We've all heard the old wives' tales, latest fads and must-follow rules about how to care for our complexion, but the truth is that there are really only a few ways to slow the effects of time on our face. Here are the six tips you need to maintain beautiful skin.
Don't Skip the Sunscreen
Just because you're only baking on the beach in your daydreams doesn't mean that your skin is safe from the sun. Even if your only exposure to the elements is on your way from the car to the office, UVA rays are able to travel through windows, walls and clothing, causing skin to look dull and damaged. Make sunscreen part of your daily moisturizing routine and don't skip no matter the weather or time of year.
Avoid the Sip Lines
While common wisdom advises tons of water for a happy complexion, the way you are drinking it can actually contribute to facial wrinkles. If you spend most of the day toting a plastic water bottle or a straw in your soft drink, your pursing may be causing more and deeper lines to appear around your mouth. Try drinking straight from a glass or picking up a reusuable bottle that propels water into your mouth to keep your pout pucker-free.
Sleeping Skin
If a few new lines have popped up recently, your preferred sleeping position may be the culprit. Side and front sleepers spend long hours each night with their skin crumpled against the pillow, which eventually will not fade once your pillow has left the bed. Train yourself to sleep on your back if possible, or if you can't bear to give up the fetal position, try satin or silk pillowcases with the highest-thread count for a softer sleep.
Watch What You Put on Your Face
Even if you make a habit of not touching your face, those chic sunglasses you wear everyday may be to blame for your clogged pores. Glasses, sunglasses and cell-phones all spend a lot of time on your face and are known bacteria breeders. Simply wipe down your glasses with an anti-bacterial cloth and opt-for hands-free mode the next time you're in for an extended phone call.
Toxic Beauty Creams
Despite the flashy advertisements and big promises, some ingredients found in beauty creams actually speed up the aging process! Check the label and avoid those with common chemicals like parabens, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum and dimethicone. Your skin will thank you.
Pull Down that Airplane Shade
Frequent fliers are at extra risk for damaged skin, as solar rays are more intense at high altitudes. Combine that with the dry air and your skin will soon look as rough as the tarmac. To make your trip more skin healthy, keep those cells hydrated with lots of water, slather on the sunscreen and keep your window shade down.
