Age is a state of mind

When we are young, we just can’t wait to grow old – so we can do grownup stuff like wear a ton of makeup and party till the break of dawn. But the sad thing is, when we get old, don’t we all wish we could turn back time and look forever young? Of course, honey!

Thanks to plastic surgery, women can reverse the clock by a few years. But, it’s going to hurt and cost a fortune. I think the key to aging gracefully is still taking care of the skin religiously. Besides, it’s never too late to start now and spend a little. Believe me, all the effort will be worth it until the end.

Whatever age group you belong to, there are skin concerns that need to be addressed. Women in their 20s should start taking care of their skin by cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. Women in their 30s should treat their skin with anti-stress, anti-fatigue, and anti-pollution treatments. Women in their 40s should start their antiaging regimen. And women in their 50s should replenish, lift, and brighten the skin.

So, what’s the most critical age that women should look out for? Believe it or not, it’s the big 40.

"Physiologically, women in their 40s suffer from aging – and since most women aren’t happy with their antiaging treatments, Clarins brings the latest in technology to address this problem," says Clarins international trainer Peggy Cheng.

Usually, antiaging products only target the epidermis and produce more collagen to enable the person to look younger. Clarins believes this process isn’t enough. There are two areas of the skin that need to be addressed to effectively help slow down the aging process.

First, the langherans cells. These are immune cells in the epidermis that detect attackers. In other words, they are like the skin police, which protects the skin from free radicals. Cheng explains, "Reaching the age of 40, the skin’s immune defenses weaken. Skin renewal in the epidermis is necessary to becoming younger."

Second, the nerve-ending fibers of the skin need to be protected. Think of this as the skin’s guardian or the essential component of the skin’s network. In other words, they send messages to skin cells for renewal and deliver to different functions of the skin. "Without this, skin will automatically slow down, becoming weaker and losing its firmness," adds Cheng.

With Clarins’ new findings on the skin’s aging process, the company reformulated the Extra-Firming Day and Night creams to renew, protect, firm, soothe, and lift the skin. After all, it is at this age that women are at their "seductive peak" and intend to stay there for a long time.

During the day is when we take care of ourselves. Upon application of the Extra-Firming Day cream, it helps the skin in many ways – it preserves skin’s guardian cells, firms and tightens the skin and of course, protects against the harmful effects of pollution, thanks to the stimulen ingredient.

Plus, it has quick perk-me-up fragrance with floral notes of mandarin, jasmine, rose and a warm base of sandalwood and amber. So, expect the skin to be luminous, firmer, moisturized, and protected all day, with fine lines and wrinkles minimized.

At night, women take care of their skin to please the one they love. Clarins believes that women deserve happier and more fulfilled lives. "We do research to make men happy as well," says Cheng. The Extra-Firming Night cream smells like vanilla. It’s so sweet, good enough to eat like ice cream. Yum! So, your man won’t complain of a bitter taste on his lips after kissing your cheek.

The Extra-Firming Night cream contains glistin, which has a regenerating and neuro-protective action to preserve nerve endings to keep the skin network young. It also has other ingredients like glycerin and polysaccharides, brown algae, vitamin E, alfalfa and rosemary to relax skin. So ladies, expect the skin to be firm, smooth and soft. This will definitely make you sleep better as you wake up to glowing skin.

My mom is actually a loyal Clarins user. I gave her the old versions of the Extra-Firming range together with the serum last year. Since she has been using the products religiously day and night, her skin has been glowing like never before. The great thing is, people think she looks 10 years younger and that’s thanks to Clarins.

"With up to 83 percent reduction in wrinkles and 87 percent increase in skin firmness as proven by tests, Extra-Firming Night Cream and Extra-Firming Day Cream enhance the beauty of women over 40 and truly make life more beautiful," concludes Cheng.

Say goodbye to lines and dullness. With Clarins, the skin’s youthful charm remains forever.

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Clarins Extra-Firming creams come in two versions for all skin types (a fine, comfortable texture) and special for dry skin (rich, creamy texture), available at Rustan’s Department Store.