Cleanse Your Skin Every Night
Every night, and I mean EVERY night, be sure to wash off all traces of makeup. If you don’t, your skin will get dehydrated which leads to a dull, cracked looking complexion. Not thoroughly cleansing allows all the dirt and pollution that’s settled on your face during the day to cause irreversible damage. Your skin needs to breathe. Not washing your face – even if you don’t wear makeup – allows bacteria to thrive creating clogged and enlarged pores, blackheads, and pimples. Leaving eye makeup on can result in premature aging, eye infections, and even weak eyelashes that get brittle and fall out. Just using your hands is not enough – a soft wash cloth is better, (use only once, then toss in laundry) but the best method is to use a skin cleansing tool designed for the job.
Try: Clarisonic Cleansing
Use Sunscreen Everyday
Sure, during fall and winter, less of our skin is exposed, so we’re not applying SPF products to our arms and legs. However, our face, neck and hands are generally not covered, so don’t neglect applying sunscreen on any bare areas. Even a quick walk to the subway, or your car, exposes your skin to damaging cancer causing and aging rays. I recently spoke with NYC Dermatologist Dr. Josh Zeichner who said “Sunscreen has been known to reverse signs of aging. In a recent year long study, doing nothing more than applying sunscreen everyday improved all aspects of aging skin, including wrinkles, pigmentation and texture. This is likely because protecting the skin allows it to heal itself. So make sunscreen a part of your daily regimen.” Sunscreen comes in a variety of textures, formulas and at all prices, so no excuses!
Try: Avene SPF50 Lotion
When and Why to Exfoliate
Exfoliating your skin is important because it takes off the top layer of dead skin cells which cause skin to look dull and your makeup to look flakey – even fine lines and wrinkles are more obvious. Also, that top layer of dead skin prevents your skin care products from getting through so they can do their job. Exfoliating cleaners are one option, and products that contain retinol or alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA’s) are another. If you use retinol or an AHA, use only at night, as they can make the skin even more sun sensitive.
Try: Truth Treatments Retinol Gel
Bedtime Ritual – Sleep on a Silk Pillowcase
Silk charmeuse (also known as silk satin) allows your face to easily slide across the pillow, unlike cotton or linen, which pulls on skin creating friction and over time creates wrinkles. The satin must be silk. Polyester or rayon satin will not be kind to your complexion. Bonus benefit: Silk pillowcases also allow your hair to glide across your pillow, so that your blow-out or styling last longer. No bed-head and less frizz.
Hydrate Inside and Outside
Drink lots of water and good-for-you liquids like green tea. Using a good moisturizer suited to your skin type is must. Be sure to use twice a day, morning and before bedtime to hydrate and protect skin, plump it up, soften, and treat any specific concerns. Hydrating masks are also easy and fun to use, and do your skin a ton of good.
Try: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
Antioxidants Feed Your Skin – Eat Blueberries
These delicious little blue bites are filled with vitamin A & C, and tons of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants fight the free radicals which damage skin cells and make skin look older. So eat up!
So there you have it. Eat up, drink up, cleanse, protect and use that sunscreen!
