BEAUTY TIPS

Maintaining healthy, radiant skin isn't rocket science, but it does require a bit of smarts. For one thing, when it comes to your complexion, the lifestyle choices you make from day to day are just as important as sticking to your daily skin-care regimen.

Beautiful skin starts with healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, and not smoking. Beyond those basics, here’s a quick list of simple strategies that’ll help keep your skin at its best.

1. Wash your face
Facial cleansing is a simple task, but there are a few rules to follow:

• Make sure your hands are clean before you begin.
• Use lukewarm (not hot) water and a mild cleanser.
• Gently rub the cleanser into your face using circular motions.
• Give your face a mini massage to promote circulation.
• Rinse well to make sure all soap residue is gone, especially around your eyes, nose, and hairline.
• Finish with a splash of cool water to refresh skin and close pores.
• Pat (don’t rub) skin dry, but do leave a bit of moisture behind.

2. Moisturize
When it comes to moisturizing, timing is everything, so start slathering immediately after washing your face or bathing to seal moisture into your skin. Daily moisturizing not only helps prevent dryness, it’ll also help plump up your skin, thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When it comes to choosing products, opt for one extra-gentle moisturizer made just for your face and another for your body, plus an eye cream or serum for the sensitive area around the eyes. In general, choose the formula that’s right for you, but do look for ingredients like a high sun protection factor (SPF), humectants (like glycerin or urea) that absorb water from the air and seal in moisture, and antioxidants to help fight against the effects of pollution and sun damage. Opt for noncomedogenic, fragrance-free moisturizers that won’t clog your pores or irritate your skin. Remember, expensive moisturizers are not necessarily better than drugstore brands; it’s often the fancy fragrance and pretty packaging that bump up the price.

3. Sun protection
With more than a million cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the United States each year, everyone needs to practice year-round sun protection. And we’re not just talking about direct sunlight or hot summer sun. Up to 80 percent of ultraviolet rays can pass through clouds or are reflected off snow, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). And don’t think you’re safe from sun exposure just because you’re indoors. While window glass blocks the UVB light that causes sunburns, UVA rays can still penetrate and damage your skin, eventually contributing to wrinkles, brown spots, and potentially skin cancer. So while slathering on sunscreen every couple of hours may seem like a drag, protecting your skin — and your health — is worth the effort. Just as with moisturizers, it’s wise to choose a sunscreen specifically designed for the face and another for the body. Buy products with an SPF of 15 or higher (some dermatologists recommend 30 or higher) and look for the words “broad-spectrum UV coverage” on the label. Always apply your sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside, and be sure to reapply it every two hours, as well as after swimming or sweating.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, along with washing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin from the sun will help keep your skin in great condition from head to toe. For more simple strategies to protect and pamper your skin, check out Daily Glow’s The Basics.