If you're slathering on moisturizers and lotions but find that you're still suffering from dry, itchy skin, it could be because you're reaching for products packed with the wrong ingredients. In order to get supersoft, silky skin, you not only need to attract moisture, but you need to lock it in by maintaining your skin's protective barrier -- and it turns out certain ingredients do a better job of doing that than others.
Of U.S. cities, which town is the fairest of them all? No, we're not talking waterfalls and flowers; we're talking people. And since beauty is pretty much in the eye of the beholder, we admit, it's hard to tell which town takes the title. There are so many qualities to consider: good looks (like having beautiful hair or clear skin), fit figures, brains, personality, charisma, sense of humor ... and everyone's preferences are so different. But just for fun, we put good looks way up there.
One of my least favorite questions of all time is this-- Are you tired? Sure, sometimes I am tired, and yes, when I am tired I rarely make any attempts to disguise it. But most of the time, the clue that's probed the question isn't the extra large coffee that I have a death grip on or my obvious lack of peppiness; it's those pesky dark circles under my eyes.
Do you religiously slather on sunscreen all summer long, only to find a fresh batch of freckles and dark spots come August? Getting -- and keeping -- flawless skin takes more than simply applying SPF (though that is a big part).
Bad news for all of us pale folks: There really is no such thing as a "safe" tan. We already knew that tanning beds and laying out in the sun were killing us slowly, but now it seems we need to add spray tans and self-tanners to the list.
Love your town or not, your environment might bear some responsibility for those wrinkles and spots on your face and body. Factors like sun damage, dryness, pollution and high stress levels can seriously affect the condition of your skin, making you look older than you are. Of course, you can always overcompensate by boosting sunscreen to 60+ for those long drives, chugging more water to beat the heat, and deep-breathing your way through (cough) traffic. Or you could just move to one of the U.S.'s ideal skin cities (which we picked based on humidity, sunshine, stress, pollution and skin cancer levels as well as factors like diet). See if your town is on the list, or if your body just might need a change of scenery to stay youthful.
It's 10 pm. Time to remove your makeup and start your nightly skin care regimen. A serum here, a cream there. Fifteen minutes in the morning, 15 at night. With all the effort you put into your skin, it's hard not to dread the entire ordeal; and frankly, finding the time isn't easy either. (Trust us -- we feel your pain.) So in case you're wondering, is this all really necessary? We turned to the pros: New York City dermatologist, Dr. Sapna Westley and Dr. Mary Lupo, board certified dermatologist in New Orleans, La. to find out why you should keep up that routine -- day and night.
You might have your skin care routine down pat, but it never hurts to take a second look at what you're doing to ensure your skin is in tip-top shape. Check out our list of AM and PM product essentials to see if you're going about your daily regimen the right way.
What we would give to have our 20-year-old skin back (well, minus the acne). Since that's pretty much impossible -- and sitting around waiting for wrinkles to develop or dropping a ton of cash on regular dermatologist visits isn't an option either -- it's time for a new plan. One that includes these expert recommended anti-aging strategies. Follow these tips to keep wrinkles at a minimum and help reverse some of the damage you already see.
We love the red carpet as much as you do -- watching Hollywood's hottest, chicest, sexiest stars walk the walk and talk the talk. And while we adore the designer dresses, jewels and arm candy, what we'd truly treasure -- forever -- are the secrets to their glowing, gorgeous, flawless skin. That's why we went straight to the pros who know -- top makeup artists, dermatologists and plastic surgeons -- to dish on how you can snag yourself a big screen-worthy complexion. See their advice here.
Dulling skin, spreading lines, growing brown spots, enlarged pores -- is there no relief? Aging can be a pesky reminder of fleeting youth; it either creeps up on you or hits you one day like a ton of bricks. Unfortunately, there's no time machine (yet) that keeps you smooth and firm forever -- but, whether it's with the help of cosmetic surgery and makeup or just really good skin care, there are proven ways to elude premature signs of aging on your face, hands and other commonly exposed body parts. We asked several dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists and some really young-looking seniors what they did to keep their skin in great shape. Here, we share their short- and long-term skincare secrets, habits and tips that can slow down and, in some cases, turn back visible signs of aging. No matter your age, this guide will help your skin be the best it can be throughout your lifetime -- provided you follow suit. Next time someone asks, go ahead and tell them your age; we bet they'll be impressed.
Let's face it, aging can be an unpleasant process to watch. There's nothing quite like realizing your "cheekbone" isn't quite where it used to be, or that your eyelids are slowly sagging into your line of sight. But you don't need to wince next time you look in the mirror. Aging gracefully is not only a beautiful thing but very doable. Whether you're in your 20s or your 60s, there are measures you can take to slow (or even turn back) the clock, and infuse your skin with a youthful glow. We talked to a cosmetic scientist, a dermatologist and a cosmetic surgeon about which skin care ingredients and technologies are most important and effective when it comes to battling common skin issues like multiplying brown spots, sagging skin, loss of volume and deepening wrinkles. Some are new; some have been around for decades -- all have shown impressive results. Next time you're at the drugstore, you can put this newfound knowledge to use to find a skin care treatment that addresses your main concerns -- and makes your skin look gorgeous.
