by Michele Krauss

Skin is the body’s largest organ, and it will change dramatically over a lifetime. A newborn’s outermost layer is pure and pristine. Teenage skin may ... More

by Michele Krauss

Skin is the body’s largest organ, and it will change dramatically over a lifetime. A newborn’s outermost layer is pure and pristine. Teenage skin may erupt with an onslaught of hormones, and older skin can give clues to how much we’ve laughed – think of those joyful little lines radiating from the corners of the eye, and what minor battles we may have been through – scrapes and scars each with their own story.

Taking care of your skin should be part of your daily routine, but that routine will probably differ greatly depending on the skin you’re in. To treat your skin the best, the old rules still apply: hydrate, use sunscreen and don’t smoke. Newer trends on the skin-care scene improve on those basics and give you more tools to keep your personal epidermis in tip-top shape.

Organic Intelligence

Purveyors of skin-care products have been heeding the call of nature and have put its best ingredients into their skin-saving potions. Who knew the garden held such fantastic secrets?

One Very Special Fungus

Several varieties of mushroom have been a mainstay in Eastern medicine for centuries, with practitioners hailing the lowly fungus for its anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a hot buzzword in skin-care circles, and products containing mushroom extracts supposedly soothe skin prone to inflammation. These mushroom extracts purportedly save collagen and block proteins known to cause the breakdown of cells that contribute to the appearance of aging skin.

Dr. Andrew Weil, known to some as the “father of anti-aging,” created a mushroom-infused skin-care line for Origins based on the idea that inflammation leads to the breakdown of cells and therefore leads to older-looking skin. Aveeno also uses extracts from mushrooms to hype its own Rejuvenating Serum.

Rescued by Raw Material

Bamboo is quite the hip material. Not only is it consumed by the masses in the form of lucky plants or an interior designer’s favorite raw product, it also displays antibacterial properties when woven into fabric. That translates into less irritation and itchiness. That same idea has been appropriated by skin specialists in the form of bamboo-based cleansers and scrubs.

Pomegranate Power

The antioxidant power of the pomegranate has been hiding in that delicious crimson juice for quite some time. Pomegranates contain the same antioxidant found in green tea and red wine. Antioxidants are a mainstay in skin-care, and the blood-colored seeds of this exotic fruit are packed with them. Murad features several products containing pomegranate and Fresh offers an in-flight kit with pomegranate cleansing towelettes.

A Lot Less is More

Earlier this year, The New York Times surprised some by uncovering a trend in skin-care advocated by no less than the city’s top dermatologists: skin-care minimalism. One dermatologist had her client bring in every skin-care product she used regularly – a bag brimming with at least twenty products. If only there were a photo of the client’s reaction when she was allowed to leave with only three.

It’s not our fault, really. Given the staggering number of products on the market, it’s no wonder that some of us accumulate an eye-popping number of creams, lotions, and gels. Go to the makeup counter for a simple cleanser, and you’ll also be encouraged to buy a toner, three different creams that combat special “problem areas,” and individual moisturizers for your neck, thighs, or feet. It can really get out of hand.

Cosmetics don’t go through the rigorous testing that prescription products do. So while you may think you’re doing right by your skin going home with an armful of expensive products, you may simply be draining your bank account just for fun.

Consumer Reports published a study on wrinkle creams in 2006 that concluded there was no correlation between a skin-care product’s price and effectiveness. A 12-week skin-care regimen using drugstore staple Oil of Olay was found to be more effective at reducing the appearance of wrinkles than a $135 tube of Stri-Vectin or a two La Prairie products totaling $335.

Dermatologists in the article agreed that all one really needs is soap, broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, and, if necessary, a product or two tailored to your skin’s specific needs. A lightweight moisturizer for oily skin, for example, or a heavier cream for drier types.

“I used to use so many products I couldn’t keep count,” says Susan Nelson, a sales rep from San Diego. “I thought all those products were targeting specific things, but after I pared down to the basics, my skin actually looked better. Oh, and I saved A LOT of money.”

Back to Basics

Of all the skin-care trends that have come and gone, the ones that have stood the test of time are also the most simple and life-affirming:

Hydrate - Drink lots of water. Your skin needs it, your body needs it. But being well-quenched will show up best in glowing skin. Beware of sugar-filled sodas or juices. The empty calories will not only do a number on your waistline, but also drain your skin of precious moisture.

Protect your skin from the sun - No excuses. No matter what your poison used to be – deep tanning lotion, cooking oil, nothing at all – those days are over. Using a good sunscreen daily should be as automatic as brushing your teeth. Sun damage is the biggest culprit in older-looking skin. If you really need a bit of bronze, reach for self-tanner. The latest formulas don’t smell anymore, and some may actually benefit your skin with their built-in moisturizers!

What’s your type? Definitely do take into account what type of skin you have: normal, oily or dry. Those who consider themselves to have sensitive skin are often using the wrong skin-type product. Don’t rule out a trip to a dermatologist to get the best recommendation.

Avoid stress - Yes, I know. Easier said than done. But chronic stress furrows brows and draws worry lines in deeper. Laugh more. Spend time in the company of people you genuinely like. Meditate. Transcend those skin-aging stresses with yoga. Nothing makes skin glow more than simply being at peace.