Wouldn’t it be nice if acne woes ended in high school? Unfortunately, getting great-looking skin is a never-ending battle that intensifies with age as we welcome the onset of under-eye circles, fine lines and wrinkles. There’s plenty that can be done, however, that doesn’t involve knives, lasers and needles. Here’s a look at what you can do to maintain a flawless complexion.
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Sun protection: It cannot be overstated how important it is to wear sunscreen every single day of the year. UVA — the aging rays — are just as strong in the depth of summer as they are in the middle of winter so there’s no point in buying anti-aging products if you’re not applying sunscreen first — new damage will be created faster than any product can fix it. Learn more here.
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Use beauty products with SPF in the formulation: This is especially important in the summer. Use tinted moisturizers and powder foundations with SPF and don’t forget to protect your scalp with an SPF spray (this will work double-duty to protect your hair from color fading), and lips with an SPF lip balm.
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Get facials: Ideally, get a facial every four weeks. Your face is constantly being exposed to sun, cold, wind and pollutants, so a monthly deep cleansing and moisturizing is crucial. Facials can also help anti-aging products work better since they help relax the muscles and tone the face, allowing for better absorption of skincare. While it’s preferable to work with a skincare specialist, if a spa facial is out of your budget, there are a number of ways to give yourself a DIY one at home. Here’s a look at how to do it.
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Consistent daily skincare: Exfoliate your skin at least every other day to prevent your pores from clogging up, which results in breakouts. Opt for a chemical exfoliant with no more than 5% alpha hydroxy acids and moisturize with retinol to stimulate collagen production.
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Chemical peels: Get a chemical peel every six months to smooth fine lines, improve skin texture, reduce discoloration, and clear up blemishes. If you can’t afford this in-office treatment, here’s a look at how to do it at home.
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Moderation: Your skin can only absorb so much, so make sure to apply a thin layer of skincare products otherwise your creams will just sit on top of your skin.
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Avoid certain foods: Dairy is a common acne trigger, as are carbonated sodas, so if you have a sensitivity, try to eliminate them from your diet.
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Drink plenty of water: Skin is an organ and like all organs it’s made up of cells, which in turn are made up of water. Without water your skin will be unable to function properly; the lack of hydration will result in dry, flaky, dull skin, that’s less resilient and more prone to fine lines and wrinkles.
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Rosehip Oil: Models are often quoted as swearing by rosehip oil as it helps them maintain a bright complexion. Add a few drops to your face cream before going to bed.
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Pick the right cleanser: Look for sulfate-free, low-foaming cleansers so that you won’t dry out your skin. Never use a bar of soap to wash your face as the binders that hold a bar of soap together are in an alkaline base, which strip skin of water and natural oils.
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Change with seasons: When the weather changes, so should your skincare regimen. When it’s warmer, use lightweight moisturizers; colder, drier weather requires heavier hydration production.
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Use an alcohol-free toner: Moist skin is 10 times more permeable than dry skin, so dampen your skin with a toner and immediately follow with your anti-aging serum/moisturizer so the active ingredients will more readily penetrate your skin.
- Never go to bed without taking off your makeup: Skin repairs itself most effectively at night so it’s imperative that you wash, tone and cleanse your skin before going to bed.
