I have a crush on a dermatologist. There I said it. But then I really love doctors, some people are star-struck I’m med-struck. But what really makes me swoon is when I meet a  dermatologist who gives great interviews. One of my all time favorite derms is Dr. Dennis Gross. Now that its really winter, the kind of cold that isn’t charming or atmospheric just draining, gray and making my skin itch I asked him how I can feel just a little bit better about my skin tone. I’m sharing his tips because they are as reassuring as smelling hyacinth in the dead of winter.

I’m 40 do I need to start to lay down big money on my face cream? I will if I have to.

A gentle daily peel is an anti-aging cure-all and if I had to recommend only one product this would be it! (Naturally he really likes his daily face peel product). The peel not only diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but helps complexion problems, balances oil, tones skin, increases clarity and provides microexfoliation. It’s gentle enough for everyday use so start as early as possible to reap its cumulative results.

Also, look for moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid, which actually brings water from the atmosphere into your skin, so it will look plumper and firmer. Hydration, both internally and externally, is key to maintaining that degree of plumpness. When skin is plump, lines and wrinkles are less apparent and enlarged pores look smaller.

Can eating certain foods, more than just drinking water really make my skin look younger?

There is no question that diet is important for your skin. What’s good for the heart is good for the skin. Skin requires essential fatty acidswhich are not naturally produced so eating things like avocado, cheese, dairy products on a daily basis can be beneficial.

I also recommend the tri-color salad approach. If you order a salad, make sure they are a bunch of different colors- red cabbage, green lettuce, etc. Eat vegetables that have a lot of color, nature color codes vegetables for us. The more colors you eat, the better.

What’s the one thing I should stop doing to improve the skin on my body?

It is important to understand that with very little effort, you can make a big difference. In general, don’t walk around in your sweaty clothes after exercising. Doing so may trap oil and bacteria in the skinwhich can lead to back acne. It is a good idea to shower and change your clothes immediately after an exercise session.

No matter how much cream I use, I feel like my skin is dry?

To lock in moisture close the bathroom door and let the steam build up while you shower. Afterwards, immediately moisturize in the steam.  More moisture is present in the atmosphere, which means your skin is able to draw in more moisture via the humectants in your lotion.  And try not shower in very hot water.  Hot water strips the skin of its own natural oils, leading to drying and possible irritation, which sounds like the cycle you’re caught in.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 4:30 pm and is filed under Tips to try and share with friends. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.