin problems that you are trying to solve.

Whether it’s a pimple before picture day, a cluster of unsightly blackheads before the homecoming dance, or deep, painful cystic acne through all of sophomore year, most of us had to deal with the frustration of acne as a teenager. As difficult and unpleasant as the experience is, though, you can usually get through it by telling yourself that it’s only temporary and once you get out of those awkward teen years, you’ll have clear, healthy skin.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. A growing number of people in their late 20’s, 30s, and even 40’s find themselves dealing with persistent breakouts. In fact, adult acne can often be worse than teen cases because it is more inflammatory and deep-rooted, with pimples and nodules forming beneath the skin.  Typically, adult acne affects women more than men, and persistent cases usually develop on the chin, jawline and around the mouth.

There can be several reasons that you’re experiencing acne even if you’ve long passed your 18^th birthday.  Just as with teens, adult skin can produce an excess of sebum, particularly if you’re experiencing stress at home or work. Stress causes an increase in androgen production, which is a hormone that triggers oil production and can cause sebum to build up. When there’s an excess of sebum, pores can become clogged, allowing bacteria to accumulate and acne to develop.

When it comes to anti-aging products, our number one priority is usually the face.   Fighting the crow’s feet around our eyes, expression lines on our foreheads, and wrinkles around our mouths is like a crusade.  Some of us even put in hours at the gym to prevent Father Time from etching his way across our stomach, arms, and backside with sagging skin and unsightly fat pockets.

But there’s one area that many of us overlook in our anti-aging fight – and it’s a spot that can show our age just as surely as any lines or wrinkles on our faces.

Our hands.

In fact, the skin on your hands can actually age more quickly than your face. That’s because there isn’t much fat beneath the skin on the back of the hand, so when collagen and elastin begins to wear down due to sun damage and normal aging, wrinkles are more pronounced, veins start to bulge, and the skin may develop a crepey texture. The hands are also a prime location for brown spots and other age-related hyperpigmentation issues.

Men are from Mars; women are from Venus… or at least, that’s how the saying goes.

One area where men and women are definitely different is skincare, both in terms of their needs and their preferences. Guys don’t want to follow a complicated, multi-step regime that requires slathering on a bunch of serums and creams. They usually don’t like using products marketed mainly to women either, which can be an issue since most skincare lines do target female customers.

And some guys just feel a little silly or vain if they start using a cream designed to get rid of the lines around their eyes.

But there’s an even bigger reason why many traditional anti-aging and skincare products don’t work for men – the products aren’t only marketed toward women; they’re formulated for women too.

If you haven’t been focusing on proper skin care, you may be noticing that as you age, you start getting more acne and skin spots. I know that my skin typically changes every few years, whether because of my diet or stress.  Change your skin care routine to fit the skin type you’re currently experiencing. Do not use the same products despite changes in your skin. To start the routine, first take the time to learn your skin type and get to know the quality products. You don’t just want any run-of-the-mill product at your local drug store. Give your skin the kind of vitamins and nutrients it deserves.

Whether your skin is looking less healthy or you simply want to give it a boost, masks are a great way to accomplish this. I have tried countless to find the ones that work best for my specific skin type (normal with combination skin in my t-zone). The following masks are some of the best on the market and will leave your skin feeling clean, refreshed and revitalized, no matter your skin type. When choosing a mask, pay attention to what skin type it is best for. Some masks contain ingredients that aren’t the best for sensitive skin and could cause a negative reaction.

The winter can be harsh on your skin, no matter what your climate is. Here in the New York Metro area, we get a harsh winter with off and on frigid temperatures. Moisturizing the skin is important as the cold, windy weather causes extreme dryness and can even lead to more serious conditions like cracking and flaking. If this is the case for you, the following tips will help you to look and feel your best even during the winter season.