Try any of these expert tips and tricks to get the clear, radiant skin you’ve always wanted
1. Drop dairy from your diet (even that little bit in your latte). "Dairy products—even those that are organic—contain cow hormones that stimulate your oil glands and your pores, leading to acne". Beware of hidden dairy in foods like salad dressing, protein bars, and shakes. And if you have to go there, stick to skim. "The hormones are concentrated in the fat, so it's your best option."
2. Exfoliate for smaller-looking pores. It's amazing how something so tiny can feel so huge, but enlarged pores are one of the most common beauty complaints. "Pores appear larger when they're filled with dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and keratin, a protein that lives on the surface of skin". "Remove those plugs, and they seem to shrink."
To clear out the gunk, start exfoliating regularly with daily applications of salicylic and glycolic acid, like those in Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel. Then add in a exfoliating facial scrub like the M3 Naturals Himalayan Facial Scrub once or twice a week to clear the dead surface cells. To keep pores from getting even bigger as you age, practice safe sun. "Sun damage breaks down collagen, which can affect pore size as well."
3. Drink LOTS of water. "Water helps clear the toxins that cause inflammation and blemishes". "It also assists in transporting nutrients and oxygen to skin cells, and preventing dehydration, which can cause premature aging." It can even make skin appear fuller since the hyaluronic acid that naturally exists in skin will pull in and hold the water for a wrinkle-plumping effect. 8 glasses of water each day is recommended, more if you're active or live in a warm climate. To add a little flavor, try a skin-soothing tea like chamomile or mint.
4. Put down the French fries. Research shows that a diet high in fats and carbohydrates causes more wrinkles. "Creamy cheeses and red meats are actually known as aging fats because of what they do to our skin". To keep your cells revved up and rejuvenated, stick to lean protein like fish, white meat poultry, tofu, beans, lentils, and many fruits and veggies.
5. Don't wait to moisturize. Most creams and lotions have key ingredients that create a protective barrier on the surface of the skin to lock in moisture, but because skin cools itself by evaporating water, you only have a few minutes before that hydration is gone forever.
Slather on a moisturizer with dimethicone, a form of silicone, while your face is still damp. Alexiades-Armenakas' research shows that it locks in moisture for up to 24 hours, plumping and improving the appearance of fine lines as skin drinks up the moisture (like the difference between a raisin and a grape). After Washing your face add in organic Vitamin E oil and 100% Natural Aloe Vera Gel to get rid of fine lines and discoloring and decrease inflammation.
Beauty Guru signing off.... OVER & OUT!