Skin Care

Skin

• Traditional cleansers may not get skin 100% clean if you wear full-coverage foundation or SPF 45 (or higher) sunscreen.  Instead, try a cleansing oil.  Massage it over the skin to dissolve hard-to-remove products.  Then use a regular cleanser to wash your face.  << Great tip for removing makeup after a shoot when you may be wearing more than usual! 
• If you have dry skin that is flaky, consider washing your face with a dandruff shampoo instead of your regular cleanser once a month; this reduces the yeast levels that cause scaly skin.
• Dark Spots?  use a creamy cleanser that contains niacin to help.  Niacin has been proven to increase cell turnover, ridding skin of dead cells that contain excess pigmentation.  For best results, apply the cleanser directly to dry skin, then rinse.  Other ingredients that lighten: kojic acid, vitamin C, and licorice root.
• For stubborn eye makeup, first saturate a cotton square (it's less abrasive than a a cotton ball) with an oil-based remover.  Press over eyes for 30 seconds before gently wiping away, then rinse away oil completely with a regular cleanser.  If you have dry skin, just wipe away excess oil with your cotton pad, allowing a bit to remain on skin to moisturize it.
• Remove long-wearing lipstick by dipping a cotton swap in oil-based eye-makeup remover and rubbing it over the lips.  If color is still stuck, try the same trick using a baby toothbrush.
• Apply skin-care treatment products in order of thinnest to thickest.   Thicker products will prevent lighter ones from working their magic if applied first.
• What's your skin type? Take a single piece of tissue to figure it out.  Wash and dry your face and leave it unmoisturized for three hours, then, press the tissue to your face and remove it.  You have normal skin if no oil comes off on the tissue and your face doesn't feel tight or flaky.  You have dry skin if no oil comes off but your skin feels dry, tight, and flaky.  You have oily skin if there's oil from you nose, forehead, and cheeks.  You have combination skin if there's oil from your nose and forehead but not your cheeks.  Pick skin-care products according to your type.
• Special Occasion Secret: The day before a party (or a photo shoot), don't risk a facial that could leave your face red and raw.  An at-home mask made with one teaspoon raw oatmeal and one teaspoon honey is a much safer bet.  Let it sit on skin fro five minutes, then rinse.  The minerals in oatmeal  are soothing, and honey hydrates and kills bacteria.
• Give it time: Acne treatments can take six weeks to three months to work, skin lightening products take six to twelve months to work, and anti-aging products take at least three months.  Only stop if you experience an adverse reaction such as swelling, itching, rash, or redness beyond what is expected of the product (and it should say if it will cause redness!).
• Sensitive skin can't take too many active ingredients.  Use a fragrance-free cleanser and moisturize with a serum that has anti-inflammatory antioxidants such as green tea.
• If your face gets splotchy, drink a glass of ice water (especially when you're nervous).  Doing so will tone down your redness.  The cold causes blood vessels to constrict and cool you from the inside out.
• Warm-weather trick: When it's warm outside, layer your moisturizer to fight dryness caused by sun, heat, chlorine, and salt water.  Use a hydrating wash in the shower (look for one with vitamins B3 and B5 to help reduce water loss), then apply a light lotion immediately after your shower to further soften skin.
• Refresh your complexion by dipping a washcloth in soy milk and resting it on your face for 10 minutes once a week.  Soy is a skin brightener and has ingredients that prevent wrinkles.
• Moisturize within two to three minutes of showering to prevent water from evaporating off your skin; oil-based lotions, creams, and gels are designed to trap water and work best when massaged into damp skin.

Acne

• DO NOT POP, SQUEEZE, OR PICK AT ACNE!  This leaves SCARS!  It may seem like the fastest way to rid yourself of a blemish but you are actually leaving permanent damage.  Don't do it!
• Be gentle: don't scrub your skin, don't use a cleansing puff, washcloth, or abrasive cleanser.  These can irritate the skin and lead to breakouts.
•  Wash acne-prone skin twice a day with a mild soap or cleanser and rinse with warm water.  Use your hands to gently apply the cleanser and rinse.
• Apply acne products to clean skin.  The best time to apply acne products is after washing; if the product stings your skin, be sure to wait 10-15 minutes after washing before applying it - stinging means you skin is irritated and irritation leads to breakouts. 
• Dermatologists recommend that you apply an acne-fighting product to the entire acne-prone area, not just the blemishes.  Dab several smaller amounts onto the skin and spread it around.  This delivers a stronger concentration of medicine to several areas and increases effectiveness.
• Remember that acne treatments can take six weeks to three months to work; give it time!  The exception is if it causes a rash, swelling, itching or redness; if this happens, stop using it and see a doctor.
• Clean your cell phone with an anti-bacterial wipe once a day to remove acne-causing bacteria from leading to a breakout.
• Cleanse after sweating.  Sweating, especially under a hat or helmet, can lead to breakouts.  Gently cleansing skin as soon as possible after sweating helps to clear the skin and prevent breakouts.  Keep acne wipes in your locker or gym bag.
• If your hair is oily, shampoo daily.  This is important while you are trying to clear your skin and after your skin clears.  Oil from your hair can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
• Reduce a pimple's redness by spraying a small amount of nasal decongestant on it.  It sounds weird but the spray is designed to lessen inflammation and it works on a blemish.
• To get rid of blackheads, use a 5% benzoyl peroxide solution to kill bacteria and break down and remove dead cells.  Then exfoliate with a salicylic acid buffing pad to gently polish the skin.
• Use oil-free products.  Your skin care products and cosmetics should say "oil-free," "won't clog pores," or "noncomedogenic."  Products that clog pores can lead to breakouts.  To prevent breakouts after acne clears, continue to use oil-free products.
• Make sure you still moisturize, even if you have oily skin.  Dry skin will kick oil-production into overdrive and lead to further breakouts.
• See a dermatologist or look into "personalized" acne products such as Neutrogena SkiniD if none of these simple solutions appear to be working.  I personally also have had great success with Proactiv.  For the record, I do not get any money for endorsing any of these products!
• Use separate towels to dry your face and hair.  This prevents the oils from your scalp from rubbing off on your face and causing breakouts.
• Clean makeup brushes with a clarifying shampoo once a week to rid them of products and bacteria that can clog pores.
• Apple cider vinegar can be used as a skin toner to get rid of acne marks.
• If you MUST pop a pimple, follow these steps to minimize damage: 
• Wash your hands thoroughly, especially under the nails.  You don't want to introduce dirt, oil, and bacteria back into the pimple!
• Clean the skin around the pimple with an antibacterial cleanser
• Gently exfoliate over the pimple to loosen and remove dead skin cells.  This clears any blockage and makes the process less painful
• Press a very warm, moist washcloth over the pimple for five minutes to open up the pores
• Put on disposable gloves or cover your fingers with tissue.  This creates a barrier  between any remaining bacteria on your fingers and your skin as well as preventing your nails from damaging the skin on your face
• Find the center of the pimple (highest point) and plant the pads of your fingertips evenly on each side.  Don't push your fingers together, instead, pull the skin apart.  Since the skin is exfoliated it should pull apart easily allowing the puss to come out.  Now, massage the skin around the pimple to encourage the remaining puss, dirt, and oil to come out but don't touch the pimple except to blot away  the puss.  There should be no bleeding!  If there is, you've squeezed too much and created a wound that may scar.
• Wipe the area with an antiseptic solution
• Apply a benzoyl peroxide acne treatment directly on the pimple (not around it).  This helps eliminate the bacteria that was inside the pimple and keeps it from reforming.

Beautiful at any AGE!

• Ages 18-25: Your oil glands are working at full speed, your skin is supple and naturally well moisturized.  Your cells regenerate regularly, giving you an even texture and a pretty, rosy glow.  There is also a downside; excess oil production sometimes causes breakouts and a shiny look.  Your strategy should be:
•  Wash with a mild cleanser to remove makeup, oil and dirt without stripping your skin.  If you have greasy skin, use a foaming oil-free face wash.
• Go for an oil-free moisturizer (with SPF during the day).  Pick one with antioxidants like vitamins C or E or a combo of both.  The free-radical fighters help prevent and repair sun and environmental damage.  Avoid heavy creams that clog pores.
• Keep blemishes at bay by exfoliating one to two times a week with a gentle scrub.  If you're prone to breakouts, try a benzoyl peroxide system like Proactiv.  Just have a lone pimple or two?  Dab on a salicylic acid spot treatment to nix those.
• Start using eye cream NOW.  The skin around your peepers is the thinnest and least oily so it requires a thicker moisturizer.  Also, wear your sunglasses anytime you're outside to keep from squinting and causing those crows-feet down the road.  Your future-self will thank you!
• Ages 26-30:  Oil production is under control!  Except for the occasional zit, you should be in the clear.  Unfortunately, collagen production and cell renewal is slowing down so environmental issues can play a heavier role now that things aren't regenerating like they used to.  Your strategy should be:
• Switch to a cleanser with salicylic acid and gentle sloughers.  It will prevent sporadic breakouts and get rid of dullness-causing dead skin cells.  
• Throw in a deeper exfoliating treatment weekly.  Glycolic peel and microdermabrasion kits remove damaged surface skin, revealing a fresher layer underneath and also stimulate collagen production.
• Keep sweeping on an antioxidant-laced oil-free lotion (with SPF during the day).  At night, choose a moisturizer with retinol, which encourages cell renewal and actually teaches your skin to exfoliate more efficiently on its own.  Retinol needs to be used in the P.M. because sunlight harms its effectiveness.
• Make sure you exfoliate, moisturize and apply SPF to your chest, neck, and hands.  They get as much sun as your face and will give away your age if you don't take care of them.
• Ages 31-35:  If you've behaved yourself and avoided sunbathing and smoking, you should be fine.  Your cheeks may appear less plump, and you might have some little lines, discoloration, and dryness.  No worries, follow this strategy and you'll be fine:
• Make sure you are smoothing on a serum twice a day.  Most can deliver more potent levels of age-fighting active ingredients than a regular lotion.
• Follow your a.m. serum application with an SPF lotion that will also treat pigmentation problems.  Look for lightening and brightening products.
• Layer a heavier moisturizer and eye cream at night (no more oil-free products!) over your serum to boost hydration.  Look for hefty doses of retinol and hyaluronic acid, a plumping agent that attracts moisture.
• Worried about wrinkles?  See your dermatologist for some powerful potions by prescription.

Regardless of age, these things will ruin your skin no matter what products you throw at them:

• Tanning
• Smoking
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Yo-yo dieting
• Not getting enough sleep
• Overcleansing or harsh scrubbing
• Forgetting to take your multivitamin (or any kind of malnutrition)