The TOP 6 Anti-aging clear skin tips from a licensed cosmetologist

The other day as I was playing around on my iphone, I realized how much better I looked through a Snapchat a filter. Anyone else had that same epiphany? It was a little startling, actually. Do I really look as old as the regular camera lens shows? Don't I kind of look more like the girl where my skin is all smooth and dewy, with hearts and sparkling stars circling my head?

Though I've been told many times that I look much younger than my age, the truth is, our skin ages with us. Even though we shed millions of skin cells a day and continuously rejuvenate new ones, certain things about the cell regeneration process slows down as we age, and the lives we lived decades ago, suddenly shows up on our skin.

Knock. Knock. Remember when you were 16 years old, baking yourself in the sun like a pig-on-a-stick without a drop of sunscreen? Happy 40th Birthday, I'm 24 years of sun damage in the making. Nice to meet you, and I told you so.

No matter if you're 16 or 76, the way you treat your skin matters. And, like stalking an old boyfriend on every social media platform, it will eventually catch up to you.

How to prevent break-outs and premature aging with these top 6 professional skin care tips

I recently had the opportunity to meet with a group of women and teens, led by a local cosmetologist, who shared the best advice she'd gleaned from all her years in the field of health and beauty.

Here are her top 6 skin care tips for keeping skin healthy, clear and youthful:
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1. Do NOT sleep with your make-up on!

2. Use a soft, clean washcloth daily to cleanse skin morning and night with a mild cleanser 
(recommended: Fairface Washcloths with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, or Vanicream Gentle Cleanser)

3. Use a gentle toner after cleansing
(recommended: Neutrogena Alcohol-free toner, Witch Hazel Alcohol-free toner - scented; or Witch Hazel Alcohol-free toner - unscented - my personal favorite; and apply with Sky Organics cotton balls)

4. Use Benzoyl peroxide, 2.5, 5 or 10%, on blemishes morning and night 
(recommended: Acne Free Terminator 10, Benzoyl Peroxide 5% or Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment - my personal favorite).

5. Wear moisturizer and sunscreen every day 
(recommended: Vanicream Lite Lotion and Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion and for sunscreen, try Eucerin Daily Protection Face Lotion - Broad Spectrum SPF 30, or Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch

6. Change pillow cases weekly 2-3 times a week 
(recommended: silk pillow cases that protect skin and hair - choose from my personal favorites: Fishers Finery 25mm Luxury 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase , or Amazon's Choice:  100% Pure Mulberry Slip Silk Pillowcase . If you're not a fan of silk or want to rotate it with soft cotton, try these Organic Cotton Pillowcases


Though there are many advances in skin care products that promise to turn back the clock, it's much easier and less expensive to simply take charge of your skin now, so you don't have to worry about 24 years of sun damage crashing your 40th birthday party.

And if you're already 40, 50, 60 or 70? Start from where you. Any day you protect your skin from future damage is a gift to your skin and to your future self!


Note: She did acknowledge that for some, who have tried these steps and still can't get their skin clear or have special skin care needs, it may be time to visit a dermatologist for extra guidance.

*Disclaimer: Product recommendations linked and added for your convenience, to give you easy access to products we've tried and/ or recommend. If linked to Amazon, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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