Treatment

Vitamin K. Microsponge-based vitamin K is being promoted to clear bruises spider veins, and other small blood vessel damage. Vitamin K is important for blood clotting.

Dimeracin, a new cream in clinical studies, can repair sun-related DNA damage in skin cells. The cream contains an enzyme capable of repairing damaged DNA. It shows significant benefits in reducing rates of non-melanoma skin cancer in people with a genetic risk for these cancers. The drug manufacturer hopes to find a way to incorporate this cream into sunscreens.

Moisturizers

Moisturizers help prevent dryness, bruising, and tearing. They have no effect on wrinkles by themselves. Moisturizers should be applied while the skin is still damp. These products retain skin moisture in various ways:

• Occlusives, such as petroleum jelly, prevent water from evaporating.
• Humectants, including glycerin, act by pulling water up to the surface of the skin from deep tissues. People with oily skin generally should use the humectant type.
• More powerful compounds, such as one called monolaurin (Glylorin), contain mixtures of fatty molecules (lipids), which may help restore the skin's natural barriers against moisture loss and damage.

Most moisturizers contain combinations of these and usually have other ingredients, such as AHA, sunscreens, collagen, and keratin. Collagen and keratin leave a protein film and temporarily stretch the skin. They range widely in price, and a major consumer organization found little difference in general between the more and less expensive products.

Under-Eye Creams

The skin under the eyes is very thin and does not produce as much of the protective oils that keep skin soft and supple. Under-eye gels are aimed at reducing puffiness and dark circles. They typically work in one of two ways:

• Temporarily constricting blood vessels to prevent the build-up of fluids.
• Firming the skin with an invisible film.
• Never rub under the eyes, as this may cause more wrinkles to form. Instead, apply these products with a light tapping motion to stimulate the skin.

Cosmetics

Cosmetics, if properly applied, can be surprisingly effective in camouflaging the signs of aging skin, including wrinkles and age spots. Moreover, they offer additional benefits by retarding water loss and providing a physical barrier to UV radiation. However, as women age, less is more. Here are some suggestions for older women:

Moisturizers. Moisturizers should be applied before foundation. If reddish discoloration is extensive or the skin is sallow, tinted moisturizers may be helpful and can be worn alone or under foundation.

Foundations. Caking on make-up will cause cracks at the wrinkle lines and only increase the appearance of aging. Large areas of the face are best covered with a moderate-coverage foundation with a matte or semi-matte finish. Facial powder reflects light and thus minimizes wrinkles but should be avoided by people with dry skin.

Correcting Color. When blemishes are especially prominent, applying color correctors under the foundation can be very effective:

• Green neutralizers mask red lesions.
• Yellow will camouflage dark circles and bruises.
• Mauve (a purplish-pink color) helps neutralize sallow skin or yellowish blemishes.
• A white, pearled base helps to minimize wrinkles.

Blushes. Blushes and color washes can help conceal the spidery network of dilated capillaries on the nose and cheeks. Powder blushes are preferred because they blend easily on top of foundation.

Eyes. Powder eye shadows applied on top of a moisturizer are preferred to cream-based shadows. The appearance of deep-set eyes is best offset with light-colored shadow, which should be applied along the upper eyelid crease and above the iris (the colored part of the eye). A slightly deeper shade of the same color should then be applied to the lower part of the eyelid and drawn out to the corner.

Lips. A lip-setting cream or facial foundation should be applied before lipstick to help prevent it from bleeding into surrounding wrinkles. Try using a stiff bristle brush instead of a lip pencil. The brush will help keep the lipstick on and prevent bleeding. (Some women use the pencil itself for the full lip, which gives color but appears natural.) Some make-up artists recommend cream lipsticks instead of matte.