Healthy Skin

1. Thirst is not the first sign of dehydration, but it is a good way of knowing youre not getting enough to drink. .....

Dont over wash your face

2. Point blank, once a day should be good enough. .....

Exercise

3. Sweating helps your skin, and the strength you feel internally will start to show on your face. Make sure to wash after you exercise, even if it means wiping your face with a warm water in a wash cloth without any cleanser. .....

Stop using concealer

4. When you wash all that make-up off your face, youre also washing away all of your skins defenses from bacteria that can clog your pores. .....

Sun flower oil

5. Look for sunflower seed oil in lotions for your body. .....

Keep your pillowcase clean and put your hair back at night

6. Your hair and pillow case can spread grease to your face. Wash your pillow case every 9 days and keep your hair clean. .....

Stress less or workout more

7. Your body has natural defenses against stress, and you need to flush it out of your body as if it were a toxin or it will become physically visible. .....

Finally cut back on acidic fruits like oranges

8. Apples have just as much Vitamin C, without all the side effects oranges can bring. Acids from certain fruits have also been found to weaken your bones and muscles. Not to say oranges are bad for you, but as said before, too much of anything is never a good idea. .....

Decrease your sugar intake

9. Not to say cut sugar out of your diet, but try to cut back on false sugars, like in soda and in candy. Contrary to popular belief, chocolate isnt bad for you, its all the added sugars that harm your skin. Natural sugars, like sugar cane sugar, aggravate the magnesium in your body, making it difficult for your body to keep itself healthy. From your skin all the way down to your blood cells, your body will thank you if you eat MORE fruit and less c .....

Dont smoke

10. Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin the fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking such as pursing your lips wh .....

Eat a healthy diet

11. A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isnt clear but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin. .....

Manage stress

12. Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin and a healthy state of mind take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect. s .....

Keep Skincare Simple

13. Overuse of products is the biggest mistake people make in their skincare regimens, says Jeanie Leddon, MD, PhD, a dermatologist in Boulder, Colo.Some patients come in with a grocery bag full of products and wonder why their skin doesn t look or feel great, Leddon says.Using a lot of different ingredients can be irritating, and some ingredients cancel out each others benefits.For example, the acid in salicylic or glycolic acid breaks down ingredie .....

Give Products Time to Work

14. Changing your products every couple of weeks can also be counterproductive.Give them a chance, Leddon says. Finish the entire tube or bottle of a skincare potion before you decide how well it works.You might, though, want to adjust your beauty regimen seasonally, swapping, say, the oil-free moisturizer you use in the summer for one that s more emollient during the winter when frigid temperatures and indoor heating can rob your skin of moisture.Th .....

Beat acne bumps

15. Hormone-related skin problems aren t just for teens. Surging progesterone and testosterone levels before your period can cause adult acne to erupt around the mouth, chin, and nose. And hormonal stress can exacerbate eczema dry, irritated skin, often on the face and hands. To treat adult acne, which tends to flare up in the 30s and is more inflammatory than teen blackheads and whiteheads, derms often prescribe benzoyl peroxide and retinol or Retin .....

Baby your skin

16. Ready to start a family? Your skin may be clearer than ever while you re pregnant, thanks to abundant estrogen. But the hormonal flux of pregnancy can create a host of skin issues, such as melasma (dark discolored splotches on the face), which should fade after delivery. If it bothers you, your doc may prescribe a cream with lightening agents to fade the spots. Also common: an itchy rash called PUPPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pr .....

Check yourself

17. In middle age, damage done to your skin decades earlier starts to show up. This can include the first signs of skin cancer. The good news: when caught early, it s 99 percent treatable. So monthly self-checks for moles or anything suspect are smart. In front of a mirror, examine your entire body, from your scalp (use a handheld mirror) to the soles of your feet, advises Jennifer Linder, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the U .....

Pick the right products

18. Consider a prescription for a retinoid like tretinoin to minimize signs of aging such as uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and age spots, says Bobby Buka, MD, a New York City dermatologist. Dr. Buka also suggests skin-care products with botanicals such as feverfew or licorice root: They have antioxidant activity to combat UV damage. .....

Erase redness

19. If you re plagued by redness, spider-like blood vessels, and small bumps on your face, your derm may diagnose rosacea, a common skin condition often triggered by sun exposure, stress, alcohol, spicy foods, and hot weather. It s more likely to develop with age, says Laura E. Skellchock, MD, a dermatologist in Boca Raton, Florida. Experts recommend sensitive-skin products if you re prone to flare-ups, green-tinted makeup to camouflage redness, and .....

Banish problem spots

20. It s not uncommon for 40-something women to develop actinic keratosis dry, red, flaky spots, often on the forehead, cheeks, or nose, Dr. Goldenberg says. Another result of sun damage, they can become cancerous if not removed, so see your doc ASAP if you think you may have one. Two other common (and often similar-looking) problem spots: seborrheic keratosis (warty, yellow-brown growths, usually on the back and chest) and skin tags (often on the ey .....

Quench the thirst

21. As your estrogen level drops and oil production decreases, skin can get thinner, drier, and often itchier. Bathing too often, with water that s too hot, or with harsh or excess soap, can make things worse. Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), which becomes more common over age 50, can also cause overly dry, itchy skin, so see your doc to rule it out if you have other common symptoms such as fatigue, depression, unexplained weight gain, .....

Love your legs

22. Roughly half of all women over 50 have a few varicose or spider veins (enlarged blood vessels visible on the skin), usually on the legs. Gravity, aging, and genetics all play a role, but women who are on their feet a lot are at greater risk. Fixes include sclerotherapy (sealing off the veins) and laser treatments. Varicose or spider veins very rarely indicate a circulatory problem, but if one becomes swollen, warm, red, or tender, or if a rash or .....

Sip it or smooth it on

23. In a food processor or blender, combine 1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries (or a mix of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries they re all antioxidant stars). Stir together blended berries, 1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt, and 1 1/2 tablespoons honey (a great moisturizer) in an 8-ounce glass. Enjoy smoothie, setting aside enough to coat your face. Apply remaining smoothie to your face over a sink (it s a little drippy at first, but a smooth lay .....

Olive oil

24. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil don t just benefit you on the inside they soften your skin, too. Ancient Romans massaged olive oil into their skin, Dr. Perricone says. When used topically, olive oil results in smoother, more radiant skin. Plus, consuming olive oil, a staple in the healthy Mediterranean diet, provides antioxidants to disarm free radicals and reduce inflammation. In addition to working olive oil in .....

Eat it or wear it

25. At dinner, drizzle a few tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil into a small bowl, and dip whole-grain bread in it to improve your skin from the inside out. Dab a pea-size amount of extra-virgin olive oil on lips to hydrate a parched pucker; or use it on rough patches (think elbows and heels), as needed. .....

Green tea

26. Curling up to a cup of green tea does a lot more than relax you. Green tea is filled with inflammation-fighting antioxidants, Dr. Perricone says. What s more, research from Case Western Reserve University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham shows that drinking green tea may reduce your risk of skin cancer. And when you add a generous squeeze of citrus juice, the tea s antioxidants get a boost of staying power, so they remain in and benefi .....

Drink it or press it on

27. Sip at least three big mugs of green tea every day for an antioxidant boost, says Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, founding director of the Weight Management Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.Chill damp tea bags in the fridge and put on eyes for 10?15 minutes. Green tea contains tannins, which act as an astringent when applied to skin and can help reduce puffiness, Dr. Perricone notes. .....

Pumpkin

28. Pumpkin s orange hue is from carotenoids, wrinkle-fighting plant pigments that help neutralize free radicals in the skin, keeping them from damaging the cells that fast-forward aging. Pumpkin is filled with vitamins C, E, and A, as well as powerful enzymes that help to cleanse the skin, explains dermatologist Kenneth Beer, author of Palm Beach Perfect Skin. Plus, pumpkin has hydrating properties, Ionescu adds. Although the seeds make a great fi .....

Eat it or smooth it on

29. In a food processor or blender, combine 2 cups canned pumpkin, 4 tablespoons low-fat vanilla yogurt, 4 tablespoons honey, and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Coat face; leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse. It s good for hydrating and softening skin, Ionescu says. Make a sweeter pudding by adding these ingredients to the recipe above: 2 tablespoons 1/3-less-fat cream cheese and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. .....

Pomegranate

30. Pomegranates are one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits, Fernstrom says.Research shows this fruit s juice has more inflammation-fighting antioxidants than red wine or green tea. Eat some fresh pomegranate or use it in an age-fighting scrub.Apply once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells, suggests Cleo Londono, aesthetician and owner of Metamorphosis Day Spa, in New York City. .....

Eat it or scrub it on

31. Cut off pomegranate crown, and score rind in sections, without cutting all the way through. Place in a bowl of water for 5?10 minutes. Break rind away from seeds, which will sink; strain seeds. In a food processor, combine 2 tablespoons seeds and 1 cup uncooked oatmeal. Transfer to bowl; stir in 2 tablespoons honey (an antiseptic) and 2 tablespoons buttermilk. Apply to face for a few minutes, then rinse. For rough patches (like elbows), add 3/4 c .....

Ditch the toner

32. These were originally invented to restore the natural pH of skin after it had been washed with an alkaline-detergent soap. If you re using a pH-balanced cleanser, there s no need for toner, Graf says. It ll only dry your skin. .....

Make sure acid laced products are pH balanced

33. This means their pH is in sync with skin, so they gently remove sebum (an oily substance secreted by the skin) and makeup without stripping natural oils, Graf says. Look for the words pH-balanced on cleansers that contain glycolic or lactic acids and on exfoliators, she adds, because some have a low pH, which can cause dryness. .....

Opt for fragrance free

34. Fragrance is the most common cause of skin-care-related allergic reactions. If you re sensitive, be sure to choose products that are labeled fragrance-free. The ones that are marked unscented typically contain small amounts of fragrance to help mask the odors of active ingredients. .....

Choose multitasking moisturizers

35. A good day cream juggles two jobs hydration and protection. Pick one that has plant-based moisturizers (natural oils, butters, and essential fatty acids penetrate skin better than man-made emollients like petroleum, Graf explains) and antioxidants (those from natural sources may also contain bioflavonoids and other beneficial compounds not found in synthetic versions, Hammer says), plus nonirritating physical sunblocks, like zinc oxide and titani .....

Rub Away the Years

36. Massage is beneficial for more than just our backs. A facial massage helps stimulate fibroblasts (or cells) in the skin to release collagen and restore elasticity thats lost as we age. Many facials offer massage techniques as part of the treatment. .....

Hands First Face Second

37. Think your makeup brush gets dirty? Our hands are carrying around billions of bacteria at any given time -- that inevitably gets transferred onto our faces.Never put on makeup, use skincare products, or even touch your face until you have thoroughly washed your hands, Dr. Tabor says. Bacteria are the number one culprit in skin breakouts and, despite what people think, most of the germs that reach your face do not come from the air -- they come fr .....

Open Pores are Preferred

38. Closed pores means less absorption of product. For maximum benefit, preface your nighttime skincare regimen by opening your pores. The best way to do this is to take a wash cloth or hand towel, soak it in hot water, and then let it rest on your face for a few moments, Dr. Tabor says. Then, apply your nighttime serums and moisturizers. .....

Your Face is Shrinking

39. As we age, we lose bone mass, including the bones in our face. Thats right, medical studies show that your face really does shrink as you age! Dr. Tabor suggests taking calcium supplements to support facial structure. The more you can delay osteoporosis by taking calcium, the better, he says. This is the best way to prevent the appearance of skin hanging off the face. .....

The Most Important Skincare Products Youre Not Using

40. Vitamins do a body good -- in more ways than one. One of the most important skincare products every woman should have is a high-quality vitamin. After all, your skin reflects how well you are nourished. As you age, make sure your vitamin regimen includes antioxidants and omega-3 oils, Dr. Tabor says. .....

Not Just an Old Wives Tale

41. Putting cucumbers on eyes may sound like an old wives tale, but its medically proven to work. Cold cucumbers on puffy eyes really do soothe and reduce swelling. In fact, many high-priced eye products contain extracts that are chemically related to cucumbers, Dr. Tabor says. So head to that fridge and start slicing! .....

Get enough quality sleep

42. Sleep is essential for healthy skin. Not enough quality sleep will make your skin look tired and older, especially with bags under your eyes. Poor quality sleep can become a vicious cycle because lack of sleep makes you irritable, anxious and depressed, and that makes it harder to get good sleep. Make sure you have plenty of physical exercise as this reduces stress and creates a healthy tiredness that helps sleep. Yoga and swimming are also good .....