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5 Things Every Woman Should Do For Better Skin

Minimum effort, maximum results.
Lisa Capretto

In the quest for better skin, some people turn to extreme measures in hopes that big efforts will also yield big results. But you don't have to shell out a ton of cash, time or energy to get brighter, healthier, glowing skin, says dermatologist Jessica Wu. As she tells #OWNSHOW, making a few small changes to your daily habits can have a huge impact on how your skin looks not just now, but also in the future.

1. Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables.

We often hear about the health benefits of eating lots of dark green veggies, but don't forget about all the wonderful colorful produce, Wu advises. "Brightly colored fruits and veggies contain carotenoids," she explains. "Research shows that eating more of them can actually help your skin tone look brighter and more glowy."

2. Wear big sunglasses.

Ditch the Lennon-like shades and instead channel your inner Audrey Hepburn. "Choose large, glamorous frames that help to shield that delicate area around your eyes from UV rays," Wu says. "It will also protect the collagen in that think-skinned area."

3. Treat your chest like your face.

With the focus on the face, we often neglect another important area. "The chest is an indicator of a person's age because sun damage and discoloration -- and just normal aging -- can make your chest look really weathered," Wu says. "Any product that you use on your face, whether it's skincare and anti-aging product or especially sunscreen, you should also use on your chest as well. Just remember to do a small patch test on your chest, because the skin there can be a little more sensitive than the rest of your body."

4. Sleep on your back.

Sleeping with your face smashed against a pillow might have been fine when you were a kid, but now, it creates creases that seem to linger long after you wake. "When you were younger, your skin had a lot of elasticity, so it bounced back into position as soon as you woke up. Not so now that you're older," Wu says. "Sleeping on your back will help prevent those sleep creases from turning into deep, permanent wrinkles."

5. Stop drinking from a straw.

Similar to smoking, drinking from a straw can create vertical lines above your upper lip, Wu says. "Anything that makes you pucker your mouth, it makes the muscles crease the skin. Over time, as you lose elasticity, those lines become deeper and more permanent," she explains. "Instead, it's better to drink from a regular cup."

Related: What your skin needs most in your 30s, 40s and 50s

Also on HuffPost:

Worst Foods For Your Skin
The Skin Saboteur Hiding In Plain Sight At Every Backyard BBQ(01 of04)
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Heating meat at high temperatures produces a chemical reaction between the fat and protein that results in compounds called "advanced glycation end products" (AGES). These AGES are aptly named, says Dattner, because they're linked to oxidative stress and inflammation that can make your skin look ruddier, duller and more wrinkled -- older, in general. (AGES can also increase your risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.) These compounds are found in French fries, potato chips, deep-fried chicken and other foods that have been cooked in oil at extremely high temperatures. What's more, Dattner says, is that AGES can interact with UV rays and wreak havoc on the skin.

Try this: You don't need to go on a raw-food diet, but it might not be a bad idea to eat grilled foods in moderation (deep-fried, too, but you knew that). (credit:Shutterstock)
The Wholesome Drink That's Linked to Acne(02 of04)
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Studies linking the consumption of dairy to breakouts date back to the 1960s. In fact, doctors used to treat acne by recommending patients give up milk, says Alan Dattner, MD, a holistic dermatologist who practices in New York and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). But then, as medication to treat pimples became more effective and available, Dattner says, there was less of a focus on preventing breakouts through dietary changes. That didn't stop the evidence (and the anecdotes) from piling up over the years, and in 2010, an influential research review published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found an association between dairy consumption and acne. Now the AAD suggests that acne sufferers talk to their dermatologist about limiting dairy to see if that helps.

Try this: Consider cutting back on skim milk, Dattner says, which has shown the strongest link with skin flare-ups. (Yogurt seems to have the weakest effect.) (credit:Barry Yee via Getty Images)
The Snacks That Can Inflame Your Skin (While They Inflate The Rest Of You)(03 of04)
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When a team of nutritionists and dermatologists reviewed the scientific connection between food and skin, they came away with a pretty compelling case against a high-glycemic diet. Eating a lot of sugar (raisins, soda, honey, agave nectar) or simple carbs (bagels, pasta, cupcakes) can throw off your insulin levels, which can lead to inflammation both inside the body as well as on your face, explains Dattner. (Bonus: Giving up sweets and starches can also help you lose weight).

Try this: Dattner suggests that those plagued by pimples avoid sugary cereals, which often have a higher glycemic index than both sugar and simple carbs alone. (credit:Shutterstock)
The Little Bags Of Salty Goodness That Cause Little Bags Of Puffy Sadness(04 of04)
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Many brands of chips, crackers and popcorn are loaded with sodium, which can cause water retention. If you're prone to puffiness all over, it will be most noticeable under the eyes, because the skin there is very thin, and it doesn't take much to cause swelling. Dattner adds that these kinds of greasy snacks are likely to have been cooked at high temps, and thus contain AGES, which could result in a double-whammy of puffiness and redness.

Try this: Roasted, unsalted mixed nuts can satisfy your snack craving without the side effects. (credit:Shutterstock)
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