1. Slather on the sunscreen
We know, we know—you've heard it a million times, but wearing sunscreen
is the single easiest way to look younger for life. "Ninety percent of
wrinkles are from sun exposure," says Day. "It's so much easier to
prevent the damage than it is to fix it afterwards." That means no
slacking during winter months either, when rays are just as strong and
can reflect off of buildings and sidewalks. Look for a formula that
offers broad-spectrum protection to guard against UVA rays (the ones
that cause premature aging) and UVB rays (one of the main causes of skin
cancer). Try Philosophy Shelter Broad Spectrum Sunscreen in SPF30.
2. Clean your makeup brushes
A British study found that 72% of women never wash their brushes or
sponges, even though they collect dirt and bacteria which can cause
breakouts. "You should wash loose powder brushes every two to three
weeks, and those used to apply foundation once a week," says Jessica Wu,
an LA-based dermatologist and author of Feed Your Face. Mix a couple of
drops of gentle facial cleanser or shampoo and lukewarm water in a cup,
swish your brushes around, rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and lay
flat to air dry.
3. Munch on mixed nuts
Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, which increases skin elasticity and
may decrease skin cancer, according to recent studies. Throw in
walnuts—which are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids—to lower inflammation
and put the brakes on breakouts, says Molly Morgan, Board Certified
Sports Specialist Dietitian and author of The Skinny Rules. Finally, add
some macadamias. "They're full of high quality oils and fatty acids
that aid in skin repair and rejuvenation" says integrative practitioner
Isaac Eliaz. Aim for a handful of each daily to reap their
pore-perfecting benefits.
4. Start using serum
"It's much more concentrated than cream or lotion, so you tend to only
need a small amount daily to see results," says Fran Cook-Bolden,
Director of New York's Skin Specialty Dermatology. Look for one with
antioxidants, the skin's major defense against free radicals and stress,
and pentapeptides, which are a must-have when it comes to boosting
collagen, the support structure that gives skin a firm, youthful
appearance. Don't worry about spending a fortune on the ingredients; one
of Cook-Bolden's favorites is Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum
(£24.45, Cosmetics Now),
a sheer formula whose small molecules can dive deep into pores. For
best results, apply to freshly washed skin; follow with sunscreen or
moisturiser to lock in hydration.
5. Sanitize your Smartphone
According to a Stanford University study, that iPhone you can't keep
your hands off of can get more germ-infested than a toilet in a public
toilet. In fact, the glass touchscreens on mobile devices are so good at
spreading viruses that sharing them may be almost as bad as sneezing in
someone's face. Here's a scary thought: All those germs land right on
your cheek and jawline every time you chat away, causing spots and
irritation. To keep your phone (and face) bacteria-free, wipe it down
with an antibacterial wipe like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes a few times a
day.
6. Put your skin stash in proper order
The sequence in which you apply your products could be even more
important than the products themselves. Reach for those with the most
active ingredients as soon as you wash and pat skin dry. "These are the
most powerful, so you want them to come into direct contact with your
skin," says Syed Amiry, a dermatologist practicing in Reston, Virginia.
If you're using more than one active product (like an antioxidant serum
and Retin-A), start with the thinner one. "Anything that's water soluble
should go first, followed by the product that's thicker and creamier.
If you do it in reverse, the heavier cream will block the ingredients of
the lighter one from penetrating the skin, so they won't have any
impact." If you need moisturiser, it's next up in line, followed up
by—what else?—sunscreen each morning.
7. Drop dairy from your diet (even that little bit in your latte)
"Dairy products—even those that are organic—contain cow hormones that
stimulate your oil glands and your pores, leading to acne," explains Wu.
Beware of hidden dairy in foods like salad dressing, protein bars, and
shakes. And if you have to go there, stick to skimmed milk. "The
hormones are concentrated in the fat, so it's your best option."
8. Start using retinol
"Everyone should use retinol," says New York dermatologist Doris Day.
"It has decades of clinical data to support its efficacy, helps skin
cell turnover, and boosts collagen production to keep skin firm and
youthful." Most dermatologists agree that if you're only going to use
one anti-aging product, prescription Retin-A (and even highstreet
versions like No Wrinkles Extreme Moisturiser, £41.40)
is the magic bullet, and can even reverse abnormal and cancerous
growth, among other forms of sun damage. "It has great anti-inflammatory
effects, which is why it's as effective at treating acne as it is at
treating wrinkles and other signs of aging," adds Amiry.
9. Hit the sack early
We know, you've heard it all before, but it's called beauty sleep for a
reason. "Sleep deprivation lowers circulation, which is why you look
pale and washed out if you only get a few hours," says Amy Wechsler, one
of only two U.S. physicians board-certified in both dermatology and
psychiatry. It's also the best time to rejuvenate your skin. "Your
body's cellular renewal team has the night shift, so this is when you
want to equip your skin with as many nutrients and hydrating ingredients
it needs to do a fine job," she says.
To make the most of your beauty sleep, check out these 7 beauty buys that work while you sleep.
10. Exfoliate for smaller-looking pores
It's amazing how something so tiny can feel so huge, but enlarged pores
are one of the most common beauty complaints. "Pores appear larger when
they're filled with dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and keratin, a protein
that lives on the surface of skin," explains Amiry. "Remove those plugs,
and they seem to shrink." To clear out the gunk, start exfoliating
regularly with daily applications of salicylic and glycolic acid, like
those in Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel (£51, Murad).
Then add a cleansing system (like Clarisonic Mia 2, £125, Clarisonic)
to soften and smooth skin, and clear the dead surface cells. To keep
pores from getting even bigger as you age, practice safe sun. "Sun
damage breaks down collagen, which can affect pore size as well."
11. Give your skin a sip of merlot
Resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant and polyphenol found in red grape
skins, has been found to prevent the lines, wrinkles, and sagging caused
by environmental skin saboteurs like smog and second-hand smoke. "In
many preparations, it's an even more powerful antioxidant than vitamin
C, and studies show it creates mild-to-moderate skin tightening for a
firmer look," says board certified dermatologist and research scientist
Erin Gilbert. Apply a small pump of Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum
(£70, Dermacare Direct) each night to plump up lines and smooth skin texture.
12. Don't neglect your neck and chest
Most of us are guilty of stopping our skincare routine as soon as we
hit our chin. And our neglected neck and chest take vengeance by
wrinkling, sagging, and displaying dark spots that beg to be hidden by a
turtleneck. "The skin on these areas is thinner, and doesn't have a
strong blood supply, so it doesn't heal well," explains Amiry. "Plus
it's an area that we often forget to protect with sunscreen." Use the
same products as you would on your face, but start lightly (every other
day) when applying active ingredients like retinols or acids since they
may cause some initial irritation.
13. Strip off your makeup before bed
Leaving makeup and dirt on skin doesn't just clog pores; it can cause
excessive dryness and even skin dandruff. "Most makeup contains a
sugar-type molecule that can grow yeast overnight," says Macrene
Alexiades-Armenakas, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale
School of Medicine. Don't forget to thoroughly remove eye makeup too.
"It can lead to bumpy rashes around the eyes or small white bumps called
milia cysts," says Wu. Try Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent, (£18,
Clinique) a gentle, oil-free cleanser that quickly melts away everything
from waterproof liner to mascara.
14. Running low on sleep?
Pick up some soy milk. Wu keeps a carton in her fridge at all times to
"fake a good night's sleep." The natural anti-inflammatory reduces
swelling while soy proteins hydrate skin to soften the look of crow's
feet. The cold temperature helps shrink swelling and constricts veins to
make eyes look less bloodshot. To make soothing, redness-busting
compresses, pour a small amount of soy milk in a bowl, dunk two cotton
balls, and squeeze out the excess. Then hold the cotton balls over your
eyes (or any other area where you have red or irritated skin) for five
minutes.
15. Roll away your puffy eyes this morning
"Fluid fills up under our eyes each night because we're lying down,"
says dermatological surgeon Anne Chapas. Start by sleeping on two
pillows to elevate the face. In the morning, massage away the excess
fluid with the Garnier Caffeine Eye Roll-On (£6.49, Boots),
which manually pushes out fluid. To reduce dark shadows, use your ring
finger to lightly tap GinZing Eye Cream (£23, Origins), which contains
caffeine, onto the delicate area. "Caffeine constricts vessels to
minimize leaking, which causes the darkening, while titanium dioxide,
mica, and iron oxides reflect light away to brighten."
16. Stay out of hot water
A steamy shower may feel great, but it's one of the worst things you
can do for your skin. Not only does the heat strip essential oils, but
it creates a mild burn. Blood vessels respond by dilating in an effort
to cool the skin, causing flushing and ruddiness. "When you're in your
twenties, you can take a hot shower, be red & swollen and recover in
an hour, but in your thirties, it may take 2 hours," says
Alexiades-Armenakas. "By your forties, your skin just doesn't have the
ability to shrink back to its original state so you stay ruddy all the
time."
17. Don't wait to moisturise
Most creams and lotions have key ingredients that create a protective
barrier on the surface of the skin to lock in moisture, but because skin
cools itself by evaporating water, you only have a few minutes before
that hydration is gone forever. Slather on a moisturiser with natural
silicone, while your face is still damp. Alexiades-Armenakas' research
shows that it locks in moisture for up to 24 hours, plumping and
improving the appearance of fine lines as skin drinks up the moisture
(like the difference between a raisin and a grape). Try Three Kings
Deeply Moisturising Face Cream (£19.50, Aranais).
18. Be extra gentle when defuzzing your face
Waxing and tweezing can cause scarring or spots, especially for women
with darker skin. Prep your skin before hair removal by washing the area
with an antibacterial wash, suggests Cook-Bolden. And to avoid
discoloration, make sure to have an aftercare plan that includes
anti-inflammatory ingredients to quickly calm skin and help it heal.
Cook-Bolden recommends a dab of Avène Cicalfate Restorative Cream
(£19.45, Cosmetics Now)
immediately after hair removal, and for a few days afterwards.
"Investing in this type of product will save you money in the long run
since preventing discoloration costs a lot less than trying to get rid
of it."
19. Snack on watermelon
Adding a lycopene-rich food, such as this juicy pink treat, "helps
reduce damage and redness caused from sun exposure, prevents future
wrinkling and possibly even lowers skin cancer risk," says Elizabeth
Somer, nutritionist and author of Eat Your Way to Sexy. Aim for one cup
each day by tossing it in salads, salsas, and smoothies. Or try her
recipe for refreshing ice cubes: Purée watermelon, sweeten with
concentrated apple juice, pour into an ice tray, and freeze. Then add
cubes to water (fizzy or still) for a refreshing, skin-saving mocktail.
20. Exfoliate… without scrubbing
"Over time, the natural enzymes in your skin work less effectively at
removing dead skin cells, so they hang on and prevent your skin from
reflecting light," says Wechsler. The result? You look ashy and gray.
Speed up your skin's cellular turnover and smooth its surface with
alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) like glycolic or lactic acid. But beware:
Although lots of products include AHAs, the concentration is often too
low to do much. "Look at the label to see how much it contains and pick
one that's around 8%. Anything more is too much." Expect some initial
stinging at first; it should subside as your skin gets used to it.
21. Slip on your sunglasses
As if you need another reason to buy a new pair of sunglasses, turns
out they provide more protection against undereye wrinkling and aging
than sunscreen. "While your eyes are equipped to handle sunlight, the
area around them is comprised of the thinnest skin, where most of the
signs of aging are," says Amiry. "Every time you squint from bright
light, you're creating lines from that repeat movement." To keep the
wrinkles away, choose a pair of polarized glasses that's wide enough to
fully cover the eye area.
22. Drink an extra glass of water
"Water helps clear the toxins that cause inflammation and blemishes,"
explains Eliaz. "It also assists in transporting nutrients and oxygen to
skin cells, and preventing dehydration, which can cause premature
aging." It can even make skin appear fuller since the hyaluronic acid
that naturally exists in skin will pull in and hold the water for a
wrinkle-plumping effect, according to Day. Both recommend at least 8
glasses of water each day, more if you're active or live in a warm
climate. To add a little flavour, try a skin-soothing tea like chamomile
or mint.
23. Pour yourself a bowl of Cheerios for breakfast
If your skin has a case of the blahs, a lack of zinc may be to blame.
"People who are trying to lose weight or eating a lot of processed foods
might not be getting enough zinc to keep their skin glowing," says
Wechsler. And since zinc helps repair damaged tissues and heal wounds,
it also helps clear acne and other irritating skin conditions. A cup of
Cheerios has 25 percent of the daily recommended value of the powerhouse
nutrient, which will get you well on your way to a clear complexion.
24. Be patient with your products
We're all in a hurry to see results, but putting on the brakes can
ensure that the results you get are positive. When you're starting a new
product, use it every other day, and never try a few new buys at once.
"Even if you just got a new skincare system, introduce one product every
three to four days at the least," says Cook-Bolden. "You'll rarely
experience dryness, irritation, and burning. And if you do, you'll know
right away who the culprit is." Give any new potion at least 12 weeks
(and up to 6 months) to see if it's really improving your skin before
calling it quits.
25. Put down the French fries
Research shows that a diet high in fats and carbohydrates causes more
wrinkles. "Creamy cheeses and red meats are actually known as aging fats
because of what they do to our skin," says Wechsler. To keep your cells
revved up and rejuvenated, stick to lean protein like fish, white meat
poultry, tofu, beans and lentils.
26. Don't forget your veggies
Look for an anti-aging cream that has plant-derived antioxidants such
as mushroom or soy. Data from Alexiades-Armenakas' lab shows that the
level of antioxidant-free radical scavenging (i.e. the little warriors
that fight off all of the bad stuff that causes premature aging) with
plant-derived antioxidants is off the charts. "Plants have anti-cancer
properties when we eat them, which means they survive the digestive
process," she says. "Think of what that that means for their
long-lasting powerful benefits when applied directly to the skin." Try
Dr. Andrew Weil for Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum, (£46,
Origins).
27. Eat your broccoli
Move over, oranges. "Just a half cup of raw broccoli is loaded with 65
percent of your daily value of vitamin C," says Morgan. Research shows
that vitamin C-rich foods not only mop up the free radicals that cause
wrinkles and sagging, but can help remove the DNA damage they form.
While you're reaping the wound-healing and skin-protecting benefits of
eating more vitamin C, try smoothing some on your skin as well. In one
study, women who treated sun-damaged skin with a vitamin C cream for six
months saw significant improvement in fine lines and discoloration.
28. Keep your hands off your face
"Picking—even lightly—can permanently damage skin," says Amiry. "I
actually have patients whose skin cleared up with no medications, just
because they stopped touching it." Every time you press against a
pimple, it causes inflammation and distress to the skin. At the same
time, bacteria is pushed deep inside the pore, and the oil glands burst,
causing even more trauma. The result? More acne, plus discoloration and
scarring. If you're really hooked on popping, leave it to the pros and
schedule regular monthly extractions with an aesthetician who knows how
to do them safely and gently.
29. Whip up a berry tasty treat for your skin
A powerful (cheap!) anti-aging potion is lurking right in your fridge.
Raspberries are loaded with ellagic acid, an antioxidant that research
shows can prevent wrinkles when applied to the skin. "It protects the
collagen that keeps skin plump and beautiful from being worn down by the
sun," says Wu. Add in honey, a natural humectant that holds water
against the skin for maximum moisture, and you've got a recipe for
gorgeous, dewey skin. Mash up a handful of raspberries with a spoonful
of honey, and apply the mask to clean skin for 15-20 minutes. Rinse and
pat dry.
30. Make your sunscreen work harder for you
Antioxidants like vitamin C offer an extra layer of protection again
environmental damage and toxins, diverting them before they can damage
your cells. "That's why applying them as part of your morning routine
boosts the efficacy of your sunscreen," explains Amiry. "It's important
to know that sunscreens are chemicals that you are applying to your skin
and they absorb into your body. So, use a lighter sunscreen daily such
as SPF 15 along with vitamin C and a higher sunscreen (about 30) every
two hours if you are outdoors for a long period of time."
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