tips for great skin

I’ve got tips for great skin that I’ve used over 50 years. Now at the young age of 73, I know they work! I’m sharing some secrets with you!

How to Get Great Skin

I’m lucky to have good genes. Without getting real scientific or technical, I think good genes are the foundation or blueprint for what goes on in your life as you age.

Now how you handle your life, as in choices you make in regards to living, yes, and that includes your emotional/psychological constitution, all weigh in on how we age and our quality of life.

Having lived a while, these are just my 10 ways to better skin.

Glowing Skin Secrets

More than once I’ve been told that I have great skin. I even once won a contest at the age of 44, wow, that was really young, sponsored by Oil of Olay, called “I Keep Getting Better”—sent in a photo, wrote a brief essay on why I thought I was ‘getting better’ as I was ‘aging’.

Great skin doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a combination of investments of time, energy, money and making prudent choices throughout life. 

One simple thing that I do is supplement my diet with bone broth. Yes, it might sound crazy, but bone broth, and I’m talking the real deal stuff full of collagen and gelatins, is so helpful to your skin, nails and hair, not to mention your entire body. 

Bone Broth and Skin

That’s why I sip bone broth everyday! 

Younger Looking Skin

Then boom, I was in New York City doing a photo shoot for Ladies Home Journal magazine on two occasions! I’m sure my skin had something to do with that because I look at that photo today that I submitted, and I even see some really healthy skin.

In essence, I’m a pseudo ‘expert’ on skincare because my skin has stood the test of time. 

What Causes Facial Skin Wrinkles

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Wrinkles, a natural part of aging, are most prominent on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, neck, hands and forearms.

Although genetics mainly determine skin structure and texture, sun exposure is a major cause of wrinkles, especially for people with light skin. Pollutants and smoking also contribute to wrinkling.”

Best Skin Care Regime

So many ask me, what I use for my skin. Well, here your go. If you’d like to read more on my nighttime skincare routine, click here. Yes, I’m sharing my ‘secrets’! 

My primary skincare products are from PROVEN Skincare. Learn more about this company. I think it’s so different because the founders know that skincare is not a ‘one size fits all’. Everyone has different skin. Different needs. Circumstances. Concerns. And, this skincare line takes these things into account when formulating your skincare products Yes, it’s an individual approach! If you decide to purchase, please use ALLY99 at checkout for a deep discount. 

Eye Cream

OS 01 EYE TOPICAL SUPPLEMENT

Code: ALLY15

“The skin around your eyes has been shown to age faster than the rest of the skin with higher levels of cellular senescence.⁰¹ OS-01 EYE, our peptide eye cream, is formulated with the highest concentration of our OS-01 peptide to help target aging at the molecular level. This eye cream is designed to cater to the delicate eye area, providing targeted care and addressing the signs of aging where they matter most.”

One Skin

A few other products that I use and alternate throughout the 7 day week. Yes, you can decide which days you want to do what. But, for me, it’s every day, morning and evening.

OS-O1 Face

Expensive but, again, so worth it. And, since  you’re not using it every day, so it lasts longer. I use this three times a week applying it three times/week prior to my evening skincare. 

Per the website: “The first skin longevity treatment that extends skin health on the molecular level to address aging from within. Formulated for areas of your skin that are most exposed to environmental damage, including your face, hands, and neck.”

Prep Facial Cleanser

One Skin Prep Facial Cleanser

Code: ALLY15 

“PREP is a gentle daily facial cleanser that thoroughly removes impurities, light makeup, and sunscreen without disrupting skin’s natural barrier, so skin is ready to receive maximum benefit from the rest of your skin care routine. With its focus on a gentle cleanse that preserves the skin’s health, PREP sets the foundation for optimal moisture and a healthy complexion that is suitable for all skin types.” Source

SunScreen SunBlock

 I USE ONE SKIN’S OS 01 SHIELD PROTECT + REPAIR SPF 30+

Code: ALLY15

Why do I double up on SPF? I want to be doubly sure I’m protecting my skin, plus the ONE SKIN has five antioxidants in it and the OS-01 Senescence Blocking Peptide. 

Cleansing Buffer

Probably twice, maybe three times a week, in my shower, I’ll use this simple self-exfoliation battery operated gizmo on my face, neck, and decalage. It helps remove dead skin cells and I see more a of a glow in my skin. I do use the cleanser from Proven Skincare.  

How to Improve Skin Texture

It’s never too late to start taking better care of your skin and focusing on keeping it healthy. I mean your skin is the largest organ in your body, so it’s important to pay attention to it.

I’m really happy to give you some of my tips—maybe you already do some of these things, maybe not. I do believe these things work—it’s a slow steady ‘working’—you won’t see it overnight or instantly, but, in time, I believe you’ll notice subtle changes.

None of this seems to work individually—it’s a collective effort. So here you go! Some things I’ve luckily learned early in life and practiced for the past almost 50 years. 

Tips for Great Skin

Sun. Since about my early 20s, way before the damaging effects of the sun, those nasty UVA and UVB rays, was documented and advertised, I decided that my sun worshipping days were over.

Yes, I had been one of those 16 year old teens that baked in the sun, got nasty sunburns and blistered and peeled, and even slathered baby oil with iodine in it on myself and laid on aluminum foil ‘beds’ to get more baked and ‘gloriously’ tanned. Disgusting, huh? Thanks goodness, I saw the light!

How to Stay Young Looking

I wear sun block 365 days year. Yes, even on cloudy and rainy days. I put on a ball cap or wide brimmed hat when outdoors biking, walking, gardening and things like that. I’m a shade seeker—if we’re at an outdoor café put the umbrella up and give me some shade. If the umbrella’s up, I want the chair in the shady part of the table.

Tips for Beautiful Skin

Smoking. Yep, a huge culprit in prematurely aging the skin. For some reason, a stroke of luck in my life, I never had an urge to smoke. Oh, yes, I tried, but it just felt awkward—I mean I looked at others with smoke coming from their nostrils and thought that just doesn’t look appealing and even holding a cigarette made me feel like some kind of imposter.

Tips for Younger Looking Skin

And, keep in mind that I grew up during the era when smoking was cool—cigarette ads peppered the media and all the ‘beautiful’ people were puffing. Thank goodness to me it was totally unattractive and just looked like dragons blowing smoke from their nostrils! Plus, the smell~oh, not groovy.

Tips to Improve Complexion

I don’t think it’s ever too late to stop or cut back. Smoking takes its toll on your skin (and so many other things in your body). There’s plenty of science behind this—no need to go into it here—I suppose I’m vain—healthy vibrant beautiful skin is more important to me than the allure of the cigarette.

Clear Healthy Skin

Flushing toxins out of your body with water also helps everything run better inside—from circulation to hydration—gulp, gulp gulp. I even keep bubbly water beside my bed—yes, even during the night I’ll turn over, grab that bottle of bubbly (I prefer over ‘flat’ water.) and guzzle a few swigs.

Then throughout the day, I’ve got my bottled bubbly by my desk, in the kitchen, on my bike, when I’m walking—basically, most all the time ‘reminding’ me to drink drink drink.

Healthier Skin

We’re always shedding skin cells. Our face, neck and decollate are areas that benefit from a little buffing on a regular basis. Not only does it get rid of those dead cells but it stimulates the collagen production, which is a good thing. I use over-the-counter hand held battery operated facial buffers. I have one made by Neutrogena and another made by Oil of Olay.

Younger Looking Skin Tips

They’re kept in my shower and about four or more times a week, I’ll put a squeeze of some facial cleansing soap (very important because your facial/neck skin is delicate and body soaps aren’t the best) on them and give myself about a 3 minute or more facial—it’s gentle, only subtly ‘abrasive’ and my skin’s glowing when I step out of the shower!

Foods for Glowing Skin

Food. OK, this is another one that’s a big ‘given’ because of today’s media—you put junk and processed foods in your body on a regular basis, and your skin’s going to show the effects as much as your tush and waistline.

The vitamins and minerals that come from fresh vegetables, fruits and unprocessed foods directly impact the health of your body’s largest organ—your skin.

You can have your breads, pastas and sweets. You can have your meats. Just make sure you have double or triple the fruits, veggies and seafood.

Skin Health

Sleep. When I don’t get a good restful at least 7-8 hours sleep, boy it shows on my face! And, it’s reflected in my skin.

It just doesn’t have that ‘glow’—there’s almost a ‘grey’ish’ haze. Sleep is so important for the skin’s time to repair itself, so don’t burn that midnight oil—next day, you could very well show your age!

Why is Physical Fitness Important

Exercise. It seems like a given that you should know the immense benefits of exercise—everything from blood pressure, heart health to cholesterol levels.

But, if you aren’t aware, exercise is fabulous for your skin! I especially notice pretty dramatic effects after yoga classes where I’ve done inversions, getting more blood to my brain and head, and, yes, my skin.

Best Skincare for Aging Skin

Skincare Products. A few of today’s products, those found in drugstores and at the cosmetics counters at retail stores, are good and affordable. I prefer to use something proven as in Proven Skincare. 

Again, it’s a totally personal choice. 

Then there are the specialty skincare products that you might find at a dermatologist’s office or through a spa. Do your research.

Younger Looking Skin at 50

Learn about the products and what the certain ingredients, like retinol, are designed to do for your skin and its health. Then make your decision and stick to a dedicated regime. Don’t go to bed unless you’ve cleansed and treated your face/neck and chest area.

Skincare is just not your face. It’s not just slathering on a bunch of products and hoping for better skin. 

Skincare is a process. It involves many variables, both internal and external. Make a commitment to skincare. Stick with it. You’ll see results. 

Natural Care for Skin

Facials. Pamper Yourself. Start putting spare change in a jar and save for a twice a year professional facial. It’s worth the pampering. Plus, it really is like a simonizing car wax/detailing for your facial areas. Professionally trained estoticians know their craft and they can be of huge value to you.

Skin Care Tips

Medical Treatments. We live in an age now that safe laser treatments and other things have been developed to improve the skin, its elasticity, collagen production and more.

Then there are other procedures including fillers and botox—all of these things are personal decisions that you make based upon your needs and what you can afford and want to do.

Finding the best facilities, well-trained and experienced estheticians and medical professionals is paramount. Don’t go to a witch doctor just because they’re cheap. And, all of these type decisions are totally yours and your medical support team to make.

How to Keep Skin Young and Wrinkle-Free

Nothing beats keeping skin young and more beautiful than having loving and living a full life! The French call it ‘joie de vivre’!

Stay cheerful. Squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of life. Have an exultation of spirit, which can be sheer ‘joy’ of anything! Joy of conversation. Joy of eating. Joy of anything you might do!

Stay playful. Try not to stress out and worry. Yes, this does have an affect on your skin.