
Good skin care involves more than making sure you wipe your makeup off every night.
Always Use An Eye Cream
“The eyelid skin is the thinnest and most delicate skin and shows age the fastest”, Says Debra Jaliman, MD, author of Skin Rules and an assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. So even though the skin-care aisle can be incredibly overwhelming, it’s worth spending some time there. To ensure effectiveness, look for peptides and antioxidants on an eye cream’s ingredient list, suggest Dr. Jaliman.
Sleep On A Silk Pillowcase
You’ve probably heard rumors about sleep lines: The way you snooze could leave unsightly lines on your face. Some research suggests it’s not true: One study from the University of Michigan found sleep position had little impact on the appearance of wrinkles or fine lines. But what could impact the pesky lines? The material on which you snooze, with silk, your face will slide – not crunch – against the pillow, says Dr. Jaliman. This means you’ll avoid even the possibility of the marks (and you’ll be more comfortable!).
Eat The Rainbow
A white bread-based diet does not clear skin make. That’s why Dr. Jaliman makes sure her diet is packed with brightly –colored fruits and vegetables, especially these. “Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants which give glow to the skin”, she says. Specifically, research suggest that pigments called carotenoids – found in foods like carrots, spinach, and other leafy greens, and tomatoes – have been linked to healthy glow.
Use Headphones When You Chat
Your cell phone has more germs than a toilet seat. Cue the ick factor: In a small sample of 51 phones, University of Oregon researchers found 7,000 different kinds of bacteria. So do as skin doctors do and keep your iPhone away from your face. Some of the bacteria on the surface of your device can cause breakouts, says Dr. Jaliman.
Cut Your Sugar Intake
In November, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed that added sugars – the non –natural kinds added to processed foods – not exceed 10 percent of your total calories for the day. And nutritionists aren’t the only ones cutting back on the sweet stuff – dermatologist have long known about sugar’s negative side effects for your skin. Sugar molecules can stiffen collagen – the protein that helps keep your skin healthy – and cause wrinkles, Dr. Jaliman says.
Sunscreen is Imperative
Everyone has heard time and time again that sunscreen is essential for anti-aging skin care. What many people don’t know is that sunscreen should always be the first thing you apply to your face, not the last. According to board certified Dr. Neal Schults, host of DermTV.com and creator of BeautyRx by Dr.Schultz, “The reason being that when the sunscreen was tested by the FDA it was applied to absolutely bare skin – so if you want the rated sunscreen protection, it needs to be applied first. When I’m spending time outside, I abide by the shadow rule. When my shadow is shorter than I am, then I know the sun is at it’s strongest, and even with sunscreen – which I apply daily – it’s important to limit sun exposure”.
Harvard – educated dermatologist Victoria A. Cirillo MD of Philadelphia agree, “The way I remember to apply sunscreen throughout the day is tied to an Australian saying “Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide”. I’ve told it so many times to my own family when on trips. It means: Slip on a shirt, Slop on SPF 30+, Slap on a hat, Seek shade or shelter, and Slide on some sunglasses”.
Utilize Tomatoes
Telling someone “your cheeks are as red as a tomato” have long remained a reference to their vigorous, thriving health. Well, there’s a good reason behind that: health and tomatoes have always been interlinked due to the fact that the red fruit holds a plethora of nutritional benefits. Dr. John Layke, Beverly Hills cosmetic + plastic surgeon, swears by using tomatoes to bright skin, reduce age spots, and reduce discoloration duet to high levels of lycopene, a potent antioxidant.
Maintain A Consistent Morning And Night Routine
Oversleeping in the morning or getting back late at night might discourage you from fulfilling your skin routine. However, Dr. Loretta Ciraldo stresses the need to maintain morning and evening routines. “I often compare a once daily use of a product that’s recommended for a twice a day as only getting “half the dose” of what you need for desired results. If I need to give someone an antibiotic shot and I dump out half the amount of medicine before I give the shot, they’d know I am wasting their time and lowering efficacy. It’s really very similar with using skincare just as recommended!”
Be a Minimalist
People try unusual approaches to skin in their quest for perfect, glowy skin, but the standard cliché really does ring true in the case of skin care: less is more. Dr. Tyler Hollming, dermatologist and director of Laser and Aesthetic Surgery at Stanford Health Care, says, “As a rough rule with cosmetic products, fewer ingredients is better, so I like products without lots of additives such as fragrances. In the evening, I cleanse my skin to remove grime/pollution with water and a gentle exfoliant, then moisturize with a cream (something that comes in a tub rather than a pump-bottle is generally best) and head to bed.
Use Mineral – Based Products
Unlike traditional globs of thick foundation, mineral makeup lines tend to be free of preservatives and chemicals. Since these steer away from products with parabens, dyes and fragrances, women with skin conditions like eczema or rosacea who don’t want to forgo makeup will find themselves in their wheelhouse here. Dr. Janet Prystowsky, leading board-certified dermatologist in New York, says, “I use a liquid tinted mineral based sunscreen on my face as a foundation. Look for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in the active ingredients. Elsewehere, I’ll use clear mineral and chemical based sunscreens because they absorb well and don’t stain my clothing”.
Dabble In Diet Supplements
Don’t neglect the bounty of vitamins, minerals, herbals, and enzymes flooding the drugstore aisle; these pills are rich in nutrients that can revitalize your skin from the inside. Whether you opt for the traditional tablets, capsule, powders, or even energy bars, popping these into your diet as a secret cheat-worthy hack for those too busy to regulate a diverse menu. Dr. Robon Evand, board-certified dermatologist and a Clinical Instructor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine says, “I take fish oil every morning – 1500 mg EPA and DHA;flax oil which helps hydrate dry skin and flax seed for its anty-inflammatory benefits.
Avoid Hot Showers
This one may come as a disappointment to those who thrive in hot showers steamy enough to burn a man, but dousing yourself in blazing water may be doing your skin a serious disservice. It removes too much of your natural oils and brings blood circulation to your skin, creating inflammatory reactions that result in rashes and aggravate those with eczema or dry patches. According to celebrity dermatologist and head of Skinfluence Dr.Marina Peredo, “During the summers, I regularly take cold showers. After prolonged sun exposure, a hot shower can further dry out skin, causing more damage. Also, excessive sweating leaves you more susceptible to acne breakouts. Cool off by turning down the head help keep your skin healthy in the summer months”.
Try Retinoids
Retionids are an unfortunately underrated element in the standard skin care routine, but most dermatologist are nearly unanimous in proclaiming their unwavering devotion to retinoids. Countless studies prove their capability to boost cell turnover, ramp up collagen growth, diminish pigment production, treat acne, and ward off skin cancer. Dr.Joyce Park, NYC based dermatologist and health/beauty blogger, says, “I recommend a topical retinoid like tretinoin on its over the counter counterpart Differin, which is a vitamin A derivate that treats acne, lightens darks spots, and helps build more collagen and prevent skin aging. After washing my face and patting dry, I apply a pea-sized to my entire face. I have very sensitive skin and some of the side effects include irritation, redness, and milk skin peeling so I try to use my retinoid every 2-3 nights”.
Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate
Exfoliating will not only slough up dead cells for a more radiant complexion, it will also scrub away excess oil and clogged pores that lead to blemishes and acne down the road. According to cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss of Union Square Laser Dermatology, “Exfoliation is essential! Twice to maximum three times a week is the sweet spot. Avoid the exfoliating mistake of using hard beady scrubs as they may further irritate you or even lead to scarring. Try sticking to gentle chemical exfoliates such as a cleanser with lactic acid or, my personal favorite, glycolic acid and peels. This renews your skin on a regular basis, keeping fine at bay and minimizing pores overall!”
Antioxidants Are Vital
Just like your internal body requires a balanced medley of beneficial nutrients, so does your skin. Think of antioxidants as food for the skin; not only do they combat aging, but they also limit the production of free radicals. Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, dermatologist and clinical instructor at the Mount Sinai Iachn School of Medicine, says, “Free radicals are created when skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, pollution, and environmental stressors. Antioxidants reduces this oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals. By adding an antioxidant, you are adding a boosting your sun protection with your sunscreen as well as protection to other stressors”.
Bar Soaps Are A Great Way To Get Clean, And No, It’s Not Bad For Skin
One of the biggest shower dilemma debates is the one between bar soap and body wash. While many trend to run away from bar soap due to its bad stigma, any product that includes water (like liquid soap) among its ingredients mandates a preservative, which is packed with drying chemicals and surfactants. But soap is made with sodium hydroxide, so the formula consists of only soap molecules and moisturizing glycerin.