Skin Care

8 Habits of Women With Perfect Skin

You don't need excellent genes to have great skin. We asked women ages 24 to 83 to share their perfect-skin secrets -- here's what they said

by Anna Jimenez, Allie Flinn

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The Habit: They're Obsessive About Sun Protection Much in the way you wouldn't leave the house without brushing your teeth, these women slather on sunscreen every morning, without fail, even if they're simply en route to the office. And, no, a BB cream with SPF 15 doesn't count.

Even if their day cream and foundation have SPF protection, they still layer on a dedicated sunscreen (We love Dermalogica Pure Light SPF 50, $62 for its quick absorbency and matte finish).

When outdoors for extended periods of time, our perfect-skinned women are just as diligent about reapplication -- every two hours as recommended. One of our favorite ways to reapply without messing up makeup: using a mineral sunscreen powder that we can dust on. Try: Colorescience Sunforgettable SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sun Protection, $50.

Why you should try it: "Every day, rain or shine, it's important to use an SPF 30 sunscreen with broad spectrum protection," says Jaliman. She says there have been twin studies that show that the twin who wore sunscreen looked 10-20 years younger than the twin who did not wear sunscreen.

Jaliman prefers physical sunscreens with a high concentration of zinc oxide, because they're soothing to the skin and don't cause irritation. If you're going to be sweating outside, choose a water-resistant formula that's good for at least 80 minutes.

Image via Vayzo

SEE NEXT PAGE: The Habit: They Have a Thing for Antioxidants

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