Better Skin in 1 Month: The New Beauty Challenge

2013 is almost here, and there’s no better time to get serious about skincare. You may be on the quest to find the fountain of youth, but—since there’s no magic cure—it may be wiser to spend your time making beneficial lifestyle changes that will protect your skin and prevent premature aging.

Even the most die-hard skincare junkies can use a lesson in the fundamentals of great skin, so pay attention to the following tips and incorporate them into your routine for beautiful skin. If you’re diligent about properly caring for your skin, there is no doubt that your complexion won’t be better off in a month.

1. Establish a skincare regimen.

Many skincare and makeup products are designed for specific complexion types. When you use appropriate products for your skin, your complexion will receive the proper levels of hydration, oil control and exfoliation to make it naturally beautiful and radiant. A thorough skincare regimen includes a cleanser, toner, exfoliant, eye cream and moisturizer.

2. Understand your skin’s needs.

As the seasons and years change, so should your skincare. The warmer months call for more oil control with a lighter moisturizer. Cold winter months can cause the skin to beg for additional hydration from a richer moisturizer and, sometimes, the addition of a protective cream. Additional products like serums and masks can be added to the mix to give your skin the royal treatment and target concerns like acne, fine lines, age spots and loss of firmness.

3. Be patient with products.

Rome couldn’t be built in a day, and neither can flawless skin. In an age when instant gratification lays just a click away, it can be easy to lose patience with products if they don’t perform instantly. Truthfully, some products can take a month or more to show results, but that doesn’t mean they don’t work. Moreover, switching products too quickly can lead to increased irritation and breakouts, so remember to be patient.

4. Exfoliate regularly.

This is one of the most underused and sometimes over-abused steps in any skincare regimen. Generally speaking, those with dry skin should exfoliate 1 to 2 times per week with a gentle scrub to slough off dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to acne. Those with oily skin can exfoliate 2 to 3 times per week with a scrub. In either case, if the skin has active acne, it’s more advisable to use a chemical exfoliant, like Glycolic Acid, to refresh the surface of the skin without irritating abrasives.

Remember to strike a healthy balance in the number of times you exfoliate, and save this step for the evening when the skin regenerates more rapidly.

5. Apply products properly.

The products you use are equally as important as the method you use to apply them.

Keep your skin well cared for with these 5 Complexion Commandments:

• Always use gentle, upward and outward motions when cleansing.
• Avoid rubbing or tugging on the skin when drying.
• Apply eye cream to the orbital bone with the ring finger, which is gentlest.
• Use only products formulated for the delicate eye area in that region.
• Extend your skincare regimen to include often forgotten areas like the neck, hands and decolletage.

6. Eat for beautiful skin.

There’s truth to the phrase, “Beauty comes from within.” It’s important to feed your skin internally with a healthy diet of omega-3s, vitamins, minerals, and proteins, all of which are essential for overall health. In addition, drink enough water to stay hydrated.

7. Be active.

Nothing can compare to the beautiful, natural glow brought on by doing the things you love. Whether it be exercise, meditation, singing or just plain goofing around with your best friends, it’s important to stay active to combat stress. Chronic stress causes an elevation in the hormone cortisol, which degrades Collagen, one of the building blocks of firm, youthful-looking skin.

Follow these seven steps to give your skin the chance to look better and well cared for in the New Year and always.

Wishing you a wonderful 2013!

xo Sara