Skin-Care Resolutions to Make This Year
In the spirit of the New Year, we gathered the best advice for the best skin for 2012.
Moisturize After Showering
We all know a warm shower strips skin of oils. One easy fix: Keep body lotion right in the shower, seeing it will remind you to apply it when your skin is damp, within ten minutes of turning off the water
Wear Sunscreen Daily
Doctors have long advised wearing sunscreen and reapplying it often. The challenge is finding a cream that offers enough protection and doesn't feel like a lead blanket. Look for "nongreasy" or "sheer" on the label.
Remove Makeup at Night
You've known since middle school that makeup can mix with skin oils and dirt to cause zits. Cosmetics can also trap skin-damaging free radicals that float in the air against your skin. Avoid the situation entirely by washing your face as soon as you get home.
Clean Up After the Gym
Don't let your skin take a hit just because you've discovered an amazing new workout. Wear moisture-wicking clothes and to pack salicylic acid Stridex pads in their gym bag. Swipe the face, back, and chest after class, and change into a clean, dry T-shirt. Back home, hop into the shower as soon as possible.
Book a Yearly Mole Check
Having a dermatologist survey your body once a year is crucial, even if you're diligent about monthly self-exams. For convenience, group your annual appointments (physical, mammogram, and dermatologist) at a time of (relative) quiet–after the holidays, or when the kids go back to school.
Exfoliate Regularly
A baby's skin replenishes itself completely every 14 days, but by age 30, an adult takes a full 28 days to replenish. Use a gentle face scrub, once or twice a week, and a chemical exfoliate, which dissolves the glue that holds dead skin cells in place–on two other days of the week.