11 DERMATOLOGISTS SHARE THE ONE BEST TIP FOR KEEPING THE SKIN IN THE BEST CONDITION
How to keep your skin healthy. Advice from doctors and beauticians
1. Use any forced waiting time for skin treatment.
“I always keep extra beauty products in my car in a small bag. When I get stuck in traffic, which happens every day in our city, I can apply serum to my face or make an eye mask, insert teeth whitening strips, apply eyebrow gel and much more!” - Francesca Fusco, dermatologist, New York.
2. Practice facial massage to fight wrinkles.
“Many people (myself included) love to frown, which leads to forehead wrinkles and crow's feet around the eyes. To relax my face, I do facial acupressure for a few minutes before bed. Press just above your inner brows, temples, and next to them your nostrils, and hold for 10 seconds at each point.” - Jessica Wu, dermatologist, Los Angeles, and author of "Feed Your Face".
3. Moisturize the skin from the outside and from the inside.
“Despite what you hear all the time - “drink plenty of water daily”, this still does not lead to proper hydration of the skin. It's vital to hydrate your skin from the outside in, too, with serums, creams, and moisturizing sprays." - Dandy Engelman, Dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery.
4. Avoid hot showers, which can dry out your skin.
"I never wet my face with hot water, it's too harsh on the skin of the face, only cool water in the sink." - Elizabeth Tanzi, clinical professor of dermatology at the George Washington Medical Center.
5. Apply sunscreen to your neck, chest and arms first.
“Apply sunscreen to your neck, chest, and arms before applying to your face—these areas, when exposed to the sun, age faster and are harder to fix than the face. We often forget to apply sunscreen in these areas when we wear revealing clothes. And they are exposed to ultraviolet radiation as much as the face. - Doris Day, dermatologist, New York.
6. Use hydrocortisone to fight swelling when you need a quick effect.
“The night before any big event, I often exfoliate my skin and use hydrocortisone cream instead of moisturizer and eye cream. It is an anti-inflammatory agent that takes care of any swelling, removes bags under the eyes, puffiness and redness. Just don't abuse it like anything else that is used in extreme situations, it all has its side effects." - Elena Eretsky, Anti-Aging Specialist, Certified Aesthetic Medicine, New York.
7. Keep a light cleansing lotion within reach if you need to quickly refresh your face.
“You should always have a “mini spa treatment” with you in case you have a surprise date, or, unexpectedly, your Boss invites the entire department to a restaurant)) to celebrate some event. For example, glycol or salicylic wipes, light moisturizer and lipstick.” - Ava Shamban, dermatologist, Los Angeles and author of Healing Your Skin.
8. Never rub your eyes.
“If you rub your eyes the way you clean a frying pan, your eyes will look as black as a frying pan! When you remove your eye make-up, gently wipe off the mascara, as if you were wiping a baby's nose. - Jeanine Dani, dermatologist, New Jersey.
9. Let your lips help with skin care.
“There is one sensor that tells you exactly when your skin needs serious hydration: when you feel dry mouth, know that the moisture in the body is low, and it's time for a big hydration both inside and out.” - Helen Marmur, dermatologist, New York.
10. Never fly without sunscreen.
“I use sunscreen on all daytime flights, as UV radiation at 10,000 meters is much stronger and passes through aircraft windows. I also try to sit by the aisle." - Amy Weschler, board certified dermatologist and psychiatrist, New York.
11. Check the menu for fatty acids.
“Your diet has a huge impact on your skin. Avoid foods high in starches and refined carbohydrates such as white bread and rice, and instead opt for foods high in omega-3s and fatty acids such as avocado and salmon to keep your skin looking youthful.” - Whitney Bow, dermatologist, New York.