As the saying goes, step out into the world and put your best face forward. Okay, that's not quite how it goes, but it should be. Your face is what people see first and remember last. Just makes sense you putting effort to make it the best face possible! Without getting too specific (and likely overwhelming) here are tips to take care of that beautiful face of yours!

From special bar soaps to exotic secret formulations, marketing aimed toward improving your facial appearance occupies a billion-dollar industry. Yet, you and I would like to just hear the basics; what I need to do day-to-day to take care of my face. The best products, the best actions to make it appear healthy, glowing, and beautiful. Then once I figure it out, I aim to make my facial care so routine and regular it's downright boring. A worthy goal.

Turns out some of the tips your mother gave you were right. Well, first above all else, goes without saying, put a smile on your face like she told you! Then never ever wash your face with a general soap. And whatever you do for your face, do for your neck and decollete. And don't go to bed with your make-up on! It really is important to cleanse your face twice a day, morning and night. And the products you chose, well, that's up to you. You do you!

On your face

Why no soap? Because it is horribly drying and you probably already know that age brings thinner and dryer skin. Keep the water temperature low as you cleanse, not hot. Look for facial cleansers that are specially formulated to be non-drying. And you will still need a moisturizer daily and for most of us, nightly as well. Another good habit depending on your skin type is regular exfoliation, that is, removing the dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin. That may be accomplished with special sponges (remember Buff-Puff!) or serums like glycolic acid. However, that is not for everyone and could do more harm than good if not done gently and followed with moisturizer.

What's most important here is knowing your skin so you can choose the correct products. But, if you need a place to start, certainly go with a retinol product, a Vitamin A formulation that is the gold standard of anti-aging products. Probably the most studied of all skin care products, retinol formulas have been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, smooth out the fine lines, and diminish dark spots for an overall firmer, smoother, and more even skin. But it doesn't happen overnight so a good time to start is now!

In your face

Arguably more important that what you put on your face is what goes in your face, er, in your mouth actually. The gut-skin axis is a real thing and simply put the health of your gut, or lack thereof, shows on your face. Despite how we usually think of bacteria, these organisms live in the gut and on the skin and play a major role in maintaining health. A balanced micro-organism environment in the gut is necessary to good health and an imbalance (which we call dysbiosis) can create puffiness, redness, or inflammation on the skin, especially on the face. The best way to maintain that balance is of course a healthy diet. Eating the rainbow, a diverse range of fruits and vegetables, is a great way to nourish the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut are helpful. Careful attention to fiber intake is also essential. And don't fear fat! Good fats, like fatty dairy products (cream, cheese), supply vitamins A and D necessary to build elasticity in the skin. The bad actors are the usual ones: fried foods, processed foods, and sugar. For me, I know well that chocolate cake on Sunday is going to show up on my face on Monday!

In terms of supplements, there is some science that says the use of collagen peptides orally may improve skin moisture, elasticity, and wrinkles. The lines on your face represent primarily a loss of collagen so increasing collagen production is important. Your body produces less collagen as we age but cannot do so without Vitamin C so be sure your intake is adequate even if you have to supplement. A diet rich in high quality protein is also beneficial to collagen production.

One supplement that has received a lot of attention lately is probiotics. Probiotics are meant to restore the normal balance of bacteria in the gut. Although not well regulated, there are a number of over-the-counter probiotics that have been shown to be useful. However, you might want to address this issue with your health-care provider who can help you decide if these are right for you.

But, probably the most beneficial and the simplest answer to vibrant, glowing skin is maintaining hydration! Water helps at every level of the gut-skin axis. And don't even think about counting that water in sugary beverages! Water with fresh lemon juice is the best way to go here. In addition to drinking water, you may choose to keep a humidifier around from time to time. Your skin is able (especially if you add hyaluronic acid to your regimen) to actually drink from a moist environment!

Other concerns

Remember back in the day when you spiked the bottle of baby oil with iodine and went out to soak up the rays! Yeah, me too. But now that we are much wiser, we know what sun does to our skin. So, scarves, and hats, and shade. And sunscreen of course. Just don't leave home without it! But you know that.

All the ways you know to improve your overall health will ultimately improve your skin. You already know how important sleep is. I suspect you've witnessed for yourself how a lack of sleep shows on your face in puffiness, especially "eye bags," and deeper lines and wrinkles. It's hard to hide a bad night's sleep and we ought always to prioritize sleep. Ditto exercise. Get moving! Exercise stimulates digestion and provides the blood supply you need to build collagen and support a healthy microbiome in the gut and therefore the skin. You know that old axiom "Get your beauty sleep?" Turns out it's true!

You've probably also noted how the ravages of stress show up on your face. Stress management techniques such as breathing exercises, targeted body movements, journaling, and meditation should be an essential part of your plan to keep your complexion vibrant. Be sure to realize the importance of community with your fellow queenagers to help you with the stress of life! We all have certain stressors in the next third of life and togetherness and sharing can go a long way toward comforting us.

In conclusion...

Ok, I'll admit it. I do not get into my Jeep unless my make-up is in place. Grocery store, gym, yes, just to go a-cruising. However, that won't really matter unless I've made every effort to do the fundamentals to keep my skin healthy. To put my best face forward! Knowing you're wearing your best face can do so much to brighten your day, to enhance your self-esteem, to make you feel like the healthy, strong, and beautiful queen-ager you are! Consider what that means to you. What does your face say about you? What steps do you need to take to show off your beautiful face? To change up your skin care routine? To eat healthier? Exercise? Supplements? You do you! With your very best attempt to face the world!

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