Smooth Skin is In: Softer skin is on the way

Of course, you must always keep in mind the golden rule: always wear sunscreen when you'll be in the sun for a long period of time. Says freelance health writer Hope McPherson, "The American Cancer Society advises using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, avoiding sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and tightly woven clothing." In other words, don't pull a "Oh, I won't get too burned..." Scary stat: by the time you're eighteen, your skin has already suffered 78% of its total lifetime sun damage. Makes you think twice about going to the beach minus the sunscreen...

If you've always wondered how those models can walk around with such fresh-looking skin, don't pull out a dartboard just yet. You, too, can achieve a glowing look. Here's how: First and foremost, always start with a good night's sleep. Before hitting the sheets, apply a gentle cleanser that removes old makeup and heals dry skin, yet keeps in moisture, (we love Philosophy's Purity Made Simple). When you're in the mood to cruise in the morning, apply the moisturizer, then use foundation in a light motion, with a little makeup sponge or your fingertips. Next, carefully apply translucent powder around eyes and to cover any uncanny blemishes.

Let's dig a little deeper into the obvious. If you're itching for that fresh-skin look, step away from the cigarettes. According to some of the country's best dermatologists, it contributes to wrinkling and skin discoloration. Two qualities we hope you don't want to endure. "Get into the habit now of drinking at least three large glasses of water a day. There's not a bit of proof that certain foods cause acne," says Dr. Nia Terezakis, who specializes in skin-related problems. She continues, "But, a healthy diet does make a difference: skin mirrors what's going on inside the body."
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Okay, so you hear that moisturizer is the way to sway. But, with the mass of lotions lurking in the drugstore, how do you decide? And more, how do you afford it? "You don't need separate lotions for different parts of the body, and you need not spend a lot of money for a good moisturizer," says Dr. Nelson Lee Novick, an associate clinical professor of dermatology in New York. "That's marketing, not medicine," he explains. It's also been proven that what may work for you may not work for your best friend -- shop around, and soon, you'll find the perfect gloss.

In order to achieve skin that lacks dryness, change your bathing habits, according to Karen Schmidt, a freelance health writer. "Take shorter and less frequent showers or baths and use warm, not hot, water. Also, because soap dries out skin, lather up only in odor-producing parts of the body."

If all else fails, and you still have to deal with that dry-as-a-desert skin, as always, see your dermatologist. They may have some special products for your type of skin, and soon enough, you'll be slicker than a car dealer, (but a heck-of-a-lot better looking). Good luck!