Help clients start the year off with these tips for improving the health and appearance of their skin. Dr. Joe Cerni, medical director and owner of Illuminate – Face & Body Bar, is a cosmetic physician, researcher and speaker specializing in aesthetic and regenerative medicine. He shares his expertise with these 8 insightful resolutions to help get you get glowing, beautiful skin in 2016.
Resolution #1: A good resolution to start with is to use more sunblock. I recommend using SPF 40 or 50 religiously twice a day and every two hours if you are out in the sun. Apply to your face, neck, hands, and other exposed parts of your body. This is a good resolution to follow year round, not just in the summer. The effects of aging are magnified and accelerated by sun exposure, so daily sunscreen is essential if you want to prevent and minimize the effects of sun damage. Even in winter when the sun's rays are weaker, wearing sunscreen when planning to be outside for more than 20 minutes is essential.
Resolution #2: Winter is the perfect time of the year to exfoliate to get rid of dead, dry skin all over the body, not just on the face. I am a big believer in body brushing every day before showering. Use a natural hair soft bristle body brush. Dry brush the whole body briskly with firm pressure in upward strokes, brushing toward the heart. Concentrate on thighs and buttocks with vigorous, upward strokes to minimize the appearance of cellulite, get rid of dry skin, and improve circulation. Follow up twice a week with an exfoliating scrub to get rid of all that dead skin.
However, when it comes to exfoliating, some is good but a lot is too much. Limiting exfoliating to once or twice a week can help you get rid of dead skin cells without making your skin red or raw. Too much exfoliation can also create micro-tears that may let in bacteria. Additionally, you should stick to a fine scrub on your face rather than a coarse one, which may be too much for delicate facial skin.
Resolution #3: After exfoliating in the shower, don’t forget to moisturize. Moisturizing can be an afterthought for some people as they think that the water from the shower hydrates the skin. Showering actually strips the skin of essential oils and leaves it dehydrated. An easy fix is to moisturize within 10 minutes of getting out of the shower as the skin starts to lose water vapor and dry out the longer you wait. After your shower, use a good body oil while skin is still wet to lock in moisture. Using a daily moisturizer will give your skin a healthy glow and help to minimize wrinkles. Many moisturizers also have dedicated anti-aging effects, and some also contain sunscreen -- a good alternative to wearing two different products. Choose a moisturizer that complements your skin type for the best possible results.
Resolution #4: Avoid the germs that cause acne. There are three basic ways to do this. Using an anti-bacterial cleanser to wash after sweating (post-workout) will prevent pores from clogging and bacteria from causing blemishes. Washing off all your makeup at night will also prevent pores from clogging overnight. Once a month, clean your makeup brushes with lukewarm water and hand soap or baby shampoo. Following these three practices will drastically reduce the appearance of blemishes caused by bacteria and clogged pores.
Resolution #5: When you go to bed, put your skin to bed. The skin takes a beating through the day, so it’s essential to let your skin refresh and recharge at night. Before going to sleep, make sure to wash your face with a mild cleanser followed up by a toner or gentle exfoliant. End with a nourishing moisturizer. Incorporating skin brighteners and retinol into your nightly routine will stimulate the turnover of new cells and protect the hydration of the skin, giving your skin a fresh start the following morning.
Resolution #6: In addition to all the topical products we can use, it’s essential to also take care of your skin from the inside out. The simplest way to do this is to drink lots of water. The Institute of Medicine recommends drinking between nine and 13 eight-ounce cups of water a day to stay hydrated and replenish the body’s water supply. If we don’t stay hydrated, skin will get dry, flaky and tight. Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling and aging. It is also important to keep the body alkalized for inner health. Squeeze fresh lemon in your drinking water to cleanse the blood and keep the body alkaline. Most people see this as a dietary resolution, but drinking water flushes the toxins out of your body and keeps skin looking youthful and healthy.
Resolution #7: Go for quality when selecting skin care products. Sure, you can buy beauty products at the local pharmacy, but talking to your dermatologist or aesthetician may convince you to spend a little more for quality ingredients that can have a tangible benefit for your skin. Having great skin is worth it. Instead of buying the first product you see at the pharmacy, choose products that have received multiple awards from the skin care community for their quality and effectiveness.
Resolution #8: Give it time. Just because your skin doesn't clear up or wrinkles don't fade in the first week of using a product doesn't mean that product is a dud. Most skin care products take 6 to 8 weeks of regular, faithful use to see noticeable results. A good rule of thumb is if you don't see improvement after 2 months, it's probably time to try a different product.
[Top Image: Getty Images, Bottom Image courtesy of Dr. Joe Cerni/Illuminate]
