30 Top Beauty Tricks for Your Best Skin Ever
30 Top Beauty Tricks for Your Best Skin Ever
From adult acne to dry skin to cellulite, we’ve got you covered with 30 tips for every ailment you can think of.
1. Lotion Up
Daily moisturizing is the best defense against dry skin. Applying lotion right after you step out of the shower seals in the moisture that your skin has just absorbed. And since hands are often the first indicators of aging, invest in a heavy moisturizer to keep in your bag, car, and office.
2. Green Giants
“Greens like spinach and arugula are packed with naturally occurring antioxidants,” says Robyn Flipse, MS, RD. For a radiant and blemish-free complexion, add a side salad to your lunch or dinner.
3. Healing Honey
Jodi Ranson, an esthetician at Utah’s Golden Door Spa, recommends honey for taking care for dry, cracked lips. “It helps to heal wounds and hydrate parched skin, plus the anti-viral properties make it a good cold sore remedy, too.”
4. Wrinkle Eraser
“Topical retinoids have been shown to improve the skin’s texture and the appearance of fine lines,” says NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Ariel Ostad. “So, for women looking for potent anti-agers, retinol is the one must-have ingredient to help keep skin young.”
5. Sun Stopper
Stop stretch marks and scars from getting darker with sun exposure by slathering them with a thick layer of sunscreen. Apply a scar-minimizing topical at night to repair damaged tissue while you slumber.
6. Chatty Cathy
Yakking away on your cell phone for hours can lead to breakouts and rashes along your jaw line and cheek. Keep antibacterial wipes handy to swipe your phone clean and help your skin stay clear.
7. A Little Omega
“A Mediterranean diet full of fish, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, and tea provides the skin with the good omega fatty acids,” says Dr. Macrene Alexiades, director of an NYC-based research clinic and private laser and aesthetic dermatology practice. “This diet also has the antioxidants your skin needs to maintain a healthy glow and reverse sun damage.”
8. Product Prevention
We know you don’t apply hair products to your face, but the residue can end up there anyway. Next time you apply hairspray, cover your face with a clean towel to protect your skin. Also, use a sweatband when you hit the gym to keep the products from dripping down when you begin to sweat.
9. Sleep In
Not getting enough Zzz’s can cause stress, which leads to breakouts and a dull complexion. Bottom line: Don’t deprive your body and skin of sleep-it uses that time to regenerate and recover from your day-to-day activities.
10. Sun Shield
Squinting in the sun can contribute to those crow’s feet, so always sport sunglasses with UV protection. Those with light-colored eyes have heightened light sensitivity, but brown-eyed beauties should shade their peepers, too.
11. Say Ahhh..
“Whether it’s a facial, massage, or even a pedicure, be sure to pamper yourself,” says Dr. Howard Murad, founder of Murad Skincare. “Your health and appearance are positively influenced by increasing your emotional and mental well-being. A visit to the spa is a foolproof way to promote stress relief and relaxation.”
12. Eye Care
The skin around your eyes is the thinnest, so it shows the first signs of aging. Even if you’re in your 20s, preventative care now will keep your eyes looking healthy for years to come.
13. Scrub-a-Dub
“When you exfoliate, you’re evening out the skin’s surface by revealing fresh cells underneath,” says Annet King, director of Global Education at the International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica. “Exfoliate regularly to remove the dead, complexion-dulling skin cells that can give you a dull appearance.”
14. Milk Maid
Add a few cups of milk to your next bath to take advantage of its lactic acid, a natural skin-softener. Darrell McCurtain, a therapist at the Golden Door Spa, suggests throwing in a few teaspoons of honey for an anti-bacterial bonus.
15. Don’t Sweat It
When your body heats up, sweating helps it keep your core temperature down. Unfortunately, this can irritate skin and cause breakouts. To remedy, look for a body wash that lists salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide as an ingredient on the label.
16. Vitamin Boost
Avocados contain healthy fats and vitamins C and E to keep skin plump, bright, and hydrated. Keep a sliced one in your work fridge for a super-quick snack.
17. Superfoods
“Carrots and tomatoes are stocked with phytonutrients and antioxidants, both of which protect against damaging free radicals,” says Robyn Flipse, MS, RD. “The beta carotene and lycopene found in them also protect your skin from sun damage and repair skin cells.”
18. Flip Over
“Sleeping in certain positions may result in sleep lines,” according to The American Academy of Dermatology. After a while, these lines can turn into deep-set wrinkles, so hit the sheets backside-first.
19. Smoke Signals
There are thousands of reasons why smoking is bad for you, but did you know second-hand smoke can also be harmful to your skin? Though you may not be lighting up, being around smokers can cause skin sagging and speed up the wrinkle process.
20. Bust a Move
Need yet another reason to work out? Exercise gives your face a healthy glow by increasing blood flow. And when you sweat, it clears the body of toxins and removes dead skins cells so new ones can grow. Without regular exercise you may see an increase in age spots, so grab your running shoes and hit the gym.
21. Wax Off
“The hair in the bikini area tends to be coarse and thick, which is ideal for waxing,” says Katherine Goldman, owner of Stript Bar Wax in San Francisco. “Plus, since the hair is pulled out from the root, it grows back thinner over time.” As if you needed another reason to get a bikini wax…
22. Chill Out
Cucumber slices may be the international symbol for eye de-puffers, but anything that’s chilly will work to tone down darkness and bags. The coldness restricts blood vessels, which reduces swelling and puffiness. Limit your application of bag-erasers to about five minutes to get the best results.
23. Hands Off
We know it’s tempting to mess with that pimple, but resistance is key. Popping and picking at the skin on your face will push dirt and bacteria deeper into pores, which only results in more breakouts.
24. Tone up
“Toners are a handy product to keep in your arsenal to help balance pH levels in your skin,” says Jennifer Yen, founder of Purlisse Skincare. “Look for ones that are free of irritants like alcohol, fragrance, citrus, menthol, color, and other aggressive extracts.”
25. Hydrate
Your skin needs more water than you normally drink, so look for products with sodium hyaluronate, more commonly known as hyaluronic acid, to help bring it to a normal pH level.
26. Lotion in Moderation
Laying on the lotion is good for your skin, right? Not quite. “Over moisturizing can cause you to break out, and can even give you milia, the tiny white spots that are formed when dead skin cells get trapped,” says Dr. Debra Jailman, M.D., a New York City dermatologist. So, think twice before you slather.
27. Rest Up
“Skin cells are some of the most rapidly rejuvenating cells in the body. Take away adequate rest, and they suffer,” says Colorado-based dermatologist Dr. Meg Lemon. “The body depends on sleep for every single thing it does. When skin cells don’t turn over quickly enough, our skin looks dull and lifeless, and so do we.”
28. Ban Bumps
Do you have little red bumps on the backs of your arms? You’re most likely suffering from keratosis pilaris-a common condition that stems from blocked hair follicles. Abrasive scrubbing can exacerbate symptoms, so try using a lotion with alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids to dissolve the bumps.
29. Lemon Head
A brighter complexion is on everyone’s wishlist, but the trick to getting one is easier than you might think. “Rub a lemon on your face!” suggests C.O. Bigelow proprietor Ian Ginsberg.
30. Fishy Foods
“Foods like salmon, herring, and trout provide our skin with oils that lubricate cells and reduce inflammation,” says Lisa Drayer, MA, RD, nutritionist and author of The Beauty Diet: Looking Great Has Never Been So Delicious. “They are also heavy in omega-3 fatty acids, which play a key role in keeping our skin smooth.”
