Make Your Skin Look Younger
Testers in a study from the University of Göttingen in Germany estimated that people whose discoloration was digitally removed from photos were five years younger than their true age. When wrinkles were also smoothed, they guessed a 15-year age drop.
Luckily, our plans can help you remove your biggest age markers such as spots, lines and dullness. So by your next birthday, you can have your youngest-looking skin in years!
Overall dullness
Banishing dullness couldn’t be easier — or offer more instant gratification. SELF found advice that will have you seeing the light.
Exfoliate weekly. Radiance starts with sloughing off dead skin cells. “The cellular turnover cycle that was 28 days in your youth will expand to close to 35 days by your 40s,” says Ellen Marmur, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. Because new skin equals younger-looking skin, your goal is to speed things up. Sensitive types can try a night moisturizer with alpha hydroxy acids. For normal skin, try a stronger salicylic acid peel or a microdermabrasion kit; use either once a week only.
Get dewy skin. Right after you exfoliate is the best time to hydrate. “Your skin’s outer layers make or break your glow factor — if yours are dry, they won’t allow light in,” says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a dermatologist in Boston. Use a serum with humectants such as hyaluronic acid daily. For extra-dry skin, look for proteins or linoleic acid (in StriVectin Facial Anti-oxidant, $109), which will plump up skin. Follow with sunblock — derms warn that nothing destroys radiance more than sun exposure.
Breathe and relax. “Chronic stress can produce hormones that damage the skin, robbing it of many of the nutrients it needs to look healthy, and dullness can be the result,” Dr. Hirsch says. Sleep deprivation and crash diets do the same. Test different forms of stress relief to find what works for you.
Testers in a study from the University of Göttingen in Germany estimated that people whose discoloration was digitally removed from photos were five years younger than their true age. When wrinkles were also smoothed, they guessed a 15-year age drop.
Luckily, our plans can help you remove your biggest age markers such as spots, lines and dullness. So by your next birthday, you can have your youngest-looking skin in years!
Overall dullness
Banishing dullness couldn’t be easier — or offer more instant gratification. SELF found advice that will have you seeing the light.
Exfoliate weekly. Radiance starts with sloughing off dead skin cells. “The cellular turnover cycle that was 28 days in your youth will expand to close to 35 days by your 40s,” says Ellen Marmur, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. Because new skin equals younger-looking skin, your goal is to speed things up. Sensitive types can try a night moisturizer with alpha hydroxy acids. For normal skin, try a stronger salicylic acid peel or a microdermabrasion kit; use either once a week only.
Get dewy skin. Right after you exfoliate is the best time to hydrate. “Your skin’s outer layers make or break your glow factor — if yours are dry, they won’t allow light in,” says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a dermatologist in Boston. Use a serum with humectants such as hyaluronic acid daily. For extra-dry skin, look for proteins or linoleic acid (in StriVectin Facial Anti-oxidant, $109), which will plump up skin. Follow with sunblock — derms warn that nothing destroys radiance more than sun exposure.
Breathe and relax. “Chronic stress can produce hormones that damage the skin, robbing it of many of the nutrients it needs to look healthy, and dullness can be the result,” Dr. Hirsch says. Sleep deprivation and crash diets do the same. Test different forms of stress relief to find what works for you.
