From fighting acne decades past puberty to scoffing at the first signs of wrinkles, it’s hard to win the good-skin game. But before cursing your genes, ask yourself whether your skincare routine and lifestyle habits are up to par. And by that we don’t mean clocking hours in front of the mirror or stealing your girlfriend’s fancy facial products. There’s no need for five-step peels or expensive serums, says Howard Sobel, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist. Layering on too many products can actually irritate skin. The key is washing and moisturizing every day and following a few other maintenance basics, he says. Check out Sobel’s do’s and don’ts for a fresher looking face.
1. Do Think about wrinkles early
Even if you’re still getting ID-ed at the bar, adding a retinol cream to your daily routine in your 20s will help stave off fine lines and wrinkles down the road. Plus, retinol boosts cell growth and collagen production, which improves the tone of even non-wrinkled skin.
Since the wrinkle-fighting ingredient makes skin more sensitive to the sun, use it at night. Simplify your routine by picking a product that combines retinol with a moisturizer, suggests Sobel.
2. Do Lather Up
A splash of cold water does more than wake you up. A good cleanse helps slough away dead skin cells that stick together and make your face look dull. Use a wash with glycolic acid, both in the morning and before bed, advises Sobel. For a deeper clean that also stimulates the growth of new skin cells, wash with an exfoliating scrub once or twice a week. Just don’t overdo it—cut back if skin starts to get red or irritated.
3. Don't Forger Moisturizer
Lotion should be an automatic step two after cleansing. Apply moisturizer when skin is still slightly damp to help seal in moisture, suggests Sobel. Most face lotions are oil-based, which work well for guys with normal skin—and they’re a must for dry or flaky skin. If you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts, look for a water-based product.
4. Do Stay Hydrated
Lotion is only half of the hydration equation—skin needs moisture from the inside out, too, says Sobel, who suggests drinking six to eight glasses of H2O a day. Also keep tabs on how much alcohol and caffeine you’re gulping down. Both can make you dehydrated, but drinking coffee or booze along with food and water can help counter the dehydrating effects.
1. Do Think about wrinkles early
Even if you’re still getting ID-ed at the bar, adding a retinol cream to your daily routine in your 20s will help stave off fine lines and wrinkles down the road. Plus, retinol boosts cell growth and collagen production, which improves the tone of even non-wrinkled skin.
Since the wrinkle-fighting ingredient makes skin more sensitive to the sun, use it at night. Simplify your routine by picking a product that combines retinol with a moisturizer, suggests Sobel.
2. Do Lather Up
A splash of cold water does more than wake you up. A good cleanse helps slough away dead skin cells that stick together and make your face look dull. Use a wash with glycolic acid, both in the morning and before bed, advises Sobel. For a deeper clean that also stimulates the growth of new skin cells, wash with an exfoliating scrub once or twice a week. Just don’t overdo it—cut back if skin starts to get red or irritated.
3. Don't Forger Moisturizer
Lotion should be an automatic step two after cleansing. Apply moisturizer when skin is still slightly damp to help seal in moisture, suggests Sobel. Most face lotions are oil-based, which work well for guys with normal skin—and they’re a must for dry or flaky skin. If you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts, look for a water-based product.
4. Do Stay Hydrated
Lotion is only half of the hydration equation—skin needs moisture from the inside out, too, says Sobel, who suggests drinking six to eight glasses of H2O a day. Also keep tabs on how much alcohol and caffeine you’re gulping down. Both can make you dehydrated, but drinking coffee or booze along with food and water can help counter the dehydrating effects.