5 skin care tips from a dermatologist

The best skin care comes from healthy living, but sometimes we all need help with those pesky blemishes and signs of aging. For those of us who want to make sure our skincare routine doesn’t interfere with our lifestyle, dermatologists are the go-to experts in skincare. Here are five helpful tips on skin care from one of our favorite dermatologists

1) Start with the basics

Skin is the body's largest organ, which covers the entire body. Skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer. The top layer, the epidermis, is composed of dead cells that are constantly replaced by new cells. In order to keep your skin looking healthy and fresh, it's important to keep this layer clean and hydrated with a good moisturizer. It's also important to avoid damaging your skin with harsh chemicals or abrasive soaps that can make you more susceptible to acne or wrinkles.

2) Keep your skin healthy by staying hydrated

Stay hydrated, drink water! Dehydration can lead to dry and flaky skin. When you drink water, you replenish your body with the fluids it needs to maintain healthy looking skin. You can also take steps like adding moisturizer to your daily routine or drinking a cup of green tea every day. These additional measures will go a long way in helping keep your skin looking its best.

3) Protect your skin from the sun

The sun's harmful rays can cause wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer. Protecting your skin is important to help prevent these problems. To protect your skin from the sun: 

1. Wear sunscreen every day, even if it's cloudy or you're indoors. Choose an SPF of 30 or higher that blocks both UVA and UVB rays (look for broad-spectrum on the label). Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every 2 hours, even if you're sweating or swimming. 

2. Wear clothing that covers as much of your body as possible and consider wearing wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses when outdoors.

4) Drink more water (yes you do!)

You may have heard this one before, but it's worth repeating: Drink more water! It's the simplest way to improve your skin and hydrate your body. To make sure you're drinking enough, set an alarm on your phone to remind you to drink for at least half an hour each day. You can also keep a water bottle with you at all times, so that when you feel thirsty or need a break from work, you have something nearby.

Additionally, try adding lemon juice to your water to give it some zing without adding too many calories or fat. A squeeze of citrus will not only add flavor but is also packed with healthy vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and potassium.

5) Don’t pick pimples, no matter how tempting.

Picking and popping pimples can seem like the easiest solution to an annoying, painful blemish, but it’s not. Picking at your acne can result in scarring and infection of the site. Not only that, but you’re just spreading bacteria to other areas of your face where you don’t want pimples. What you should do instead is leave your hands off. If your skin feels dry or tight, try applying some moisturizer or petroleum jelly to help soften the area before bedtime. This will also help keep moisture in the pore and prevent any irritation from happening due to over-washing or scrubbing too hard with a washcloth.