Skincare Tips
Not
all models have naturally amazing skin. In fact, some models need to do a lot
work on their complexion to stay beautiful. Without exception, models need to
learn a great deal about skin care to stay beautiful and lengthen their
careers as long as possible.
There are some very simple general rules when it comes to looking after your
skin. These are detailed below with full descriptions. But there are plenty of
other solutions that can help your skin, and many of them can be done at home
with the simplest of ingredients. Check out our
home remedies
page for more info.
Many models are fanatical about protecting their skin - not everyone needs to be extreme, but knowing successful models' skincare tips can be a real help. Sticking to these rules will keep your skin healthy and your complexion clear.
Keep out of the Sun
In Asia its common to see women walking down the street under parasols, in perfect sunshine. The reason is that they know the several, damaging effects that the sun can have on their skin. Models also try hard to keep their skin out of the sun, and on the occasions that they need a tan, they usually get it out of a bottle.
As
your skin ages, a process that is accelerated by the sun, it becomes thinner and
loses fat. Not only does it look less plump and smooth, underlying structures
like bones and veins become more prominent. Older skin is not just about
wrinkles, it also means that your skin just looks tired.
Secondly, the UV rays in sunlight damage fibers in your skin called Elastin. Why does this matter? Well, as its name suggests, Elastin is what give the skin its elasticity and allows it to snap back into shape. Hence, when you lose your Elastin your skin becomes saggy and wrinkled, the biggest giveaway of older skin.
Lastly, premature aging caused by the sun can reduce the ability of your skin to sweat. No bad thing you might think, but sweat actually plays a role in hydrating your skin. Less sweat equals drier skin, which can accelerate the aging process even further.
So, if you have to go in the sun, make sure you wear sunscreen. The sun is the most common cause of prematurely aged skin. There are no effective treatments available to reverse these effects, although regular moisturising will slow them down. Its an obvious point, but you really only have one skin, so if you want it to last a lifetime you'd better take care of it!
Don't smoke
You can quite often tell just by looking at someone whether they smoke or not. Tiny wrinkles around the mouth, a thin upper lip and slightly yellow, off-color skin are the giveaways. Smoking is one of the most damaging things you can do to yourself, and your body makes no attempt to hide it.
Similarly to sun aging, smoking reduces the elasticity of your skin. It has been found that smokers as young as 20 years old are already developing wrinkles that their non-smoking peers aren't. In addition, the heat of the cigarette itself dries out the skin around your mouth, giving those telltale wrinkles on the upper lip.
The good news is that damage from smoking can be completely stopped, the second that you quit. Some of the damage can even be reversed, as the skin recovers and starts to repair itself. So if you need encouragement to stop, just remind yourself that wrinkle-free skin might just be the reward!
Drink lots of water
Water
is a natural body cleanser and can do wonders for your complexion, but it is
also an important element in keeping your skin young and beautiful. Be one of
the few people to drink the recommended 8 glasses of water per day and you will
notice your skin looking rejuvenated and younger.
When your skin dries out it becomes less elastic and more prone to wrinkles. It also makes it more susceptible to damage from the sun or from smoke. All this means that it is extremely important to keep your skin hydrated all the time, so that it can protect itself against the world.
One excellent option is Evian bottle spray, found in any pharmacy. As well as applying a layer of water to your skin, it also gives your skin that priceless 'dewy' look. This is especially important for low humidity days in winter, and is a favorite tip of many celebrity makeup artists.
Moisturize
The best way to keep your skin hydrated is to drink lots of water but, failing that, moisturisers are very helpful too. The night moisturisers are an excellent choice as they can work for hours without being rubbed or sweated off.
One thing to remember - if you spend all this money on excellent moisturizers for your face, you have to do the same for your neck and hands. If you've ever seen a middle-aged woman with the complexion of a 40 year old but the hands of a 60 year old, you'll know exactly what I mean.
Another way to keep your skin healthy to to shower with lukewarm water. Hot water can strip the natural oils from your body and leave your skin dry and defenceless.
Stay away from alcohol
We all know that alcohol can dehydrate your skin, leaving it red or blotchy both during drinking and in the morning. But drinking also has longer term effects on your skin.
Drinking alcohol tends to permanently enlarge the blood vessels near the skin's surface, causing itchiness, uneven tone and red spots. If you've ever seen the skin of a long-term alcoholic, you'll recognise exactly this redness.