Today's Article

"They don't treat it with the same respect sometimes as they do their internal organs."

Skin not only protects your body, but keeping it healthy can also slow the 2aging process. The first and most important common skin mistake made is not protecting your body from the sun. Not only does 3exposure to UV rays cause 4damage that could 5lead to cancer, but it's also a cause of early aging. Wear and reapply a high-quality, mineral-based, broad-spectrum sunscreen, even when it's cold outside, says Dr. Nicholas Sinclair with Cleveland Clinic. 

"I think sometimes people get into a little bit of trouble when they're out in scenarios like skiing in the wintertime or doing yard work things that they don't think about as a high sun exposure activity." 

Sinclair says, the next mistake is smoking. It, too, raises cancer risk but can also cause 6premature wrinkles and facial aging by 7restricting 8blood flow, which can 9deprive skin of 10oxygen. A final mistake: not having a good skincare routine. Sinclair recommends a three part 11regimen with some sort of 12antioxidant, like a vitamin C serum that should be applied in the morning. A gentle cleanser: one that cleans but isn't 13abrasive. And finally, a retinoic acid, which should be put on at night to increase collagen and 14cell 15turnover. 

"It does not need to be expensive. It does not need to be fancy. There are some great brands, and it really doesn't need to be an 16over the topregimen."