These tips will reveal the clarity and radiance you were meant to have, and lock down the best beautifying habits.
These tips will reveal the clarity and radiance you were meant to have, and lock down the best beautifying habits.
1
Wash your face twice a day – but only twice. “It’s my goal to turn morning water splashers into cleanser users,” says Nandi Wagner, a lead aesthetician for the Bliss Soho spa in the US. “Your skin does its repair work at night, and the old cells rise to the surface. You need a gentle cleanser to loosen those cells and wash them away.”
2
Sweat, of course. If you’re reading this magazine, you know the importance of exercise for your health and well-being. The skin benefits are like a gift with purchase. “Getting your heart pumping increases the delivery of oxygen and other crucial nutrients to the skin cells, helping them function at peak efficiency,” says Dr David Bank, a dermatologist in the US and a member of the Shape US advisory board.
3
Give your face a workout, too. “Why not do tone-ups for the 57 muscles of your face?” says Dr Michelle Yagoda, a facial plastic surgeon in the US. “Facial exercise takes commitment, but only a few minutes a day.”
4
Shield your shoulders. When you go out for a run, shoulders get direct sun exposure. “Switch from a tank top to a T-shirt when you exercise outside,” says Sonya Dakar, the owner of the eponymous skin clinic in the US. “That little bit of extra material will go a long way towards protecting your skin.” Look for techie, polyester fabrics and workout tees labelled “UPF50+” (UPF is like the SPF rating, but for clothing.)
5
Wear sunscreen all the time. Not one expert we spoke to neglected to make this recommendation – and yet a new study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that only 43 per cent of women regularly apply sunscreen to their face. Forgive us while we get up on this soapbox, but sunscreen is the number one way to prevent wrinkles, brown spots, broken capillaries, sagging and skin cancer. Choose a sunscreen or moisturiser with SPF30 or higher that feels great on your skin, so you’ll enjoy wearing it.
6
Schedule a skin check. And while we’re on the cheery subject of skin cancer, all forms of the disease, including melanomas, are nearly 100 per cent curable if caught early. Once a month, check your skin from head to toe looking for anything new or different. Once a year, see a dermatologist for a screening.
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And don’t forget your lips. Squamous cell carcinomas of the lip have a higher rate of metastasis than similar cancers on other sun-exposed body parts. Protect your mouth with sunscreen and an emollient ingredient like petroleum to prevent chapping.
8
Drink even more water. Almost half of survey respondents aren’t drinking even 120ml to 240ml of water a day, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US. “Double your water intake and, in around two months, you’ll see it reflected in your skin," Nandi says. Although water doesn’t work the way, say, a body butter does, it will keep your skin’s protective barrier intact, making topical moisturisers more effective.
9
Wear sunglasses every day… unless it’s raining. “They’ll protect your delicate undereye skin from the sun,” Sonya says. “Also, they stop you from squinting, so you stave off crow’s feet.”
10
Get your beauty sleep. “Stop bingeing on TV, put your phone away, and just go to bed,” Nandi says. “The more you sleep, the more time your skin has to repair.” Make eight hours a goal, but settle for no fewer than six.
11
Have a secret weapon. And for those times when you’re late to bed and early to rise, give your skin an extra boost to make up for the repair time it’s missing. Nandi’s “sleep in a bottle” is Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask ($103, Sephora), which invigorates skin with a blast of oxygen that makes cells work more efficiently.
12
Exfoliate weekly. “Regular exfoliation improves cell turnover and reveals fresh skin,” Dr Bank says, “but scouring your skin with a scratchy scrub isn’t going to make it smoother – just more irritated.” Try a scrub with rounded beads, or a chemical exfoliant such as glycolic acid.
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And sometimes really exfoliate. “My patients tell me they get so many compliments on their skin after a microdermabrasion treatment,” says Dr Amy Wechsler, a dermatologist in the US. The in-office sandblasting (with microcrystals or diamond-encrusted wands) goes deeper than a regular exfoliant, removing dark spots on the surface and stimulating deeper cell renewal. For a home version, try Philosophy's The Microdelivery Overnight Anti-aging Peel ($129).
14
Moisturise your whole body. “I’ve done it every day for as long as I can remember,” says Dr Wechsler. In addition to strengthening your skin’s barrier, which keeps bacteria and viruses out of our bodies, a daily lotion makes your skin feel super-soft. Apply it right after you shower to lock in moisture. Our pick: Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturiser Aloe Soothe ($13.90, leading supermarkets).
15
Sleep in a mask. We don’t mean the silky kind that Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. These are hydrating ones that you apply over your night cream to seal in all of your treatment products and take your results to the next level, Sonya says. We love Laneige Water Sleeping Mask ($42), which has an orange-flower, rose and sandalwood sleep-inducing scent.
16
Load up on antioxidants. Adding these freeradical fighters to your routine will help enhance your skin’s ability to combat UV rays, pollution and other environmental factors. To make sure your supply is adequate, it’s best to both apply and consume them. Look for products with topical antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E, and eat three antioxidant-laden foods each day, like tomatoes, berries and dark green veggies, says Dr Ranella Hirsch, a US-based dermatologist.
17
Eat your omegas. Choose foods with omega-3 fatty acids: “They strengthen the membrane of skin cells, improving barrier function and reducing environmental damage,” Dr Bank says. Salmon, tuna, olive oil, flaxseed oil and nuts are all good sources.
18
Stop the spots. “Environmental damage leading to hyperpigmentation can occur anywhere,” says Dr Howard Murad, a dermatologist and the founder of the skincare company Murad. “Even while driving in the car on a cloudy day or sitting in your office by the window.” Yikes! Hydroquinone (HQ) is the most effective home remedy, but dark-skinned women may find that it makes spots even more noticeable. A non-HQ option to try: Kate Somerville Lumiwhite Dark Spot Corrector ($88, Sephora) with arbutin and pomegranate extract. Our HQ pick: Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum ($129, www.murad.com.sg).
19
Baby your skin when it’s sensitive. “At some point, everyone experiences sensitive skin,” Dr Wechsler says. Either you’re born with it or you have it temporarily, she adds, due to an outside stressor such as sun exposure or the overuse of aggressive skincare products. For this reason, pick a fragrance-free moisturiser with soothing ingredients
20
Spread the love. “Whatever you’re already using on your face – anti-agers, sunscreen and so on – apply it to your chest, neck and hands, too,” Dr Hirsch says. “It’s very little effort for a big return.”
21
Go big with your eye cream. "Eye area skin is thinner, has fewer oil glands and shows puffiness more quickly than the rest of your face,” Sonya says. So eye creams are milder and more firming than regular facial moisturisers. “Apply eye cream to the area covered by Jackie-O-style sunglasses.”
22
Do this two-minute face massage. “Using your night-time moisturiser, massage along your face and neck along the length of the muscle, making circular motions, Dr Yagoda says. “You’ll increase blood circulation, counteract gravity and eliminate toxins.”
23
Have sex three times a week. “One study showed that older couples who have more frequent sex look approximately seven years younger than their agematched counterparts,” Dr Wechsler says. Research suggests that sex releases human growth hormone, a contributor to more elastic skin and endorphins, which helps you sleep better.
24
Find a time saver. We love a high-quality quickie. Slash seconds with an in-shower body lotion. Smooth it on while you’re still in the shower, then rinse it off (like a conditioner for your bod). Towel off and get dressed – the lotion has already sunk in by then. Try Nivea In-Shower Intensive Skin Conditioner ($7.90-10.90, leading supermarkets) with skin-softening sea minerals.
25
Book a laser treatment. Intimidated by the idea? Then try an entry-level laser, like Clear + Brilliant (starting at $350 per treatment at selected aesthetic clinics), which evens out skin tone and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and pores, while leaving the top layer of your skin intact. “You can do it and go right back to work,” says Dr Wechsler, who recommends three once-a-month treatments for long-term results.
26
Go pro… biotic. Another skin barrier builder? Probiotics, the good bacteria that protects you from the harmful kind. They can be taken orally, but topical application gets them straight to your skin.
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Use a retinoid. This was another must from all the derms we spoke to, and they all preferred the prescription-strength vitamin A derivative known as tretinoin. “There’s nothing stronger in the antiageing world,” Dr Wechsler says. The non-prescription version, known as retinol, isn’t quite as powerful, but it’s still the strongest anti-ager you can buy over the counter. Try Palmer’s Multi-effect Perfecting Facial Oil ($23.90, Watsons), which also comes with nine other pure botanical oils to nourish.
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Prevent moisture loss. “As we age, our skin starts to lose moisture,” says Naomi Whittel, a certified nutritional consultant and the founder of Reserveage Nutrition in the US. “Ceramides are the mortar that holds our cells together on the outer layer of our skin, creating that moisture barrier.” She recommends a ceramide supplement like Reserveage Nutrition Collagen Hydra Protect with Ceramides ($23.99, www.iherb.com).
29
Try a face oil. “The secret to an instant glow is face oil,” Sonya says. “It will nourish your skin and give it a healthy shine.” We’ve fallen for La Mer The Renewal Oil ($370, Tangs at Tang Plaza), which has a blend of sea kelp extracts and a mix of seeds and oils to hydrate skin intensely.
30
Ditch a bad habit. If you’re still smoking, just stop. Cigarettes constrict blood vessels, slowing your circulation, and depriving your skin of oxygen and nutrients. Frequently sleeping with makeup on is also strongly not recommended. And picking at pimples. We know we sound like your mum, but really, just stop it.
