Beauty Tips: 5 Things That Age You

Dull Complexion

How to make your dull complexion into a healthy one? Washing your face. You’d be amazed at how many women I talk to who say they are “too tired” to wash their face at night. I honestly don’t think I could sleep if I didn’t wash my face before bed. Dead skin cells accumulate on the surface and block your fancy moisturizers and anti-aging creams, which make you look – guess what? – older. And maybe I’m OCD, but the thought of all that yucky pollution and stale office air attaching to my face – just squatting on my pores all night?  Blech! I can’t wash my face fast enough.

Courtesy of Google Images

Dark spots

Ah, the sun. So bright, so friendly. Beckoning us outside, flirting and winking at our windows. How many years have I answered its seductive call, lying outside with my face upturned, its warm embrace making me conveniently forget that oh, yeah, this could KILL ME.

Maybe at one time the sun was our friend. But now the cute little puppy has grown into a big, bad wolf and will rip your face off. Just because it can.

Not only does the sun cause skin cancer (BAD dog) but UV rays trigger an overproduction of melanin and is just as aging as wrinkles. Awesome.

“Sunspots” look like one big freckle that is symmetrical and all one color. (SEE YOUR DOCTOR if you spot a freckle or mole that is asymmetrical with irregular borders and changes color.) Solution? Lightening agents like kojic acid, arbutin, emblica or hydroquinone can even out your skin tone. And ladies? Wear sunscreen.

Dry skin

This time of year is brutal on your skin. Flaky, blotchy, scaly skin? Not sexy. Moisturize. For acne-prone skin, use a light, noncomedogenic lotion. And I hate to say this, but overloading on carbs and sweets can damage your skin, too. I know, I know – it’s winter, what else are you supposed to do? But excess sugar binds to proteins, which results in damage to elastin and collagen. Eat your veggies and stay hydrated.

Puffy eye bags and dark circles

Much like the creepy Grady twins from The Shining, these two skin plagues usually come together. But there is hope (for your skin, not for the Grady twins). Puffy eyes are usually caused by the following: Not enough sleep, how you sleep, and what you sleep on. Get at least seven hours of sleep a night. Sleep on your back with your head elevated. And get rid of that nasty pillow from college. Why? Because it is 80% dust mite poop. That’s right. You’re sleeping on poop. Still puffy? Use an eye treatment with roller ball applicator (try Olay Regenerist Anti Aging Eye Roller).

Dark circles occur naturally in aging when the under eye area darkens from a loss of fat stores. But if you are in your twenties or thirties and you have dark circles, they are caused by three things: genetics, allergies, and yo-yo dieting. If it’s genetic, as in my case (Thanks, Cherokee heritage! Grrr), the only solution is laser treatment. So I will be accepting donations, thankyouverymuch. Allergies? Stop yourself from rubbing your eyes, take allergy meds and don’t sleep on dust mite poop. Yo-yo dieting is bad for your health, period – and that includes your complexion. Eat healthy and exercise regularly.

Be happy and youthful, ladies! (Or at least look youthful).