Good genes are just one of the many factors that determine how good your skin will look as you age. Top experts in the field of skin care share their knowledge on the most important things you can do for a beautiful complexion.
Practice good nutrition and hydration:
"Eating too much sugar (in the form of candy or soda) and even foods with a high glycemic index (like white bread, pasta and potatoes ) cause wrinkles," says Renée Rouleau, top esthetician, founder of Renée Rouleau Skin Care and owner of the Renée Rouleau skin spas located in Dallas, TX and Plano, TX. "It triggers a natural process called glycation, which damages elastin and collagen -- two substances your skin needs to stay supple and elastic." Fill your shopping cart with fresh fruit, plenty of vegetables and healthy proteins to have your skin behave like younger skin.
Dr Naila Malik, Cosmetic Dermatologist and founder of Naila Malik, MD Skin System based in Southlake, TX also recommends you "drink lots of water to hydrate from the inside out and incorporate the intake of "good fats" found in flaxseed oil, walnuts and olive oil into your diet to to moderate and retain water in the skin."
Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night:
Enough shut-eye allows your skin to repair and renew itself. By getting your fill you'll reduce stress, dark circles and puffy eyes. Not able to get it consistently? Make up for lost sleep with an occasional nap.
Stick with a a skincare regimen:
Andrew Jacono, MD, F.A.C.S, a Dual Board Certified Facial and Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon based in New York, NY and Long Island, NY says "protect your skin with SPF of at least 25 each and every day all year long." Research shows that the main cause of wrinkles and a dull, aged complexion is exposure to the sun. Surprisingly, the majority of this sun exposure comes from incidental exposure such as through the windshield when you're driving, going for a walk or run and even sitting inside your home near a window! Though the burning (UVB) rays peak in the warmer months the aging (UVA) rays are consistently strong year-round, so slather up daily and reapply throughout the day.
In addition to sunscreen, Dr. Jacono suggests "vitamin-A enriched products that contain retinol or retinaldehyde to increase cell turnover, weekly exfoliating with the use of an at-home microdermabrasion kit to improve the texture and color of your skin and nightly use of anti-aging creams with antioxidants to even skin tone, increase firmness, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and brighten the skin.
See your doctor:
Dr. Jacono likes Fraxel® Laser to reverse the signs of aging. "It treats age spots, brown spots and wrinkes around the eyes by creating microscopic wounds that trigger collagen production." He also recommends LimeLight Facial™ for hyper-pigmentation and red areas on the skin, both signs of damaged skin.
Products to try:
- Renée Rouleau Daily Protection SPF 30, formulated with micronized Zinc oxide, is lightweight, sheer and matte so it's perfect for under makeup. $32.50 at reneerouleau.com.
- skin 2 skin Organic Anti-Photoaging SPF 30 is fragrance free and lightly tinted for a bit of coverage. $68 at skin2skincare.com.
- Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology Intensive 3-In-1 Day Cream SPF 30 uses anti-glycation technology to fortify collagen and elastin so skin stays firmer and smoother. $42.50 at bathandbodyworks.com.
- CosMedix Affirm Antioxidant Firming Serum is chock full of antioxidants to correct and prevent photodamage. $78 at cosmedix.com.
- Therapy Systems Cellular Repair accelerates new cell production and collagen growth and reduces the visible signs of aging. $85 at therapysystems.com.
- Zia Natural Microdermabrasion System will resurface, soothe and nourish your skin. $79.95 at zianatural.com.
Eat a healthy, nutritious diet, drink plenty of fluids, get a good night's sleep, use the right products and visit an anti-aging professional occasionally and the payoff will be glowing, radiant, younger-looking skin.
Nancy Weinberg Simon - Nancy Weinberg Simon is a freelance writer, editor and stylist. From 1997 to 2007 she was the beauty editor at Family Circle magazine. Her ...
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