How to youthfull your skin

Save your skin

All skin is not created equal, and no one has the same issues. That's why beauty expert Bobbi Brown has the know-how to answer everything skincare!

Beautiful eating

What can I add to my diet to keep my skin looking young?
 —Elizabeth Schneider, New York City

Bobbi: My derm told me that studies show people who eat vitamin-C-rich fruits and vegetables have fewer wrinkles—so load up on things like oranges, grapefruits, cauliflower, and broccoli. These foods are high in antioxidants to help fight the aging effects of sun, pollution, and time. She also said omega-3 fatty acids (think salmon and walnuts) will improve skin's elasticity. And don't forget to drink a lot of water; it's the number-one way I keep my skin looking its best.

Skin hydration

I have oily skin—should I moisturize my face?—Ashley Lewis, Philadelphia

Bobbi: Yes. Drying out oily skin sends a signal to your body to produce even more oil. Plus, most women are oily only in certain spots (like the T-zone), so you risk drying out areas like your cheeks and chin if you pass on moisturizing. Look for an oil-free product and apply a dime-size amount all over your face. You'll get a healthy dose of hydration without making your skin look slick.

A quick fix

I need a body moisturizer that is hydrating yet dries quickly. Any suggestions? — Jordan Wentz, Boston, MA

Bobbi: Some moisturizers sell themselves as "quick drying" but contain alcohol, which makes them less moisturizing -not what you want. Instead, go with a nongreasy, water-based moisturizer with humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin (ingredients designed to dry quickly while creating a moisture barrier on your skin). You can easily find one for less than $5! 

Fight the flakes

My skin is so dry lately that my makeup just flakes off. Help! —Haley Shook, Tempe, AZ

Bobbi: My derm suggested a solution and it really works: layering on moisturizers. I apply a lightweight hydrating cream, then I top it off with a thicker moisturizing balm.

Lightweight lotions are water-based, so if you follow them with a thicker cream, the heavier product will help seal in the moisture from the first lotion. Revive your foundation throughout the day by dabbing on a fast-absorbing face oil.

Get serious about sun spots

I’m in my 30s and already seeing age spots on my hands. Are they reversible?
—Ana Fernandes-Rodrigues, Newark, NJ

Bobbi: Let’s call them what they really are—sun spots. They’re caused by UV exposure (why sun worshippers may start seeing spots in their 20s). A foundation stick in your skin tone can hide spots, but to get rid of them, try an OTC lightener with hydroquinone or a prescription vitamin A–based cream like Renova. If that doesn’t work, ask your derm about laser resurfacing.

Get a younger face

Will a facial really make my skin look any younger? —Sarah Sobel, Charlotte, NC

Bobbi: Anything that exfoliates your face will make you look younger (by removing dead skin and uncovering fresher skin). You don’t have to go to a fancy spa to make your skin look better, though.

Once a month, I apply an exfoliating cleanser like Origins Never A Dull Moment to my face, then step into the shower (the steam loosens dead skin cells) for 10 minutes before rinsing.

Follow up with a hydrating cream.

Stop fighting with foundation

I hate the feel of foundation but like the coverage it offers my skin. Any tips? —Jessica Gargiulo, New York City

Bobbi: Nobody likes the feel of a heavy foundation against their skin, so I'll share a few secrets I've learned along the way. First, prep your skin with a moisturizer, then mix a drop or two of that moisturizer with your foundation in the palm of your hand.

Apply with your fingers for the sheerest coverage, then top with a loose powder, which will make the foundation feel more natural. Still not happy? Try a lightweight tinted moisturizer.

Conquer cream blush

I just tried a new cream blush and am slightly breaking out. Should I toss it? —Ally Betker, St. Louis

Bobbi: Before you throw it out, wait a week, then try it again. Your outbreak could be the result of other things (like washing your pillowcases in a new detergent or something you ate). If you notice any more bumps, though, skip that blush. And know it’s not a total loss—most cosmetic counters will take back a product if it’s causing you to break out.

Master moisturizer

In the morning, I feel a film on my face. Did my skin fail to soak up my night cream? —Lara Mendizza, Boston, MA

Bobbi: Chances are, the cream may be too rich or contain an ingredient that’s not penetrating your skin. Look for one with humectants (like glycerin and hyaluronic acid), which draw moisture into the skin, as opposed to occlusive ingredients that seal in moisture (such as petrolatum). Also, make sure you’re not overapplying (follow directions on the package), and that you’re using the right product for your skin type.

This little piggy needs a pedi

My feet are in bad shape. Any tips for getting them sandal-ready?—Carrie Jablonow, West Hollywood, Calif.

Bobbi: The best way to spring-clean feet is with a really good professional pedicure. But sometimes I just can’t make it to the salon, so I rely on home maintenance. Once a week, use a pumice stone to rub a mixture of coarse salt and olive oil onto your feet; rinse. Then, three times a week, layer on a rich moisturizing cream, followed by a barrier jelly like Vaseline; do this at bedtime, and sleep in a pair of old socks.

Transform household items

It’s been a long winter, and my skin is dry all over. What’s a good at-home moisturizing fix?—Pat Gillin, Broomall, Pa.

Bobbi: Salt! I keep kosher salt by my bathtub and mix it with equal parts shower gel before applying it with a pouf to dry patches on my skin. The key is to put the mixture on in the shower before you get wet. For super soft skin, I finish with a fast-absorbing body moisturizer.

Warm up your winter

How can I look less tired and washed out in winter?
—Michelle Symasek, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Bobbi: Use a tinted moisturizer, which covers imperfections but has undertones to warm up your complexion. Next, apply bronzer—it's not just for summer! Dust some on your forehead, nose, chin, and neck, then rub moisturizer between your hands and press them gently over your face to create a skin-like finish that's less matte and more natural looking.

Maintain your manicure

My nails chip as soon as I get them done. What are your tricks for making a manicure last?
—Emily Berry, Scottsboro, Ala.

Bobbi: First, keep your nails short so they're less likely to knock into anything. Second, use a good-quality polish. (I've never had a problem with Essie polishes.) My manicurist, Roza Israel, also suggests reapplying a top coat every night before bed to make the polish last longer and keep it looking shiny, too.Try Essie Super Duper Top Coat ($8; http://www.ulta.com)

Fix scaly skin

I've tried every lotion and moisturizer, but my skin is still dry. What should I do?
—Lisa Wyatt, San Francisco

Bobbi: When you have tried everything and nothing seems to work, I suggest using olive oil on your body. If your face is dry, switch from a face lotion to a face balm, and make sure to use moisturizing makeup like cream blush (like Topshop Make Up Blush in Pinch, $12; topshop.com) rather than a powder. Finally, this may sound obvious, but you should definitely drink more water, because skin also gets hydration from the inside.

The dry-skin hangover

"I drank too much last night, and my skin looks so dry. What should I do?"
—Nadina Bourgeois, New York City

Bobbi: As soon as you wake up, hydrate! (If you find it hard to drink lots of water on an empty stomach, try a sports drink.) Next, apply a rich moisturizer, and let it sink in while you get dressed. When it’s time for makeup, apply a pink-cream blush ($26, clarins.com); the dewy finish and pop of color make you look refreshed—even if you don’t feel that way.

Get soft and silky hands

All of a sudden, my hands seem rough, red, and just older looking. What’s the fix?
—Brooke Brokaw Ruddy, Johnston, Iowa

Bobbi: Regular manicures keep your hands in good shape; pick a sheer cream or beige polish instead of red hues, which can make hands look ruddier. I also suggest protecting your skin every day with a hand cream that has SPF. If your hands still look rough, rub on a little olive oil—it really works to moisturize and soften skin.

Beat itchy skin

"My face feels itchy after I spend time in the cold. What can I do?"
—Lisbeth Trevisan-Stille, West Caldwell, N.J.

Bobbi: The problem is that your skin is getting really dry, which is why it's irritated and itchy. Before you go out, apply your regular moisturizer and let it sink in; then smooth on a face balm ($9; target.com). The lotion moisturizes, while the balm—which is thicker and more occlusive—creates a barrier against the cold and wind that prevents your skin from drying out.
(sources: healthy magazine)