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Youthful Skin Forever

By Elizabeth Parker

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Cleopatra, aka “Queen of the Nile,” was known for regularly soaking her skin in a rose petal and milk bath to keep it soft. The ancient Greeks used honey and the Romans olive oil as natural skin moisturizers. Over the centuries, many skin care regimens have developed and adapted and come and gone -- all in the name of healthy, youthful-looking skin.

But between countless old wives’ tales and shelves chocked with “the best” products available, how do you know the real deal when it comes to skin care? Here, Live Right Live Well offers eight skin care essentials from the experts to increase your chances of having great-looking derm:

• Protect your skin from the sun Whether you are young or old, light-skinned or dark, “the absolute most important thing you can do is protect your skin from the sun,” says Jennifer Reichel, M.D., of the Pacific Dermatology and Cosmetic Center in Seattle. Repeated exposure to the sun -- at any time of year, not just summer -- can cause wrinkles and age spots and give skin a leathery look. Fortunately, “most skin care products have an SPF in them,” says Dr. Reichel. “Use ones that have an SPF of 15 or higher.” She also recommends applying sunscreen to your chest and neck since “these areas can get wrinkles, too!” And if you really crave the sun-kissed look of a tan, skip the sun and tanning booths and use a “sunless tanner” instead. These creams, gels, lotions and sprays safely darken skin without exposure to solar rays.
  
• Don’t smoke Smoking can be ruinous for your skin. The constant puckering of the lips creates lines around the mouth, and years of smoking can eventually give skin an unattractive yellowish cast, according to Dr. Reichel.
  
• Nourish your skin from within Eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins A, B and C, as well as green tea and soy extracts. This will help nourish your skin from the inside out and can be particularly beneficial to people who are concerned about wrinkles, according to Diane S. Berson, M.D., spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology and assistant professor of dermatology at Cornell University.
  
• Keep clean Regular cleansing and moisturizing is a must. But you don’t have to go crazy, notes Dr. Reichel. Just wash your face once a day, more often if you’ve been especially active. Mild soap and water are fine, used with a washcloth. “I don’t advocate scrubbing,” Dr. Reichel adds, as this can irritate skin. After patting your face dry with a towel, apply a moisturizer that suits your skin type. “Lighter skin tends to be more dry and may need more moisturizer,” she adds. If your skin is on the oily side, try using less moisturizer or a light lotion instead of a heavier cream. Look for products that contain poly hydroxy acids (PHA), which can help skin retain moisture and thus look less dry.
  
• Exfoliate! Dead cells on the surface of your skin can give your face a dull look. Exfoliants are rich cleansers that contain sand-like granules and chemicals, such as glycolic or salicylic acids, which remove dead cells from the skin’s surface. You can rejuvenate your skin and give it a fresh glow by using an exfoliant on a regular basis -- once or twice a week for most women, less if it causes skin irritation or redness. But use these products with care. “You can overdo it with exfoliants,” says Dr. Reichel. If your skin reacts with redness, see your dermatologist, who can prescribe a less harsh product.
  
• Stick with what works If you’ve found skin care products that you like, stick with them, advises Dr. Reichel. Changing brands too often can cause skin irritation. Also keep in mind that expensive products are not necessarily better than cheaper ones, adds Dr. Berson. In addition, be wary of too-good-to-be-true claims. If you’re not sure which products are best or safest for your skin, talk to your dermatologist.
  
• Consider Retin A If your skin has already suffered from sun damage or has some wrinkles, new products and treatments are available to help restore smoothness. “Retin A has been shown in studies to reduce wrinkles and brown pigmentation,” says Dr. Reichel. A topical medication, Retin A (also known as retinoic acid or tretinoin) is available in over-the-counter products. A dermatologist can prescribe stronger forms of Retin A and advise you of the best way to use this product for your skin type. (Note: Some forms of Retin A, as well as some acne medications, are not safe to use during pregnancy. If you think you might be pregnant, speak to your doctor before trying these products.)
  
• Include a dermatologist in your skin care routine “Every woman should have a yearly check-up with her dermatologist,” says Peter Goldman, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, Los Angeles. A dermatologist can offer the best guidance for maintaining youthful-looking skin and the most up-to-date treatments for sun-damaged or aging skin. These include light chemical peels, which can reduce wrinkles; and intense pulse light (IPL) treatments, which use light to close pores, erase fine wrinkles and ease pigment problems, says Dr. Goldman. A new treatment using a fraxel repair laser has also been shown to be effective in treating wrinkled and sun-damaged skin, he adds. But even more important, a dermatologist will help safeguard your health by checking for pre-cancers and skin cancers.

So permission granted to pamper your skin. With a little special care, skin care products you love and a dermatologist you trust, you can keep a healthy glow for years to come.

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