IMAGE POINT

SKIN CARE:

The Whole Truth and

Nothing But The Truth

Do you really want to know the secret to having great looking, healthy and youthful looking skin? The truth is: faithful, tender loving care.

The Proof

You could pay a million dollars for a promise of wrinkle softeners, and various other product "guarantees," but I tell you a truth: the proof is not in the product alone. It's how conscientious you are in the proper treatment of your skin.

Good skin care produces good-looking skin. Here are a few tips:

• Treat your skin as gently as you would a baby's bottom. Always be gentle with your skin. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER pull, tug, stretch, pinch or pick at it. NEVER.

• STOP rubbing your eyes. This causes more lines, wrinkles, bruising and discoloration that you can imagine. The skin around your eyes is ultra-thin and very easily damaged. If your eyes itch or tire, you probably rub them a hundred times a day. Try this: STOP THE RUBBING for five days. You will be amazed at the healing, the clearer color, and the disappearance of the discoloration around your eyes. In many cases, those "bags" are bruises and swelling from all that rubbing!

• Invest in skin care products (inexpensive products are fine) and use them faithfully. Wash gently, rinse extremely well, tone and moisturize, twice a day at least. The regimen is the same for men and women.

• MEN ONLY: After shaving, apply witch hazel, and moisturize LIGHTLY with natural aloe vera before you apply your aftershave or cologne. You will enjoy the results of better looking and better feeling skin in the long term.

• If you have discoloration or spotty areas on your face, use a little hydrogen peroxide on a cotton pad and wipe those areas at least once daily.

• Once or twice a week, prick open a vitamin E capsule, spread the oil onto your face. Apply a warm cloth to your face about three or four times, for about a minute. Then, wipe off the excess. This stimulates your skin, opens your pores, adds moisture and the natural properties of vitamin E into your skin.

• Treat yourself to an expert if necessary, but remember, for the best care in the long run, it's in your own hands. That's the truth.

S.R. F.