...it's basically the same thing again: sunscreen, creams, etc
. But hopefully someone will find it helpful.
Skincare Basics
With new creams and ingredients being launched seemingly every day, it's easy to get confused by all the options. And unless you're willing to spend hours on your skin care routine every day by incorporating all of these different lotions, you'll need to pick and choose which basics are right for you. Here, the bare minimum that you need:
• Sunscreen: It's a must, essential for preventing sun damage and lowering your risk of developing skin cancer. Many skin care lines have facial moisturizers with SPF already included; they offer a more luxurious, makeup-friendly texture than traditional sunscreens. If you use only one product, sunscreen should be it.
• Eye cream: The skin under your eyes is more delicate and dry than the skin on the rest of your face. It's wise to invest in an eye cream, which treats the eye area with more emollient moisturizers. Some eye creams even claim to minimize dark circles and temporarily tighten fine lines.
• Retinols: If you're concerned with wrinkles and pigmentation spots, a face cream with retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) can help. Use it in place of your daytime, SPF moisturizer after you wash your face at night.
• Body lotion with alpha-hydroxy acids: A lotion with skin-sloughing AHAs smoothes your whole body, including hands, feet, arms, and legs. For tough dry spots, apply extra lotion before bed and let it soak in while you sleep.
Save Your Skin
We all know that time in the sun is not without consequences -- sagging skin, deep lines, and ugly brown splotches. But looking older than you are isn't the worst of it. Years of excessive and unprotected sun exposure can also lead to skin cancer. The good news is that it's not too late to protect your skin or to treat the damage that's been done. We asked leading dermatologists for easy-to-employ tactics to help you outsmart the sun and diminish damage it's already done. Here's what to do now to prevent future damage to your skin.
1. Choose a sunscreen with both UVA and UVB filters.
This is key, since only products with this distinction give you enough protection against two types of ultraviolet light: UVB, the shorter "burning" rays, are implicated in the development of skin cancers because they cause DNA changes that lead to uncontrolled growth of skin cells; and UVA, the longer-wave so-called "aging" rays, may weaken immune-system cells of the skin and only recently have been recognized as a factor in the development of skin cancer. A sunscreen's SPF is based only on its ability to block sunburn. There are currently no standard requirements for describing UVA protection. However, all SPF 15 or higher sunscreens also provide some protection against UVA. Parsol 1789 (also known as avobenzone), zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide all provide good protection -- check labels. (One new formula that fits the bill: L'Oreal Ombrelle Extreme SPF 40, $8.99.)
2. Upgrade to an SPF 30 sunscreen.
With studies showing that most of us don't apply enough sunscreen to get adequate protection, dermatologists now recommend switching from an SPF 15 to an SPF 30 -- at least between April and September when the burning rays (UVB) are strongest. What about facial moisturizers with SPF 15 and higher? While some offer adequate UVA protection -- Olay Total Effects Moisturizing Complex with UV Protection SPF 15 ($19.99) and SkinCeuticals Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30 ($34) are two choices -- many do not. In that case, apply a separate SPF 30 facial sunscreen (oil-free gels are the least greasy), advises Nicholas Lowe, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA School of Medicine and author of Skin Secrets (Sterling, 1999). Give sunscreen a good 20 minutes to bind with your skin before applying anything else. If you sweat off your sunscreen, stash a tube in your bag and reapply. And if you're beach-bound or playing sports, opt for a highly water-resistant formula.
3. Tune in to forgotten areas.
Studies show that the nose is often missed when people apply sunscreen. No wonder it has one of the highest incidence rates of skin cancer. Backs of knees and tops of feet are two other forgotten zones, according to Susan Boiko, M.D., member of the American Cancer Society Skin Cancer Advisory Group. Other overlooked spots include the backs of hands -- which often look older than the face as a result. One solution: Apply a hand cream with sunscreen every time you wash up.
Sunglasses, makeup, and more
4. Look for the sun-safe shades.
Sunglasses that offer UVA/UVB protection are the best defense against such sun-related ophthalmic diseases such as cataracts. You are especially vulnerable if you have blue or green eyes, cautions Mary Lupo, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University, in New Orleans. The safest styles are wraparounds that hug the curves of your face, since rays can sneak around the sides of glasses.
5. Wear makeup.
"Foundation is formulated with titanium dioxide, a sunscreening ingredient. Smoothing it over sunscreen offers extra protection," says Deborah S. Sarnoff, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist and author of Beauty and the Beam (St. Martin's Press, 1998). Lipstick also contains titanium dioxide, as well as sun-blocking pigments, which is why dermatologists believe they see skin cancers on women's lips less often -- a good thing, since lip cancers can be particularly aggressive.
6. Dress defensively.
Start by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, suggests Lupo. "Baseball caps protect the nose well, but expose the sides of the face." Consider, too, sun-protective clothing, such as those made by SunPrecautions that provide SPF 30 and higher. You might already have clothes with high SPFs in your closet -- loosely fitting, tightly woven apparel made of synthetic, or at least blended, fabrics. Darker colors also filter out more sun than lighter shades do. And just out this spring is Rit Sun Guard ($4.09), a laundry treatment that washes in sun protection of about SPF 30.
7. Walk on the shady side of the street.
It's a simple strategy that proves effective over time. Though trees and buildings don't offer much protection against UVA, they do limit exposure to UVB.
8. Don't overdo cosmeceuticals. With more and more beauty potions containing alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), salicylic acids, antioxidants, and retinoids, mixing a cleanser from one line with a scrub or daytime moisturizer from another, then a night cream from yet another, can lead to over-exfoliation and irritation, says Deborah S. Sarnoff, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine, in New York City. This can add up to a real problem, especially for women with olive and darker complexions, who are more prone to discoloration when their skin is irritated. To play it really safe, stick with one line of products which are formulated to work together. If you use any prescription products, such as Renova, ask your dermatologist to advise you on how to combine prescription treatments with over-the-counter cosmeceutical products.
9. Shake your booty. Twenty to 30 minutes of any aerobic exercise will give you a glow. Exercise increases blood flow, which brings more nutrients to the skin, says Sarnoff. But beware -- the buildup of oil and perspiration can result in sweatband acne, folliculitis, and prickly heat. The solution: Shower as soon as possible after working out.
10. Eat healthy. Antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E) -- which help reduce sun damage and fight certain cancers, including skin cancer -- are essential to your health, says Wilma F. Bergfeld, M.D., director of clinical research, department of dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic. She recommends a well-balanced diet filled with at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, plus a multivitamin that meets RDA standards.
11. Don't wear your makeup to bed. We all know it, but we sometimes do it anyway. "Layers of foundation, powder, and blusher left on overnight can clog pores and lead to acne or folliculitis," warns Sarnoff. Take it all off before bed with a mild non-soap cleanser. But don't waste your money on a cleanser with glycolic acid or AHAs: "It's not on your face long enough to absorb into the skin," says Sarnoff. "These ingredients are more effective in your moisturizer."
12. Hands off those zits. Poking, prodding, and popping can prolong a pimple's life and make the problem worse. Scarring and the spread of infection are two possible consequences. To speed up healing, cleanse your face, then apply a warm compress, such as a clean, damp washcloth. Next, dab on an over-the-counter cream or lotion containing a drying agent, such as salicylic acid, sulfur, or benzoyl peroxide.
13. Get your shut-eye. Most of us don't get the eight to nine hours we need to avoid sleep deprivation. There haven't been any conclusive studies on how being tired affects skin, says Alexa Boyer Kimball, but the effects aren't hard to detect -- namely, under-eye circles. The solution: Budget in sleep time, including a short afternoon nap whenever you can manage it. The downside: Sleeping in the same position for years on end can lead to wrinkles. Look for special pillows that help prevent sleep creases on your face. One to try: PillowPositive ($129; to order, call 877-753-3711).
14. Adopt "water, water, every day" as your mantra. Yes, drinking water does keep you hydrated, which helps skin look and feel better," says Bergfeld. Get in the standard 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses throughout the day -- more if you're a heavy exerciser. Bergfeld also warns that many of the new sugar substitutes are dehydrating, so drink more water if you're into low-cal liquids.
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