No-Fail Skin Care Tips

People are always asking me how to get smooth, healthy, beautiful skin. Few people have naturally perfect skin, but we can all work with what we have. While there are no magic secrets, here are some of my no-fail skin care tips to get you glowing:

1. Beautiful skin starts with a healthy lifestyle. That includes eating the right (nutritious, natural) foods, drinking lots of water, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, protecting your skin from the sun, not smoking, and really limiting how much caffeine and/or alcohol you drink.

2. We all need to get at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day. When choosing my 5 servings, I look for “ACE” vitamins: A to keep skin youthful; C to keep skin clear; and E to protect your skin from environmental damage. You can find vitamin A in carrots, spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes and melons. Vitamin C is in peppers, strawberries, oranges, grapefruit, leafy greens and kiwi. For vitamin E, eat apples, asparagus, mango, avocado, raw spinach, tomatoes and turnip greens, as well as some nuts, seeds and healthy oils.

3. Normal skin can be cleansed with lathering cleansers and moisturized with lightweight lotions. A diet rich in the “ACE” vitamins will help keep normal skin smooth and soft.

4. Dry skin calls for a healthy diet with foods high in water content, such as fruits and vegetables, and at least 8 glasses of water each day. Caffeine and alcohol cause dehydration, so consume them with care. Dry skin does best with cream or balm cleansers and cream moisturizers. On days when skin is really dry you can layer moisturizers for really deep hydration. And watch out for air conditioning—use a humidifier to keep skin moist.

5. Oily skin should be cleansed at least twice a day with gel cleanser to keep pores clean and open. An alcohol-free toner is good for removing excess oil. And oil-free moisturizers keep the skin from becoming too dry.

6. Sensitive skin can range from dry to oily and may be easily irritated by cosmetics, moisturizers and cleansers. If your skin is sensitive, you want to use very mild, non-perfumed cleansing and moisturizing products specially formulated for your skin.

7. Exfoliating cleansers, which are gentle enough for all skin types, can be used a few times a week to encourage skin cell turnover. Whatever your skin type, do not use body soap on your face—it will strip skin of its natural oils and leave it feeling tight and dry.

8. And remember to wear sunscreen every day. No matter what your skin type, we all need year-round protection from harmful UV rays. A lotion with SPF protection of 15 or 30 is key whenever you’re outdoors, running errands, or going to work. Apply sunscreen before moisturizer and makeup.