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Five easy tips to give your skin that holiday glow year round

Ever wonder how someone gets that glow to their skin?  Did you know there are things you can do daily at home to improve the appearance of your skin?  Here are five tips that I recommend to my patients at SkinCare Physicians in Boston. They will get you on the right track to better looking skin in no time.

 #1 Wash your face twice daily with a mild cleanser and moisturize well.  Oftentimes people will use harsh face scrubs and astringents to cleanse the skin.  This can cause irritation and dryness, giving your skin a dull appearance.  Using a gentle cleanser to wash away the oils and environmental toxins will leave the skin looking and feeling fresh.  Moisturizers are also important and should contain ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid which attract and hold water in the skin, plumping the cells to give them a more youthful appearance.

#2 Apply sunscreen every morning, at least 20 minutes before leaving the house.  Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of premature aging.  Sunscreen, particularly a broad spectrum one with an SPF factor of 30 or higher, is one of the most effective ways to prevent wrinkling and sun damage.

#3 Get into the habit of using a topical retinoid or retinol product every evening.  Retinoids  (such as Retin-A, Renova, and tretinoin) are prescription Vitamin A creams that have been shown to decrease fine lines and wrinkles, improve dyspigmentation and give the skin a brighter appearance.  For those patients that cannot tolerate retinoids, then over-the counter products containing retinol can be used. To learn more about the benefits

#4 Add a hydroxy acid such as glycolic acid to your regimen.  Glycolic acid in the form of a cleanser, lotion, or chemical peel in your dermatologist’s office will remove older skin cells (exfoliation) and make the skin appear brighter, softer and younger.  There are also other over-the-counter cosmeceuticals, such as botanicals, peptides and antioxidants, which can improve the appearance of your skin.

#5 Eat a healthy diet, do not smoke and avoid excessive sun exposure.   Although no studies have clearly illustrated that certain foods cause acne or aging of the skin, eating a healthy balanced diet is good for overall health.  In addition to ultraviolet radiation, cigarette smoking is known to cause premature aging of the skin.  Just another reason to make quitting smoking a priority!

By following these easy at-home tips you will be on your way to glowing, more youthful skin in no time! For more advice contact your dermatologist or SkinCare Physicians near Boston.

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