You know the ones, the celebrities that seem to defy the laws of age and gravity. Did they stumble upon the fountain of youth? How have they managed to look undeniably perfect for the last 20 years? My grandmother used to tell me Vaseline was the key to life. She also ate ice cream and drank a beer before bed every single night. While we are pretty sure that’s not the secret to celebrity skin, we thought maybe she was onto something and some of the best kept secrets may be things you already have on hand, and maybe, just maybe you don’t have to break the bank to get that celebrity glow. We did a little research and discovered a few of pro-tips to keep you looking ageless and flawless.
Sunscreen
We admit, this is not groundbreaking. We are in no way telling you it is, but no matter how many times we hear it, we know we forget to put it on at least 50% of the time. Like flossing is the key to keeping your teeth, sunscreen is the key to ageless skin.
No doubt Vitamin D is a necessity to your overall health—it definitely makes us happy—and having a healthy glow is a-okay, but too much sun leads to premature aging and rough, tough skin that will add years to your life.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays break down skin fibers, which cause it to sag and lose elasticity. Sunscreen is the first step in protecting the skin you have now and it’s never too late to start. SPF 50+ is a skin’s best friend.
Exfoliation
A lot of people know exfoliation leads to a natural turnover in your skin. But what a lot of people don’t know is that you can achieve this without spending a fortune. Use a washcloth. It is actually a fantastic way to exfoliate skin gently each night.
It removes dead skin cells and invigorates the live cells on your face. You do need to be gentle though.
If you ever wonder if nightly exfoliation works, look at Gwyneth Paltrow. While she is not using a washcloth, she swears by nightly exfoliation, and we have to admit, she looks good. And of course, regular bi-monthly facials, like a Hydrafacial are key to giving your skin an extra boost of exfoliation and cell turnover.
Beauty Rest: J. Lo Swears By It
We know, beauty rest is what your grandmother always said you needed, and you are probably rolling your eyes right now. If you are thinking, “Yes, I know I need sleep to look my best,” well, hear us out on the reason. It is vital to healthy, glowing skin.
When you’re sleeping your skin is best able to repair and regenerate itself. Melatonin, known for its antioxidants is produced at night, which keeps your skin healthy. Cortisone, which is associated with stress, and which causes acne and dull skin, actually decreases when you are sleeping giving skin a chance to glow again. The body also produces more collagen at night which minimizes fine lines. We also have it on good authority that Jennifer Lopez has a strict bedtime: 8 p.m. every night, and minimal to no alcohol. Let’s be honest, we’d probably give our right hand to look that good.
Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C: Brook Sheild’s BFF
We know, we know, these are the latest buzz words. They are in every product, and you can’t help, but hear about them. But guess what, combined they are incredibly effective for your skin. Brook Shields uses it religiously. Her secret is one of our favorite products: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum.
This serum is full of antioxidants, brightens the skin and helps with noticeable improvement in tone, texture and moisture levels. The hyaluronic acid holds 1000 times its weight in water and the Vitamin C helps to correct dark spots and lighten skin.
Healthy Diet
It is no secret that what you put in your body effects the way you look on the outside. Eating foods like tomatoes filled with Lycopene, the phytochemical that makes tomatoes red, helps boosts collagen strength—which gives skin its taut, youthful structure. Add in sweet potatoes for a more radiant glow than you would get from sun exposure. And eggs are one of the best beauty secrets. Rich in vitamin B, eggs help with hair growth, strengthen nails, and protect skin from acne, rashes, and even dryness.
Pro tip: Try these delicious Sweet Potato Cakes with Curried Tomato Sauce and Poached egg.
Go Bananas
Not only do bananas help your skin glow by eating them, mashing them up with oatmeal and flax seed, and leaving it on for 15 mins., will leave your skin calm, moisturized and glowing.
One of our favorite celebs, Anne Hathaway, also swears by bananas as the best moisturizing mask. Just add a 1 tsp. of honey and lemon juice, mixed with the bananas.
Rosehip Oil
Could the gorgeous, Cara Delevingne, be wrong? We think not. Add a little bit of rosehip oil to your daily moisturizer to give your skin an extra boost of radiance.
Rosehip oil moisturizes, promotes skin regeneration, reduces wrinkles and lightens dark spots, and it also helps with rosacea. It will also help even out skin tone leaving you with a brighter complexion.