If it's so darned easy, why does it have to be so hard? It's because we get lazy. (*sob) This was my weekend in a nutshell: Eschewing my SPF = check. Picking mercilessly at an ingrown hair = check. Spending the days teeter-tottering between gorging myself on burnt orange gelato and slothing around on the deck = check. And consistently choosing lavender soda pop over a nice glass of H20 = check.

Despite all of the cosmetic potions and treatments available in this blessedly modern age, our skin doesn't really ask for all that much, so why would I treat myself and my skin so poorly (porely?) I blame one of my seven deadly friends for this weekend of misadventure, however the truth is that it's entirely of my doing and (*sigh) perhaps a little basic skincare refresher is in order.

So heads up. Prevention magazine (while most assuredly watching me from beyond and shaking a head in disappointment) is prepared to "refresh" with a recently published article reviewing the simple basics we can do every day to stay healthy and beautiful, aptly titled, "Defy Your Age." And since we all love a little defiance - let's do it!

I DON'T LIKE YOUR TONE

One big tell-tale sign of aging is easy to spot, namely spots, redness and uneven pigmentation. Sure we've all experienced 'tone' trauma, most likely evidence of sins past, but why add to the problem? I always say the best way to get out of a hole is to stop digging… and by digging I mean literally digging into your delicate dermis with harsh scrubs, fingers picking away at clogged pores and allowing your skin to take the full-brunt of the suns penetrating rays.


Put down the shovels! Harsh scrubs can actually do more damage to the dermis than good, contributing to uneven pigmentation as your poor dermis attempts to heal itself from the cheese-grater-like damage of that 'exfoliating walnut scrub' (Ouch.) No, it will not exfoliate you into looking minus-10 years, so stop it. Exfoliation needs to be gentle, like possibly jojoba bead scrubs or even Dr. facilitated lasers and peels. Less is usually more.

That goes for my fellow pickers out there, too. I know how tempting it can be to pick away at an ingrown hair or pimple, freeing the follicle or icky-stuff trapped inside. But for heavens sake, it's time we showed a little restraint. All that picking can and probably will lead to post-inflammatory pigmentation and scarring. (Sadly, this is experience speaking. Sorry follicle.)

And it's not just your phalanges and that ultra-powered scrub that's causing your dermis distress - smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol and defiantly (read: lazily) facing outdoor rays without sunblock are just as bad for your skin as… well… as you are. There, I've said it. Now you know what to do. Put down that cigar (tee-hee) and heavy duty scrub, slather on the SPF and put down that 3rd cocktail in favor of a nice, cool glass of H2O.

TEXTURE VEX-ER



It's not just unceasing spots that had Lady Macbeth all a-buzz. Sagging, wrinkling and rough patches give away just as much age-info as red, uneven pigmentation, so if you want to avoid this triumvirate of terror, best revisit the virtues of sun protection. Those same rays that create sun spots also weaken the skins supportive structure, leading to creepy, crepiness and a rough texture. The good folks at Prevention remind us that we can spend a fortune later trying to firm up your mistreated complexion, or we can invest a little scratch now on sunscreen and avoid that issues. (Their logic is hitting us where it hurts - our shoe budget.) And speaking of investing, a good pair of large lens sunglasses will also help protect the delicate skin around the eyes while preventing you from squinting.

Oh... and that endless cycle of dieting/ indulging that you've (read: me) been playing at for years. That also leads to a less-than-firm complexion merely because your skin's elasticity ceases to be able to bounce back. (*sob.) Learn when you're hungry, when you're not and how to make good food choices and then act accordingly. Your skin will thank you.

BODY BEAUTIFUL BASICS

The spotlight is often on your glorious facial visage, but that's not the only part of you that needs a little basic care - your body has skin too! And that skin has needs.


Water, water, water, moisturizer, water. Prevention and (myself) can't stress enough the importance of hydration. Dry skin is a sure fire sign hinting at your true age. Drink plenty of H20. (Add a lemon or cucumber slice, if you must. Just get it down.), moisturize like your life depended on it (it does) and try to take shorter, cooler baths and showers (remember, hot water is dehydrating to the skin.)

Keeping your muscles toned is another great way for you to defiantly face down Father Time. Strength training and aerobic exercise is the one-two power-punch of creating muscle tone, making your skin look taut and toned and tantalizing.

And since we only hear (comprehend) about 30% of what we have communicated to us at any given time… I'm gonna hit this a third time: SPF. Slather it on bare as the day you were born (read: fresh out of the shower) and you'll be sure that you haven't missed any spots, like the all important chest, hands and neck. We'll not have those areas telling any tales!

Consider this a PSA from Project Beauty and Prevention. Subtle? No. Handy? Yes. My shovel is now officially retired.