Yahoo Lifestyle DYA Skincare: Learn The Basics
3 Ways to… Improve Your Skin Tone
1. CLEANSE EVERY NIGHT
A recent study found that 50% of women don’t wash their faces at night, which can make skin look older. Your skin regenerates when you sleep, so cleanse thoroughly with a product like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($9.50 for 250 ml; 1800 800 765) to prevent blocked pores and breakouts. In the morning, just refresh your skin by splashing it with lukewarm water.
2. BE GENTLE
Avoid harsh scrubs and rough towel-drying—and don’t squeeze ingrown hairs or clogged pores. “Touching your face stimulates oil production and spreads bacteria to other areas of your face,” says Sydney-based skin therapist Jocelyn Petroni.
3 SAY YES TO DAILY SPF
You’ve heard it a million times, but wearing sunscreen (and a hat when you’re in the sun for long periods) is the best way to prevent many of the signs of ageing. There’s another reason to apply SPF 30+ daily: UV damage doesn’t come just from the sun. “Many people don’t realise that fluorescent lights emit a small amount of radiation,” says dermatologist and Prevention adviser Dr Stephen Shumack. You’ll really get great benefits from wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays, regardless of the weather.
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3 Ways to… Smooth Out Wrinkles
1 SLIP ON SHADES
“Sunglasses safeguard the eyes from UV light and provide some protection to the eyelid skin, reducing ageing, pigmentation and skin cancers,” says Shumack. Also, get your eyes checked to see whether you need glasses or a new prescription—squinting as you try to focus can deepen lines.
2 MAINTAIN YOUR WEIGHT
If the choice is between constantly dieting and settling for a few extra kilos within your healthy weight range, take the kilos. Weight loss can lead to fat loss from your face, leaving you looking gaunt.
3 STOCK UP ON SUNSCREEN
It’s easy to make a connection between sunlight and sunspots, but rays can also weaken skin’s supportive structure, making it more wrinkled and crepey, and causing roughness. Why break the bank trying to firm up your complexion later when you can spend a little on SPF now? Every sunscreen sold in Australia undergoes proper testing to ensure its effectiveness, so choose any formula that feels good to you, but do go for SPF 30+, says Shumack.
3 Ways to…Firm Up Your Skin
1 LIFT WEIGHTS AND DIG IN
Aerobic exercise is good, but if saggy skin is the issue, strength-training is better. “Muscle gives your skin a tauter appearance,” says Shumack. And if you’re hungry after your workout, eat! “After a certain age, a little extra weight can make wrinkles on your face and body look less obvious,” he adds.
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2 COOL OFF
“Dry skin is thin and ages faster than oily skin,” says Petroni. Moisturising helps, but there’s an even easier trick: take shorter, cooler baths and showers; hot water dehydrates skin.
3 DO MORE NAKED
Smooth on lotion or sunscreen after you dress, and you may miss a few spots. Instead, apply products to damp skin as soon as you step out of the shower so you make sure to cover your neck, chest and hands. Petroni recommends using products that contain age-defying antioxidants, such as Priori Idebenone Age Defying Body Cream ($220; 1800 808 993) or Super by Dr Nicholas Perricone Body Toning Serum ($54.95; 1800 705 800).
