Not everyone is blessed with glowing, flawless skin naturally. Flawless skin doesn’t happen overnight, it takes a little TLC. Everyone knows at least one woman with seemingly perfect skin. Every time you see her glowing face, you think, ‘Seriously, how does she do it?’ ‘What kind of magical procedures is she getting?’ ‘Which expensive creams is she using?’ Here goes the easy secrets of that beautiful lady with a fine skin!
We have compiled a list of simple routines you could borrow to help brighten and add lasting glow to your skin.
13 Flawless Skin Secrets
1. Use The Correct Cleanser For Your Skin Type
“For oily or acne prone skin, a salicylic gel or benzoyl peroxide wash works great,” says Dr. Ava Shamban, a dermatologist in Santa Monica. “For dry mature skin, use either a moisturizing glycolic or milky cleanser. For skin with brown spots or melasma, use a brightening wash, such as an alpha hydroxy acid cleanser.”
2. Moisturize Day And Night
“The best times to moisturize are right after you get out of the shower and right before you go to bed,” explained Dr. Janet Prystowsky MD, an NYC-based dermatologist. Avoid lotions with heavy fragrances and make sure you find a moisturizer gentle enough for everyday use with zero irritation.
3. Your Fingers Should Never Touch You Face
Dr. Julia Tzu, an NYC-based dermatologist, says this is very important. It doesn’t just spread bacteria and cause breakouts—it can lead to scarring, an increase in wrinkles, and even the flu.
4. Do Not Use Too Many Products
Using more than one or two all at once is a big no-no, says Dr. Tzu. It can be harsh on the skin, resulting in more breakouts and clogged pores.
5. Maintain Healthy Balance Diet
I guess this is the part best related to the saying, “You are what you eat.” According to Joanna Vargas, “your skin has a natural barrier to retain moisture, and essential to that is omega-3 fatty acid. 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).
6. Wear Sunscreen 365 Days A Year—Rain Or Shine
“Many people feel they only need to protect themselves on sunny days or when visiting the beach,” says Dr. Debbie Palmer, a New York dermatologist. “But the truth is that we need to protect our skin even when we’re driving a car, flying in an aeroplane, or running errands. It’s the daily UV exposure that contributes to the visible signs of ageing.” What kind of sunscreen is best? Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater—and remember that it needs to be re-applied every 2 hours.
7. Drink The Right Liquids
Though it’s tempting to grab a coffee the minute you wake up, Joanna Vargas, a skincare facialist in NYC, says choosing the right beverages can be a game changer. “Drink a shot of chlorophyll every morning to brighten, oxygenate, and hydrate your skin. Drinking chlorophyll also helps drain puffiness by stimulating the lymphatic system, so it’s also good for cellulite.”
If you’re not keen on downing a shot of the stuff, chlorophyll supplements can be found at many drugstores and health food stores. She also advised drinking green juices with lots of veggies in them: “It will transform your skin in a matter of days—and it helps oxygenate the skin and stimulates lymphatic drainage, so it’s de-puffing, too.”
8. Checkout Your Vitamins
A balanced diet is important, but there’s more than one way to give your skin vitamins. There are also topical antioxidants, which are serums and creams that contain ingredients that nourish the skin. “These can really help to repair the skin from sun damage and they also have natural sunscreen properties,” says Dr. Palmer. Not sure how to use them? The best time to apply them is right after cleansing, or they can be layered under your sunscreen for added protection.
9. Exfoliate A Couple Times Per Week
“We lose 50 million skin cells a day, and without a little extra nudge, they may hang around leaving the skin looking sullen,” says Dr. Gohara. To fight this, you should “choose a product that is pH neutral so it doesn’t dry as it exfoliates.” And don’t just stop with your face—the skin on your body needs exfoliation, too.
10. Clean Your Makeup Brushes Regularly
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 a 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.
11. Get Good Sleep Daily
It’s not just about getting eight hours a night. Skin will also benefit from regularly using clean silk pillowcases. “The material glides easily and prevents creasing and wrinkles,” says Jesleen Ahluwalia, MD, a dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. “Silk is also easier on hair—it helps avoid tangles and breakage.” Better hair and skin while you sleep? Yes, please.
Having a soft, supple, clear and gorgeous skin is so easy, only if you actually care to maintain one. A beautiful skin is part of what defines a woman’s beauty and makes her stands out in the crowd.
12. Drink Enough Water—In Every Way Possible
Every skin expert we spoke to emphasized the importance of hydration. “A lack of water means less radiance and more sag,” says Dr. Mona Gohara, a dermatologist in Connecticut. She suggests choosing products (cleansing, moisturizing, and anti-ageing) that have hydrating formulas. And, of course, drink around eight glasses of water a day.
13. Avoid Direct Heat Exposure
Don’t just watch out for the sun—getting too close to heaters and fireplaces can also wreak havoc on your skin. “It causes inflammation and collagen breakdown. I recommend staying at least ten feet away,” explains Dr. Palmer. So next time you’re roasting chestnuts or s’mores over an open fire, take a step back.