Beauty Around The CLock

[LuCkY]

You're a busy woman. With everything going on in your life, we're willing to bet that your skin was the last thing on your mind this afternoon or yesterday evening. However, it's important to remember that taking care of your complexion is more complex than just washing your face twice a day. Daily habits that you don't think twice about have a huge impact on your appearance. "Your stress levels, exercise habits and diet all play a part in how your skin looks and feels, now and in the years to come," says Dr. Patricia Wexler, M.D., an A-list dermatologist in Manhattan.

 

Luckily, the road to radiance can be easy and pain-free -- all you need to do is fit a few daily do's into your schedule. Here's how you can help your skin look its best, hour by hour:

 

8 AM: Rise and de-shine! Beauty rest? Forget about it. According to Dr. Soren White, M.D., chief dermatologist at Skinklinic, New York's Premier Physician-run skin spa, the greatest danger to our skin isn't dirt or pollutants, it's the oil and dead skin cells that build up on our face overnight. That doesn't mean that you should scour, scald or squeeze before you put on your makeup, however. Pass on toners and scrubs, which can strip and irritate your face; instead, sweep a cotton ball soaked with a glycolic acid product over your skin. This sugarcane-derived natural exfoliator promotes cell turnover, helping any cleansers and moisturizers you use to better penetrate your skin.

After you've finished this morning ritual, follow up with an SPF moisturizer -- scientists now speculate that as much as 95% of premature aging is due to sun damage -- along with a light foundation or foundation-powder, advises Dr. Wexler. These create a protective shield, safeguarding your skin from sun and dirt. If you're applying makeup, remember to keep your brushes clean by lightly washing them every few weeks with your regular shampoo.

 

9 AM: Drink up. Pour yourself a big glass of water, the first of at least eight today. Water keeps skin cells plump and healthy from within; it also distributes nutrients and helps eliminate waste. Try washing down a multivitamin with your H2O--nutritional deficiencies can make your complexion dull and sallow.

 

12 PM: Stop stressing! Anxiety can worsen any breakouts or skin conditions that you have, says Dr. White. Fortunately, while you can't sweep all stress out of your life, you can do a lot to minimize it by making time for yourself. Learning a few quick yoga or relaxation techniques will do wonders to free your mind and soothe your skin.

 

12:30 PM: Hit the gym. A good workout stimulates circulation, a surefire way to keep your skin nourished and rosy, says Dr. White. Crunched for time? Even a quick walk around the block can get blood moving fast enough to make you look great.

 

3 PM: Bring out the balm. Preventing dryness is an all-day job. Just as you should keep your water bottle full from morning to night, it's a good idea to have a light moisturizer or water mist on hand so you can continue to topically hydrate, especially if you spend a lot of time indoors, notes Dr. White.

 

5 PM: Let 'em see you sweat! Think perspiration is a definite skin buster? Think again! Research shows that around 30% of toxins in the body are eliminated through the skin. A good sweat promotes this cleansing process, keeping your skin healthy and your complexion clear. So whether you take a break in your gym's sauna or make a particularly nerve-wrecking phone call -- go ahead and take the heat!

 

7 PM: Touch up your t-zone. If end-of-day shine is a problem for you, Dr. White suggests dabbing an alcohol-based product, like Clinique's Clarifying Lotion #2, on your t-zone. If you're headed out for the evening, touch up with a little tinted moisturizer. You'll give your skin a lift and your color a boost.

 

9:30 PM: Practice moderation! Many women let down their guard and indulge in their favorite vices at night. But before you drink up, light up, or indulge in one more sugary treat, keep in mind that these lifestyle don'ts are sabotaging the benefits of your skin dos. Alcohol dehydrates the skin and promotes flushing, which can lead to burst capillaries and, consequently, a ruddy, uneven complexion. Smoking constricts your small blood vessels, and this prevents water and nutrients from getting to your skin. Sweets, meanwhile, are empty calories that contain none of the skin-nourishing vitamins and minerals that fruits and vegetables do.

 

11 PM: Take it off! Washing off the day's grime and removing your makeup feels great and minimizes the oil buildup that leads to blemishes. But remember, your nighttime routine should be as pared-down as your AM one. Use a gentle cleanser, and follow up with a skin-specific therapeutic product -- a mild glycolic acid for very young skin or a stronger retinol if you're in your mid-thirties to forties. Top off with a moisturizer, and let your cells go about renewing themselves all night long!

 

 

P.S. Mods can you pLz move this topic from the gen sec to the womens.Thnz!!!

[Nomen nescio]

i um...how did i get here again? :confused:

[LuCkY]

^^^^^i dont know...you teLL me!

 

I can see you are Lost...shouLd i direct you to the LiL boys room?(j/k).

[Jamilah]

Asalamu Calykum,

 

Thanks for the tips Lucky, but i think it is too much of a hassle for me.

[Xafsa]

Lucky thanks hon for the info...I needed those tips for sure.

 

 

where exactly can I get a glycolic acid product?

 

1luv