More than a glam wardrobe or an artistic hand with make-up, “Glowing Skin” turns heads – true or false?

 You bet your glowing complexion True! Good or bad skin can make or break any look or lass.

 Million bucks question – what is the key to gorgeous skin? (Genetic lottery?)

Yes, some people win the hereditary lottery when it comes to good skin. Not all skin is created equal. You can’t underestimate the value of genetics. But genes are just the starting point. Beautiful skin is also about good skincare habits practiced day in and day out.

Here are, my top (dermatologist approved) secrets to stunning skin.

Proof Is In The Pudding – Sunscreen Yes, Smoking No

Imagine two people starting out with the same exact DNA. One smoked and sunbathed – the other avoided both. Would that make a difference in the appearance of their skin? – Yes.

A team of experts led by plastic surgeon Bahman Guyuron, MD, from Case Western Reserve University analyzed photographs of the faces of 186 pairs of identical twins taken at the Twins Day Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio. The twins also filled out detailed questionnaires about their lives and daily habits. Those who smoked and spent lots of time outdoors without wearing sunscreen looked years older than the sibling who shunned cigarettes and tanning. Sun and smoke clearly cause skin aging: fine lines, deeper and more plentiful wrinkles, and mottled skin.

Multiple studies over time have shown that smoking is also associated with premature wrinkling.

Ladies and gentlemen, learn a lesson from all this research and actively save your skin by avoiding UV rays and cigs.

• Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. Reapply your sunscreen every two to three hours when you’re outdoors.
• Don’t smoke – for the sake of your overall health as well as your appearance.

Indulge In The Tried & Tested – Rejuvenating Retinoids

In my opinion a retinoid should be the foundation of any topical anti-aging regimen.  Start early, be proactive and make a retinoid part of your evening regimen beginning in your 20’s and you can preserve your youth and slow the hands of clock surefire.

Retinoids unplug pores, help clear up acne, reduce fine lines, boost collagen production, lighten brown spots and freckles, and improve skin texture. They can even help treat precancerous lesions. The downside is: retinoids can cause dryness, flaking, and redness at first. To avoid this drawback, start out slowly by applying a pea-sized amount of retinoid every second or third night. It’d help your skin adjust to the powerful ingredient gradually over time. Another way to avoid inconvenience is considering an over-the-counter cream, gel, or serum containing retinol. This non-prescription version of a retinoid works more gradually and gently but is still effective in rejuvenating your skin. Retinoids are available in pharmacies under the name Retin-A (or the generic name tretinoin).

Too Many Ingredients Spoil The Broth – Keep Skincare Simple

Overuse of products is the biggest mistake people make in their skincare regimens. Some of my patients come in with a grocery bag full of products and wonder why their skin doesn’t look or feel great.

Using a lot of different ingredients can be irritating, and some ingredients can cancel out each other’s benefits. For example, the acid in salicylic or glycolic acid breaks down ingredients like retinol, hydroquinone, or vitamin C – Remember more is not necessarily better.

The products needed for beautiful skin are: a simple cleanser, sunscreen, moisturizer, and a retinoid or retinol. The simpler your skincare regimen, the more likely you are to stick with it.

Patience Is A Virtue My Friends – Give Products Time to Work

Changing your products every couple of weeks can also be counterproductive.  Give them a chance! Finish the entire tube or bottle of a skincare potion before you decide how well it works.

You might, though, want to adjust your beauty regimen seasonally, swapping, say, the oil-free moisturizer you use in the summer for one that’s more emollient during the winter.

The exception: If your skin reacts with swelling, redness, or burning to a new product you’ve tried, stop using it immediately. If not, finish the entire tube or bottle of a skincare potion before you give up on it.

Get On The Lifestyle Bandwagon – Balanced Life Leads to Best Skin

For traffic-stopping gorgeous skin, you don’t need an elaborate secret plan. Adopt daily healthy habits and watch your skin glow.

• Shun processed foods and buy organic fruits and vegetables at the local farmers’ market. Start your day with fruits (a mango, blueberry, and spinach smoothie)
• Exercise or practice yoga daily. Exercise increases circulation and the flow of nutrients to the skin. Activities like yoga and medication help keep stress in check, which in turn reduces the release of stress hormones that worsen conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea. Meditating regularly may even make treatments more effective. In one study, people with psoriasis (a skin condition that causes itchy, scaly skin) listened to meditation tapes while they got ultraviolet light treatments. The result: They healed four times as fast as those who didn’t meditate.
• Get seven or more hours of sleep a night. Regular sleep optimizes the natural secretion of human growth hormone, which promotes cell turnover and collagen production.

Luminous Skin Bottom Line: The key to gorgeous skin turns out to be a mix of science, common sense, overall good health habits, and a simple stick-to-it skincare regimen.

Happy Holidays!!!!