Considering the skin is your body's largest organ, it deserves to be in the spotlight. Is yours looking more drab than fab these days? Keep reading. We asked a panel of experts to weigh in on their secrets to having healthy, glowing, youthful complexion. Here are their top tips to help protect, preserve, and pamper the skin you're in.

ROUTINE RULES

“Utilizing proper skin care—and doing so daily—is important when it comes to preserving healthy skin. Obagi is a prescription skin-care line that [helps] patients achieve a more reflective, uniform look. It not only helps fade and keep sunspots away, but it also stimulates collagen and gives you a healthy glow. Five years after [using the products], patients have fewer lines than the day they started.”—Missey McCallum, RN and Owner, Dignity Medical Aesthetics, dignitymed.com

“Use a topical retinoid daily at bedtime. Also known as vitamin A creams, they include over-the-counter retinols and prescriptions, such as tretinoin and tazarotene. Why are they a must in my skin-care regimen? Because they treat and prevent acne, as well as increase collagen production and fight wrinkles. The trick is finding one you can tolerate and using a pea-sized amount on the entire face. Your dermatologist can help you decide what strength to start with.”—Alexandra R. Vaughn, MD, Dermatology Center of Northern California, norcaldermatology.com

“Regular exfoliation promotes softer skin texture, brightness, and allows the products you’ve invested in to absorb more effectively. Exfoliating two to three times a week with a gentle method is all you need!”—Tammie Fairchild, Founder and CEO, Serenity Spa | Soul Yoga, serenityspaonline.com 

“Vitamin C is one of the most popular ingredients in skin-care products. It’s trusted by dermatologists and estheticians and has been called a powerhouse skin-care ingredient for years, because it stimulates collagen production, evens skin tone, and reduces the appearance of brown spots and hyperpigmentation.”—Marcie Burke, Owner, ReBelle Beauty, rebelle-beauty.com

“Maintaining a healthy moisture balance is the umbrella over any skin-care routine. Avoid any products that leave your skin feeling tight, red, or where you must rush to moisturize to keep your barrier hydrated and strong.”—Tammie Fairchild, Founder and CEO, Serenity Spa | Soul Yoga, serenityspaonline.com

THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW

“Photofacials (also known as an IPL) can really clear your skin of brown spots and redness and leave you glowing! What’s more, studies show that patients who have an annual IPL have fewer skin cancers.”—Missey McCallum, RN and Owner, Dignity Medical Aesthetics, dignitymed.com

“Getting a resurfacing laser treatment once every year or two is a game changer in promoting a radiant complexion, erasing sun damage, and smoothing your skin’s texture.”—Alexandra R. Vaughn, MD, Dermatology Center of Northern California, norcaldermatology.com

BE SUN SMART

“Use sunscreen on your face 365 days a year! Find one you love (make sure it’s at least SPF 30 and contains a physical blocker, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) and use it as part of your morning routine. Doing so daily will keep your face radiant for years to come. My favorite is Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen.”—Alexandra R. Vaughn, MD, Dermatology Center of Northern California, norcaldermatology.com

“Not only does SPF help to prevent skin cancer, but it also plays a huge part in anti-aging and wrinkle prevention. The products from Colorescience are my absolute favorite, and they make a tinted option so you may not need the extra step of makeup.”—Marcie Burke, Owner, ReBelle Beauty, rebelle-beauty.com

“Protection from UV, blue light, infrared radiation, and pollution are critical to skin health and rejuvenation. One of my top recommendations for an all-mineral product that patients ‘want’ to wear is Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50. It’s been clinically proven to protect against all the [aforementioned] aggressors and comes in four tone-adapting shades.”—Christopher Ha, MD, FAAD, Board Certified Dermatologist, Roseville Dermatology, rosevillederm.com

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

“What we eat can help create an external difference. Consuming plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and seasonal foods containing iron (which acts as a natural blood purifier) will help create a radiant glow.”—Tammie Fairchild, Founder and CEO, Serenity Spa | Soul Yoga, serenityspaonline.com

“Be kind to yourself! It can go a long way when it comes to wellness and your overall health. Your skin is your body’s largest organ and works hard to keep you going. Remember to stop and give it extra love daily. Every morning when you wake up, take a minute to be grateful for the skin you’re in and how beautiful you are from the inside out.”—Marcie Burke, Owner, ReBelle Beauty, rebelle-beauty.com  

by Melissa Strand 

Photo Allistair/peopleimages.com - stock.adobe.com.