1. Slough away dead cells to reveal softer, more luminous skin. Even if you already use a physical exfoliator (a formula boasting scrubbing beads to buff your complexion), adding a chemical exfoliator to your regimen will make a big difference in the look and feel of your skin. Once a week (or twice, depending on how sensitive your skin is), skip using your usual serum or moisturizer, and replace it with a leave-on chemical exfoliator, like Le Weekend De Chanel Weekly Renewing Face Care, which uses ingredients like glycolic acid to exfoliate your skin deeply, cleansing your pores of dirt, oil, bacteria, and debris that can lead to breakouts, and rose water to help calm the skin as the exfoliator does its work. Just remember to apply sunscreen immediately afterward, since it will make your skin sensitive to the sun's rays.
2. Slather on SPF like it's your job. The sun causes a slew of issues from broken blood vessels to brown spots, so to keep your complexion looking its best, you need sunscreen even if you're not going to the beach. In fact, it's just as important to wear at least an SPF 50 formula, likeChanel UV Essentiel Complete Sunscreen UV Protection Anti-Pollution Broad Spectrum SPF 50, when it's cloudy, since as much as 80 percent of UV rays can pass through clouds, according to the Mayo Clinic.
3. Spend more time in the bedroom.Having more sex with your partner increases production of growth hormones, which strengthen the substructure of your skin and help tighten it, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, and leaving you fresh-faced. During sex, oxytocin is also released, explains Dr. Wechsler, counteracting the stress hormone cortisol, which breaks down collagen and dries out skin, making fine lines and wrinkles more prominent. Side note: You get better beauty sleep if you have an orgasm, Dr. Wechsler says, so there's that.
4. Get active. Working out helps you stay calm and balances cortisol's aging effects, Dr. Wechsler says. It also fights the onset of age-related disease, increases your lung capacity, boosts circulation to deliver nutrients to skin, and lowers inflammation (thanks to the beta-endorphins your body creates as you work out).
5. Go easy on the finishing powder. If you want your skin to look youthful and fresh, don't pile on too much powder, which can make your skin look dull and chalky. If your skin tends to be on the oilier side, dust pressed or loose powder on your T-zone only to mattify. TryChanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour SPF 15 for just the right amount of matte powder, plus added sun protection.
6. Multitask with a facial mask. Apply a mask, like Chanel Hydra Beauty Hydration Protection Radiance Mask. Whether you wear it to sleep and rinse it off in the morning, or just keep it on while you pick up around your apartment, a formula with good-for-you ingredients like shea and cocoa butters will tighten and moisturize the skin.
7. Eat your way to better skin. This isn't a PSA to give up your favorite junk food, but a well-balanced diet filled with lean protein (e.g. low-fat dairy products, white meat, eggs, lean beef) will fight hunger pangs, keep your mood stable, and blunt your stress levels, leading to your best skin ever. Protein is the building block for certain enzymes and hormones, including those that help skin glow.
8. Practice deep breathing. Deep breathing (inhaling through your nose, allowing your belly to completely fill, and exhaling through your mouth slowly) for even just a few minutes can lower stress levels and combat aging. If deep breathing isn't your thing, seeing your BFF in person rather than texting her or even petting your favorite four-legged friend can have the same calming effect.
9. Take a minute to relax. Even something as simple as smelling a lavender sachet, lighting a candle with a relaxing fragrance like vanilla or lavender, or taking a bubble bath can improve the look of your skin by calming your body and mind.
Model: Gabriella Lopez
Makeup: Colleen O'Neill
Hair: Ryan Trygstad
Stylist: Brandy Joy Smith
Clothing: Palm Print Crop Top, LIVE THE PROCESS; Palm Print Leggings, LIVE THE PROCESS; Black Bath Robe, L'AGENT BY AGENT PROVOCATEUR;Black and White Bath Towel, H&M; Ivory Silk Robe, JENNY PACKHAM; Light Blue Silk Romper, NAKED PRINCESS; Blue Silk Pajama Set, OLIVIA VON HALLE; White Tank Top, ALEXANDER WANG; Light-Wash Jeans, LEVI'S; Brown