We all dream of flawless, glowing skin, but with new products constantly hitting the market and seemingly endless skin care tips on the internet, it’s not always easy to find the right skincare routine for you. You know the basics – drink plenty of water, get enough sleep and wash your face – but what about everything in between? Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on magical procedures or expensive creams to get flawless skin.
We spoke with dermatologists and beauty experts to compile a list of the best skincare tips. From choosing the right cleanser for your skin type to the importance of cleaning your makeup brushes, these simple tricks plus some top-tested products from the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab will help you get glowing skin as quickly as possible.
1- Use the right cleanser for your skin type
For oily or acne-prone skin, a salicylic gel or a wash with benzoyl peroxide works great,” says Ava Shamban, MD, a dermatologist in Santa Monica. “For dry, mature skin, use either a moisturizing glycolic or a milky cleanser. For skin with brown spots or melasma, use a brightening cleanser, such as an alpha hydroxy acid cleanser.
2- Do not use too many products
Applying multiple skincare products at once is an absolute no-no, says Dr. Julia Tzu, a New York dermatologist. This can put a lot of stress on the skin and lead to more breakouts and clogged pores.
3- Moisturize day and night
“It’s best to moisturize your skin right after you shower and before you go to bed,” says Janet Prystowsky M.D., a New York-based dermatologist. Avoid lotions with strong fragrances, and be sure to find a moisturizer that’s gentle enough for daily use and won’t cause irritation.
4- Do not touch your face
Dr. Tzu says it’s very important to avoid touching your face. This not only spreads bacteria and causes breakouts – but it can also lead to scarring, wrinkling, and even flu or other viruses.
5- Hydrate internally and externally
All the skin experts we spoke with stressed the importance of hydration. “A lack of water means less radiance and more wrinkles,” says Dr. Mona Gohara, a dermatologist in Connecticut. She recommends choosing products (cleansers, moisturizers, and anti-aging products) that contain hydrating formulas. And, of course, drink about eight glasses of water every day.
6- Avoid direct exposure to heat.
Don’t just watch out for the sun – proximity to heaters and fireplaces can also harm your skin. “It causes inflammation and collagen breakdown. I recommend staying at least 10 feet away,” says Debbie Palmer, M.D., a New York dermatologist. So the next time you’re roasting chestnuts or s’mores over an open fire, take a step back.
7- Exfoliate a few times a week
“We lose 50 million skin cells every day, and without a little extra push, they can sit around and make the skin look grumpy,” Dr. Gohara says. To combat this, “choose a product that’s pH neutral so it doesn’t dry out when you exfoliate.” And don’t just stop at your face – your body’s skin needs exfoliation, too.
8- Vitamins should also be applied to the skin.
A balanced diet is important, but there is more than one way to provide vitamins to your skin. There are also topical antioxidants, which are serums and creams that contain ingredients that nourish the skin (like vitamin C serum!).
“They can really help protect the skin from sun damage,” Dr. Palmer says. Not sure how to apply them? It’s best to apply them right after cleansing so your skin can absorb them, or you can layer them under your sunscreen for extra protection.
9- Get your greens.
Although it’s tempting to grab a coffee as soon as you wake up, Joanna Vargas, a skincare professional in New York, says choosing the right drink can make all the difference. “Drink a shot of chlorophyll every morning to brighten, oxygenate and hydrate your skin. Chlorophyll also helps eliminate puffiness by stimulating the lymphatic system, so it’s also good for cellulite.”
If you don’t feel like drinking a shot of chlorophyll, you can buy chlorophyll supplements at many drugstores and health food stores. She also advises drinking green juices with lots of vegetables: “It will change your skin within a few days – and it helps oxygenate the skin and stimulates lymphatic drainage, so it’s also detoxifying.”
10- Maintain a healthy diet.
“Your skin has a natural barrier to retain moisture, and essential to that is an omega-3 fatty acid,” Joanna advises. “Flax seeds on your salad or even walnuts will be an instant boost to your omega-3, thus increasing your skin’s ability to hold onto moisture.” And be sure to eat a diet low in foods with a high glycemic index (simple and complex carbohydrates).
To fight infection and clogged pores, Dr. Prystowsky recommends washing concealer and foundation brushes once a week. For brushes you use around your eyes, she recommends twice per month, and for any other brushes, once a month is fine.
Here’s how: Put a drop of mild shampoo into the palm of your hand. Wet the bristles with lukewarm water. Then, massage the bristles into your palm to distribute the shampoo into the brush. Avoid getting the metal part of the brush wet/or the base of the brush hairs because the glue could soften and the bristles could fall out. Rinse the shampoo out and squeeze out the water with a towel. Lay the brushes on their side with the bristles hanging off the edge of the counter to dry.
12- Wear sunscreen 365 days a year – rain or shine, indoors or out.
“Many people think they only need to protect themselves on sunny days or when visiting the beach,” Dr. Palmer says. “But the truth is that we also need to protect our skin when we’re driving, flying on an airplane, or running errands. It’s daily UV exposure that contributes to the visible signs of aging.” What type of sunscreen is best? Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher – and remember to reapply every two hours.
13- Sun protection doesn’t stop at sunscreen
We’re talking SPF makeup, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats. “Preventing sun damage is a million times better for your skin than treating it after the fact,” says Dr. Prystowsky.
14- Simplify your skincare routine
“Fad products and fancy ingredients are fun, and sometimes they work well,” says Dr. Prystowsky, “but they’re usually gone from the shelves as quickly as they appeared.” Find a cleanser and moisturizer that you know works for you and keep them as a core part of your routine.
15- Schlafen Sie schlauer
It’s not just about sleeping eight hours a night. Skin also benefits from the regular use of clean silk pillowcases. “The material glides easily and prevents wrinkles,” says Jesleen Ahluwalia, M.D., a dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. “Silk is also gentler on hair – it helps prevent tangles and hair breakage. Better hair and skin while you sleep? Yes, please.
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