Walking down the beauty aisle is confusing enough, but what about when you are at a store like Sephora or ULTA? Even I get confused!
If you want to improve your skin, here is some simple advice
- Take care of it. Okay, this isn't earth shattering news here. Your skin is an organ, so you need to take care of it like you would your heart or lungs. Protect it with moisturizer and a sunblock. Drink water to keep it — and the rest of your body — hydrated. Make healthy food choices and watch your sugar intake.
- If you are starting to notice a few small lines, add glycolic or salacyclic acid to your skin care routine. Regular exfoliation is a great way to turn over skin cells and produce more collagen.
- If you are worried about deeper lines, consider using Retin-A (not to be confused with retinol). You will need a prescription for Retin-A, which is considered the gold standard in skin care. Retinol is derived from retinoic acid and takes a bit longer to actually work. However, there are some very good ones on the market and they're easier to obtain since it's available over the counter.
- Have you ever tried a Clarisonic? I'm not a huge fan, but apparently someone is! They come in every size and color, complete with cute names like Mia and Aria. Basically, the brush rotates to effectively clean your skin. Why am I not a fan? Bacteria can harbor in the brush. If you have acne or a viral infection on your skin, you could potentially reinfect your face every time you use the brush. Follow instructions on how to keep the brush clean and buy replacements — just like a toothbrush.
- I'm a huge fan of microdermabrasion and the home devices are getting better all the time. A good one can cost about $200, but professional microderms can cost that in one visit! Splurge and purchase one for yourself, but make sure that you use it. It won't help you if it just sits in the box.