Six Tips for Healthier, Better Looking Skin

At Valley View Dermatology, we believe that every patient can have healthy, great looking skin. Whether through the use of the latest acne or microdermabrasion treatments, we help patients restore their skin back to health and revitalize their appearance. Of course, patients can also help protect the health and appearance of their skin at home, as well. To keep your skin looking great, here are a few easy tips to erase the signs of aging and boost the overall health of your skin.

Wash Up Before Bed

The majority of dermatologists agree that the best time of day to wash your face is right before bedtime. Makeup, bacteria, and dirt that have accumulated on your face over the course of the day can irritate the skin when left on overnight, leading to clogged pores and potential breakouts. To remove this layer of unwanted grime, gently wash your face right before hitting the sack. A proper cleaning should leave your face feeling pleasantly taught for about 10 minutes following the cleaning. Washing prior to bed also allows anti-aging skin care products to better penetrate into your pores and provide better results.

The amount of oil your skin produces changes as hormones begin to fluctuate in a woman’s 40s. Washing your face twice a day can lead to a dried out complexion and make wrinkles appear more pronounced. Try splashing some warm water on your face in the morning to refresh skin instead of fully washing.

Mind the Sun

For those wanting younger-looking skin, no one habit makes a bigger difference than wearing sunscreen – preferably SPF 30 – daily. Just 10 minutes exposure a day to the sun’s “aging” UVA rays can cause sunspots and wrinkles to develop in as little as three months. If you don’t use a moisturizer that contains a built-in sunscreen of at least 30 SPF, make sure to apply one that provides both UVB and UVA protection daily.

Handle Stress

Studies have shown that emotional stresses can leave your skin looking five years older than your actual age. Frequent bouts of anxiety cause your body to ramp up the production of the hormone cortisol, which leads to increased inflammation that breaks down collagen. Cortisol can also cause acne flare-ups and facial redness, as well.

To decrease inflammation, add more foods rich in antioxidants such as asparagus, oranges, and berries to your diet. They don’t call them frown lines for no reason. The next time you’re feeling stressed, take a few minutes to calm yourself with some deep breathing and relax.

Trying Using a Retinoid

Research has found that vitamin-A derivatives like those used in retinoid skin care products help to improve cell regeneration and collagen growth to smooth wrinkles and fine lines and cause brown spots to fade away. Prescription strength retinoid products like Renova offer quick results, typically producing noticeable changes in just 30 days. To help your skin compensate for any peeling and redness, just apply a small drop to your face every third night until your skin has developed enough tolerance to use nightly. While non-prescription strength retinoids are less abrasive, it can take several months before results become noticeable.

Change Your Daily Routine

Changing up your daily skin care regimen at least once every six to 12 months can help you achieve better results in texture and tone. Consistently using the same skin care products nightly causes your skin to adapt, making those products less effective. To keep your skin ready for rejuvenation, make subtle switches like replacing a prescription retinoid with a cream containing alpha hydroxyl acids, instead.

Add Omega-3s to Your Diet

This type of “good fat” found in foods like almonds, flaxseed, and salmon helps to boost hydration, which keeps your skin looking firm and supple. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of saturated fats found in meat and dairy products that actually increase the damage caused by free-radicals, making skin more susceptible to damage. Try limiting that amount of saturated fat you eat daily to about 17 grams.

If you have any questions call us at Valley View Dermatology, we want to be your Salem dermatologist of choice!

9 Comments

  1. Penelope Smith on December 14, 2018 at 5:31 am

    My skin always has problems in the winter, and I can’t figure out why that is. I liked that you explained that I should maybe check my daily routine to see if there is a reason there why I am skin issues. It might also be smart for me to go see a dermatologist about this.



  2. Dr Chong Clinic on December 18, 2018 at 11:44 am

    Great post! These are some good basic tips that most people often forget about. Thanks for sharing this!



  3. Millie Hue on January 10, 2019 at 12:31 am

    Thanks for helping me understand that the best time to wash the face is before going to sleep to remove the bacteria and dirt buildup. I guess this is what I lacked since I sleep immediately when I get home because of how tired I get due to heavy traffic and stress at work. Now, I need to see a dermatologist since my skin is already having a breakout.



  4. Rosie Beckett on February 1, 2019 at 9:30 pm

    I am thinking about seeing a dermatologist and before I go I want to make sure that I am already keeping my skin as clean and healthy as possible, so I appreciate the tips you give in this article. You make a great point that it is important to wear sunscreen or a moisturizer with built-in sunscreen. Also, it makes sense that you say to try out different skin care products so that I can find products that are most effective for my skin.



  5. Camille Devaux on February 19, 2019 at 11:04 pm

    My sister is thinking about going to a cosmetic dermatologist. She is interested in learning a little more about the ways that she can also help her skin after the surgery. It might be useful for her to know that changing her daily skin care routine every 6 months will help.



  6. Peg Alfutis on March 12, 2019 at 1:15 am

    Maybe it’s because I’m a creature of habit, but trying to remember and plan for switching up my daily care regimen every so often has always been the hardest one for me. Another good tip that I think is easy to forget is to take especially good care and/or modify your skin care routine when you travel. I live and work in Poughskeepie but when I go to visit my son in Colorado, it feels like I have to pack an entire extra bag of moisturizers to compensate for the dry air out there.



  7. Bob on March 28, 2019 at 10:50 pm

    I love your skin cancer tips! I don’t have skin cancer, but I don’t want to get it now. I’ll have to wear sunscreen.



  8. Skylar Williams on October 8, 2019 at 7:55 pm

    I like that you mentioned that stress can lead to acne. I’ve noticed that I’ve had a lot of acne recently and I’m an adult. I’ll be sure to check out my stress levels but I may need to see a dermatologist too.



  9. skin dermatologist on October 26, 2019 at 4:21 pm

    Great Tips! Thanks for sharing.



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